Lynette Chappell-Williams

Lynette Chappell-Williams joined Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine in 2015. As chief diversity officer and associate dean of diversity and inclusion, she is responsible for the development and execution of a vision and strategy that solidifies a culture of inclusiveness and diversity in all forms across the organization, which includes the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Medical Group and the College of Medicine.

Chappell-Williams was previously associate vice president for inclusion and workforce diversity at Cornell University, a position she held for more than two decades. She was largely responsible for many of Cornell’s awards as a best employer for its diversity and inclusion efforts, including the coveted Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Award from the Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Prior to her employment at Cornell University, Chappell-Williams held positions at organizations including George Washington University, Illinois Institute of Technology and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Chappell-Williams has presented both nationally and internationally. She was recognized by Human Resource Executive as an HR Rising Star/Diversity Champion; by the Cornell University Employee Assembly for promoting work/life for the workforce; and as one of Work and Families Institute’s Work Life Legacy Award recipients, as well as named a Woman Worth Watching by the Profiles in Diversity Journal.

Chappell-Williams holds a law degree from The Ohio State University School of Law, bachelor's degree from James Madison University and a diversity management certificate from Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.