Tonya Richards

Tonya Richards (Maison) has an extensive work experience in various roles related to human resources. Tonya Richards (Maison) is currently serving as the Vice President of Human Resources & Organization Development at Maimonides Medical Center since October 2022. Prior to this, they worked as the ASHHRA Region 2 Consultant for the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) starting from January 2018.

Tonya also has experience working at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where they held multiple positions including Executive Director of Human Resources & Academic Affairs, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer-Staff, and Senior Human Resources Business Partner. In these roles, they were responsible for strategic planning, leading HR teams, providing consultation on complex HR matters, and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Before joining Columbia University, Tonya worked at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center as the Senior Director of Human Resources and Director of Human Resources. In these roles, they were responsible for aligning business objectives with employees and management, consulting on HR issues, and managing HR functions.

Additionally, Tonya worked at Con Edison as a Senior Labor Relations Generalist/HRBP and at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center as an Employee & Labor Relations Manager. In these positions, they provided generalist services, advice and counsel on human resources, and developed plans to address key issues.

Throughout their career, Tonya has demonstrated their expertise in HR best practices, strategic planning, diversity, equity, and inclusion, labor relations, and organizational development.

Tonya Richards (Maison) has a diverse education history. In 2006, they obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Tonya Richards (Maison) furthered their education at the same university in 2006, earning a Labor Relations Certificate. Tonya also holds a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management and Development from New York University. In 2018, they obtained a Certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University's ILR School, specializing in Diversity and Inclusion for Human Resources. Additionally, Tonya has acquired several certifications throughout their career. Tonya Richards (Maison) is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by HRCI since 2006, and as a SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) by SHRM since 2012. In 2017, they became a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) through the Institute for Diversity Certification and obtained a Certified in Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR) designation from the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA). In 2021, Tonya received certifications in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from USF Corporate Training and Professional Education and as an Intercultural Development Instrument (IDI) Qualified Administrator from IDI, LLC. Lastly, they obtained the Certified life, executive, career coach credential from Symbiosis Coaching in 2021, and they are currently pursuing The Academy for Healthcare Leadership Advancement certification from Cornell University's ILR School, expected in 2023.