Rodney S. Patterson, CEO

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With over 30 years of experience, Rodney Patterson is one of the nation’s most effective and engaging diversity and inclusion facilitators. He served as the chief curriculum designer and lead facilitator for the Learner’s Group’s successful NCAA advanced diversity education programs. Mr. Patterson’s numerous corporate roles include his former position as Corporate Diversity Officer for CoBank and Diversity Resource to Farm Credit System’s four largest Banks. Previously, Mr. Patterson served as President of Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago, IL, and Director of Inclusion and Talent Management at the executive search firm, Hudson Highland.

Mr. Patterson was the former Assistant to the Vice President for Multicultural Development and Director of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs for Michigan State University. He designed and oversaw the implementation of a comprehensive diversity and inclusion model that successfully served MSU’s entire campus enterprise. He served in a similar capacity at the University of Vermont. Mr. Patterson has had the privilege of serving as a consultant and facilitator for training and development for several Fortune 500, 100, and 50 organizations, governmental, non-profit, and social services agencies.

Mr. Patterson has served as a consultant with many large, multinational corporate clients, including General Mills, Bank of America ,and Mercer. Mr. Patterson has also worked with professional sports franchises, the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets on diversity matters. His consulting services with professional sports organizations ranged from working with the team’s ownership and executive management to coaches, staff, and the professional athletes themselves. Mr. Patterson serves on the Board of Directors at Madonna University, the Agriculture Futures of America, and the Denver Seminary.

Mr. Patterson has been certified as a trainer/facilitator with several major companies, including ProGroup, Inc., Advanced Research Management Corporation (ARMC), Stir Fry Seminars, and Carlson Learning Company. In addition to his work in higher education, Mr. Patterson also served as the Assistant to the Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Vermont’s largest city. 

Recently, Mr. Patterson republished his book, "Trumping the Race Card: A National Agenda - Moving Beyond Race and Racism."