Valencia, CA (June 21, 2021) — California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has appointed Bridgette Monique Wilder as its new Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, it was announced today. Wilder comes to CalArts from Albany State University (Albany, Ga.), where she currently services as Chief Human Resources Officer. She will assume her new position on June 28.
“Bridgette is a proven leader who is ready to make an immediate impact at CalArts. She has a history of excellence in multiple human resources leadership roles in which she has created fundamental policies, developed training programs in diversity, ethics, leadership, and workforce management, and brought stability and structure to organizations, making them both inclusive and supportive,” said Lori Husein, CalArts’ Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer. “I am confident she will help CalArts move forward on the critical work of supporting employees and engaging us in building a workplace of which we can all be proud.”
In addition to her work at Albany State University, Wilder previously served the City of Memphis in the dual roles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Safety Officer and Senior Manager—Human Resources Business Partner, where she was responsible for the operational and strategic management of diversity and inclusion, workplace safety, employee relations, and labor relations, among other duties. Prior to that, she was Chief Human Resources Officer for Media Fusion, an award-winning government contractor and support services company, where she established the Human Resources Department.
"I am thrilled to join CalArts and work with all employees to continue developing effective strategies for personal growth and development and to engage us in supporting our mission, " said Wilder. "Together we will ensure that CalArts' values remain at the forefront of our efforts to cultivate an enriching work environment."
Wilder’s career experience also includes positions as Deputy Director of Human Resources/Chief Diversity at The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, where she was the first African American Deputy Director and the only person to hold the dual role. She has also spent time in various roles throughout the private and public sectors.
Wilder is a graduate of the Furman University/Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Academy and a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Humanitarian Award. She is a member of Forbes Human Resources Council, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Expertise Panel for Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility and SHRM A-Team.
Wilder and her son, Dred Scott, will live in the greater Los Angeles area.
To learn more about CalArts’ mission and governance, please visit calarts.edu/about/institute/mission-and-governance.