By: Jon Stojan

In an era when business leaders must adapt faster than ever, Teedra Bernard emerges as a significant influence in the transformation of HR practices. She is a Senior HR Executive, Entrepreneur, Mom, and Wife, who merges strategic thinking with a deeply personal approach to leadership. With over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, ranging from financial services to technology, Teedra has consistently challenged traditional models. Her unique blend of empathy, business-savvy insight, and people-centric innovation has positioned her as an important voice in HR circles and beyond.

Teedra’s story begins with a passion for engineering. She initially pursued Computer Engineering at Michigan State University. Despite a few setbacks, she found a pivotal role in sales that helped develop her professional confidence. After a successful stint in pharmaceutical sales, Teedra transitioned into administrative and HR-focused positions at major organizations, quickly discovering a deep connection with human resources.

Her determination led her to New York University (NYU) for graduate studies. Despite facing challenges with her undergraduate GPA, Teedra’s authentic admissions essay caught the attention of an admissions director, granting her conditional acceptance. She not only met the conditions but excelled, graduating with a 3.8 GPA while working full-time, underscoring her strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning.

The Rise of a Transformative HR Executive

Teedra’s HR career gained momentum as she embraced roles in Mergers & Acquisitions, Talent Development, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). Over the years, she has:

• Led complex M&A processes, integrating large global teams and prioritizing employee well-being.

• Built HR teams from the ground up, supporting organizations with sizes ranging from 3,000 employees to more than 300,000.

• Developed DEI frameworks that advanced corporate initiatives into actionable strategies, such as linking executive compensation to DEI goals.

Teedra’s leadership style is people-first yet data-driven, balancing empathy with strategic acumen. She navigates challenging conversations with care and clarity, particularly during pivotal events like the George Floyd tragedy, which prompted her to advocate for substantive, board-level commitments to diversity and inclusion.

Empathy-Driven Leadership and Personal Values

As a wife, mother, and proud sneaker collector, Teedra brings her authentic self to work every day. She is determined to demonstrate that executives don’t have to conform to a rigid mold; they can embrace personal passions while leading significant business initiatives. Her empathy-driven approach has proven invaluable, especially during the pandemic and The Great Resignation, where she helped stabilize HR teams and champion employee well-being.

Teedra’s professional milestones include:

• Serving as Chief Talent & Diversity Officer at a major credit bureau, where she initiated a new Center of Excellence to integrate DEI principles into the employee lifecycle.

• Leading global HR functions during tech transformations, resulting in board approval for division-wide changes.

• Receiving industry recognitions such as acknowledgment as a Chief Diversity Officer and HR leader in the tech sector.

• Engaging in board memberships in exclusive organizations, where she uses her platform to advocate for social impact, mentoring, and inclusive policies.

Challenges, Triumphs, and Lessons Learned

Teedra’s path included meaningful challenges. Balancing family responsibilities, like caring for her nieces during her sister’s health struggles, while leading transformative HR strategies, tested her resilience. Yet, these experiences contributed to her personal and professional growth. Her journey highlights key lessons:

• Value Authenticity: Difficult encounters or setbacks can open new paths if one remains receptive to learning and change.

• Balance Data and Empathy: Use metrics to guide decisions, but never lose sight of the human element.

• Understand the Business Case for DEI: Linking DEI goals to executive outcomes reinforces the importance of inclusion.

• Commit to Lifelong Learning: From self-teaching engineering basics to completing an accelerated master’s program, Teedra continues to invest in personal and professional development.

Entrepreneurship and Future Goals

Alongside her corporate achievements, Teedra’s entrepreneurial spirit is clearly evident. She co-owned two high-end barbershop franchises in Houston, creating employment opportunities for her retired father and nieces. She also co-owns an investment capital firm focused on medium and long-term financial ventures. Recently, she launched New Wave Human Capital, an advisory firm dedicated to helping businesses refine their HR strategies with agility and authenticity.

Her future aspirations include serving as a Chief People Officer or Chief Human Resource Officer who prioritizes innovation and inclusivity. By combining corporate expertise with entrepreneurial insights, she aims to contribute to a broader reimagining of HR leadership.

Teedra is preparing to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for prostate cancer, further demonstrating her commitment to making a positive difference inside and outside the workplace. She views each challenge as an opportunity to model resilience, empathy, and engagement.

Her advice to future leaders? “Embrace who you are, align your work with your values, and stay committed to learning and growth.” This philosophy remains central to her approach in HR, entrepreneurship, and every area of her life.

As she continues her journey, Teedra Bernard represents a dynamic example of leadership that blends results with humanity, helping to redefine corporate environments for a more inclusive future.

Published by Jeremy S.