Bath & Body Works hires Kelie Charles as Chief Diversity Officer

By Amanda Pauley | Published: 31-Oct-2022

The American retail brand has appointed The Home Depot’s former Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as its new diversity officer

Bath & Body Works has appointed Kelie Charles as its VP Chief Diversity Officer.

Charles will be the principal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leader and strategist for the US-based beauty retailer.

She will work with associates and senior leadership to continue the company’s journey to “becoming a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation” said Bath & Body Works. 

Charles has been tasked to further develop, resource and accelerate the company’s DEI strategies and enterprise-level programmes.

These aim to promote and advance a high-performing, diverse and inclusive workforce.

"I am thrilled to join Bath & Body Works. The company has a strong foundation rooted in a commitment to DEI," Charles told Cosmetics Business.

"Working closely alongside our associates and leadership, I look forward to continuing to guide [the company's] journey to becoming an even more diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation.”

Charles previously worked at home improvement retail corporation The Home Depot for ten years.

Charles was previously Senior Director of DEI at The Home Depot

Charles was previously Senior Director of DEI at The Home Depot

As Senior Director of DEI, she led its DEI strategy, programmes and initiatives for associates, communities and suppliers.

Her accomplishments include devising strategies for the professional development of diverse associates and strengthening talent management processes to be more inclusive. 

Charles also has five years of buyer experience at US retail corporation Target under her belt. 

Deon Riley, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bath & Body Works, commented: “We believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us stronger, and it is one of our core values as a company.

“Kelie brings a deep experience in this area to help forward this work for our organisation.”

Earlier this year, Bath & Body Works reported record sales as its CEO Andrew Meslow stepped down

Former Tiffany & Co boss Alessandro Bogliolo was then appointed to Bath & Body Works Board of Directors in March. 

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