Speakers
Merridth Simpson is the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In this role she leads the strategic development and implementation of the Institution’s diversity and inclusion strategy, impacting nearly 14,000 faculty and staff. Merridth ensures that diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency are essential components of the Institution’s core missions of research, education and patient care.
Merridth’s key responsibilities include building a diverse and inclusive culture that encompasses all hospitals, clinics and labs; educating and equipping leaders; and identifying and removing barriers to the success of diversity and inclusion initiatives. Merridth collaborates with human resources to develop strategies for talent management, and partners with communications and marketing departments to help guide institutional branding. Merridth leads the Institution in leveraging diversity and inclusion to improve patient care, promote equity of care, eliminate health disparities, educate the next generation of doctors, and impact advancements in medical research. Her efforts have also brought D&I recognition to the Institution including several industry awards.
Prior to joining UT Southwestern, Merridth held numerous leadership positions at Raytheon, an aerospace and defense contractor, in their Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) business segment. During her 12 years with Raytheon, Merridth held senior management positions spanning engineering operations, human resources, and diversity and inclusion.
Leading engineering operations she managed an operational budget of $26M capital and labor, and handled workforce planning of nearly 3,000 scientists and technical professionals. As the engineering liaison to human resources she was instrumental in streamlining the unit’s performance and development processes and employee engagement programs. She also spearheaded community outreach efforts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). As diversity and inclusion lead, Merridth implemented a robust diversity and inclusion strategy; established core training; grew the maturity of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs); and steered several diversity councils. Her efforts earned her the Raytheon IIS President’s Inclusion Award and later the Raytheon IIS Women Who Soar Award.
Merridth is a member of the Society for Diversity, Executive Women in Texas Government, and Society of Women Engineers. She has been recognized by Dallas Business Journal’s Women on the Move. Merridth is active in the community, serving on the board of the YMCA at Lakewest in Dallas, and as Vice President of the Women’s Auxiliary at Living Waters Ministries in Mesquite, TX. Merridth has also volunteered her time to Dress for Success®, serving as an image consultant and an ambassador for the organization.
Merridth is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Relations and Business. She has been married for 21 years, and is a proud mother of three children.