Transformational industry leaders from VF Corp and Outdoor Research to forward mission of workplace inclusion, equity, and diversity.
Boulder, Colo. (October 15, 2020) – Camber Outdoors, a national nonprofit working to equip corporate partners with the strategy and tools to achieve workplace inclusion, equity, and diversity across the outdoor recreation economy, announces longstanding board members Michelle Wardian, President at Outdoor Research, and Reginald Miller, VP of Global Inclusion and Diversity at VF Corp, will serve as co-presidents of Camber’s Board of Directors effective January 1, 2021.
“We are all grateful to Steve Meineke, Operating Partner at Roundhouse Collective, who led our Board through a critical organizational update and in this year of meaningful industry engagement,” said Emily Newman, Executive Director of Camber Outdoors. “I look forward to working closely with Michelle and Reggie to impact systems change at scale and support our committed corporate partners across the industry.”
“I am grateful to serve Camber Outdoors alongside Reggie Miller as Co-President and support those in our industry who are committed to action in equity and inclusion,” said Wardian. “Camber Outdoors, led by Emily Newman, has the organizational knowledge and operational expertise to help companies evaluate and improve their process and policies, and work towards even higher performance. We have to take deliberate action to make change happen and I’m humbled to help Camber in the years to come.”
More than 11,000 employee members are currently active with Camber Outdoors’ programming including the Workplace Anti-Racism Action Agenda LEARN + ACT + CHANGE framework launched earlier this year, the Camber Workplace and Employee Surveys built in partnership with Claremont Evaluation Center, the Diverse Talent Pipeline Employer Learning Sprint, the Ann Krcik Professional Mentoring Program, and the Building Blocks of DEI, a “block-by-block” learning journey to support high-performing, inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplaces.
“My dedication to this critical work with Camber Outdoors is a direct reflection of VF Corp’s commitment to our employees,” said Miller. “As we’ve been recently named one of the Top 50 Places to Work for Women and Diverse Managers for the third year in a row, it’s important to remember that this was made possible through leadership and action, two main areas where corporate partners can evoke true change.”
Brands are invited to learn more about becoming a corporate partner to gain access to year-round survey insights, tools, and learning resources that support their active engagement in building inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplaces. For additional information, please visit camberoutdoors.org.
About Michelle Wardian
With 30 years of supply chain experience in the outdoor/active industry, Michelle Wardian currently serves two executive leadership roles within Youngone Corporation’s global portfolio. Michelle was appointed President of Outdoor Research in July 2016. Since joining Outdoor Research, she has focused on building a culture of engagement, operational excellence, and innovation. In addition to Wholesale, International and Direct to Consumer channels, Outdoor Research employs over 500 people in their U.S. manufacturing divisions located in Seattle and Los Angeles. Michelle also serves as a key executive within Youngone Corporation. She has spent the last 24 years overseeing the North American Liaison office and expanding Youngone’s customer portfolio and customer service strategy. As a member of a multinational corporation, Michelle has a deep appreciation of belonging to diverse and interdependent international teams. This experience inspired her interest in Camber and their efforts to amplify diversity and inclusion in the active-outdoor industry.
About Reggie Miller
Reginald J. Miller is the Vice President, Global Inclusion, and Diversity at VF Corporation where he directs, develops and operationalizes the company’s global I&D strategy with a focus on transformational change. Throughout his career, Reggie has worked in a variety of different disciplines including supply chain, merchandising, international project management and multiple disciplines within human resources. Prior to joining VF, he was the Director, Diversity Strategy and Support, responsible for the D&I strategy, reporting, and consultation for all Walmart stores in the U.S. and was a recruiter and D&I leader at Tyson Foods. He also was an instructor and faculty administrator for the University of Phoenix for several years.
About Camber Outdoors
Camber Outdoors is dedicated to increasing inclusion, equity, and diversity throughout the workplaces that comprise the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy. Founded in 1996 to promote leadership and advancement opportunities for women, the organization responded to evolving needs of the industry—which currently employs more than seven million individuals—and moved in 2018 to provide systemic operational supports that promote inclusion, equity, and diversity across communities who have been persistently underrepresented in the workplaces of the outdoor recreation economy. To learn more about Camber Outdoors, visitwww.camberoutdoors.org.
