RICHMOND, Va. — Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger today announced the appointment of Dr. Sesha Joi Moon to serve as Virginia’s next Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
“When every Virginian has the opportunity to reach their full potential, it benefits all of us. Virginia deserves leaders who will make sure our work to grow our Commonwealth’s economy keeps the needs of all Virginians in mind,” said Spanberger. “Today, I’m excited to announce that Dr. Moon is joining our administration. Her experience across government, education, and the nonprofit sectors gives her firsthand insight into the ways in which we can build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Virginia for every family.”
“I am deeply honored by my nomination as the next Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Dr. Moon. “As a proud Virginia native, I look forward to joining the cabinet of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger as her historic administration works to advance a future in which all Virginians have access to opportunity — to include residents from some of the hardest-to-reach communities throughout the Commonwealth.”
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Sesha Joi Moon, Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Sesha Joi Moon has over 20 years of experience in amplifying the positive impact of organizations across the country and ensuring the needs of people from all communities are considered in decision-making. She most notably served as Chief Diversity Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 117th & 118th Congresses — leading the U.S. House Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the pleasure of Speakers Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, and Mike Johnson.
Her prior roles include Chief Impact Officer with Girl Scouts USA and Chief Diversity Officer with the National Institute of Standards & Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she received the Commerce Bronze Award for Superior Performance and Commerce Spirit Award.
In addition to executive education programs at Harvard University, where she received the DEI Pioneer Award at the Harvard Sports, Entertainment, and Impact Summit, Dr. Moon holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration & Policy from Old Dominion University. She also earned a B.A. in African American Studies and M.S. from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has received the VCU Black History in the Making Award and VCU Alumni Stars Award — and became the first Black queer woman to establish an endowed scholarship fund in university history. She also maintains endowments at Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Richmond Public Schools.
Dr. Moon is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. alongside the Virginia Black Historic Preservation Alliance and President’s Circle with the WNBA’s New York Liberty and Washington Mystics — and formerly served on the Board of Directors with the African American Federal Executive Association and Commonwealth of Virginia’s Criminal Justice Services Board. She is also a Senior Research Fellow with The Conference Board’s Engagement Institute and Senior Fellow of the Excellence in Government Fellowship Program with the Partnership for Public Service.
Dr. Moon resides in Fairfax, Virginia with her cockapoo, Benji, but hails from Richmond, Virginia as the proud daughter of Dr. Michon Moon and the late August Moon.
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