Kaela Blanks

Kaela Blanks (she/they) is an HR-centered JEDI knight, ERG evangelist, and organizational changemaker who takes a pragmatic and sustainable approach to cultivating inclusive workplace cultures. With experience rooted in strategic HR and talent management, they have led justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) practices by developing ERG strategy, optimizing DE&I councils, and aligning inclusion-focused objectives to core organizational goals. Their passion for “meeting people where they are” leverages an approachable coaching style to foster growth and development of ERG leaders, allied business leaders, and inclusive HR practitioners.

 

Their work has spanned industries, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and contractors, non-profits, and small businesses. She specifically excels at aiding U.S. multi-state and global organizations in developing and implementing an enterprise strategy that supports local enablement, especially for organizations with large, dispersed frontline workforces and unions.

 

Kaela holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University, is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and has completed coaching and DE&I certification programs. An active community leader, they serve as Board Vice President of the Independence Business Alliance (IBA), Greater Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, and was most recently recognized in 2024 with the LGBTQ+ Leadership Award by the National Diversity Council.

 

True to their passion, Kaela loves to travel to new cities and explore new foodie dishes to learn more about the cultures of others. When not traveling, they can be found beep-bopping around their home city of Philadelphia, fostering meaningful moments of connections and networking. They also geek out on sci-fi and fantasy and can easily get lost in a good book, movie, or TV show.