Women in Leadership with AI Driven Engagement

Velda Mcrae-Yates

Active Term: 01/2026 - 01/2027

Areas of Expertise

• Inspiring Emotional Intelligence
  
• Driving Ideas, Intellectual Growth & Transformation
  
• Transformational Vs. Transactional Leadership
  
• Organizational Leadership & Cultural Diversity

Chief Human Resources Officer

Peabody Essex Museum

Velda McRae-Yates joined PEM in 2023 as Chief Human Resources Officer.

With over 25 years of experience across sectors including higher education, healthcare, finance, high tech, and nonprofit media, Velda is adept at strategic visioning, DEI, process improvement, and staff development. At PEM, she focuses on strengthening a welcoming culture, strategic partnering with executive leadership and managers while enhancing the employee experience.

Prior to joining the museum, Velda served as the Director of Enterprise Staffing and Support for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Her extensive career also includes roles at the WGBH Educational Foundation, The Boston Company, and Mellon Trust.

Velda holds a BS in Organizational Behavior and an MS in Applied Management from Lesley University, as well as a Doctorate in Organizational Development and Change from Union Institute and University. A Cornell Certified Diversity Practitioner, she has also served as board chair for the Affinity Leadership Consortium and as a trustee for Montserrat College.

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