APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The City of Appleton has hired a new diversity and inclusion coordinator.
Karen Nelson is expected to start her new role on Monday.
Mayor Tim Hanna explains what the position entails.
“To help us be more aware of the growing diversity within our community and to attract a deeper pool of talent for the number of vacancies we know we’re going to have over the next several years.”
Nelson has more than 25 years of experience in managing diversity in private sector organizations.
Hanna says that helped her stand out in a field of applicants.
“Because of the specific experience she’s had doing this type of work in the corporate world for very large corporations.”
In her most recent position, Nelson served as the lead consultant for NelStar Leadership and Diversity Consulting.
Prior to that, she worked as the corporate diversity manager for Shaw Industries and as manager of cultural diversity for General Electric Medical Systems.
Hanna says the position, first implemented in Appleton in 1997, has been vacant since Kathy Flores resigned last year.
He notes the city has been looking to fill the position since, and that Nelson’s hiring was not prompted by any recent controversial issues, such as May’s officer-involved shooting at Jack’s Apple Pub.
“Those incidents that happened in Appleton didn’t create any more urgency or less urgency. When things like that happen, yeah, it would be nice to have someone in this position.”
Hanna weighs in on the current state of relations between city leaders and various groups in the community.
“I would say it’s actually very good. We maintain a very good relationship with various ethnic groups. I interact with them personally on a regular basis. They know that they can call me and they can call my office any time they have any issues.”
Nelson received her executive master in business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, after getting her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina.
