Dr. Cherise Crenshaw-Holmes is an influential and collaborative senior executive with a strong track record in driving organizational transformation and leading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With a passion for fostering high-performance cultures and creating inclusive work environments, Cherise has built a reputation as a leader who aligns people strategies with business goals to drive measurable success. In her most recent role as the Head of Culture and DEI at Invitae, Cherise spearheaded initiatives that embed DEI into the company’s core infrastructure, resulting in increased engagement scores and greater representation in leadership.

In 2020. Dr. Crenshaw-Holmes founded Modern Work Consultancy, partnering with organizations to implement DEI strategies that lead to lasting change. Through expert coaching, innovative training programs, and strategic counsel, Cherise empowers leaders to foster inclusive environments where all employees can thrive. By designing custom leadership programs that focus on allyship, bias mitigation, and identity awareness, Cherise drives organizations to attract and retain diverse talent while building a sense of belonging.

In previous roles, Cherise has served as Director of DEI at McCann Worldgroup, playing a pivotal role in developing and executing multi-year DEI strategies that improved workforce diversity metrics and enhanced employee engagement. At Spotify, she helped to scale the company’s global diversity, inclusion, and belonging programs, driving the expansion of Employee Resource Groups and improving diversity metrics across regions. Her ability to leverage data-driven insights has been key to refining strategies and delivering impactful results across diverse teams.

A recognized thought leader in corporate culture and change management, Cherise is frequently called upon to share expertise at industry conferences and events. Her insights on employee engagement, DEI, and strategic people management have been highlighted at the Digital Summit Conference, Tech Inclusion Conference, and in numerous podcasts and articles. Cherise's ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and purpose has positioned her as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and stakeholders across industries.

Cherise holds a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Spelman College. With certifications in coaching and expertise in utilizing tools such as Power BI, Culture Amp, and Workday, Cherise is a versatile leader committed to fostering environments where diversity, equity, and inclusion thrive.