Karrah Herring
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Karrah Herring | |
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| Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity | |
| Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity Officer | |
| In office November 2020 – January 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Governor Eric Holcomb |
| Personal details | |
| Born | South Bend, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Purdue University Valparaiso University |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Karrah Herring is an American lawyer who was appointed as Indiana's first Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer (CEIOO) by Governor Eric Holcomb and served as CEIOO from November 2020 until January 2025.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Early life and education
[edit]Herring was born in South Bend, Indiana.[9] She earned a Bachelors of Arts in Communications/Public Relations from Purdue University in 2005 and a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University in 2011.[10]
Career
[edit]For a decade, Herring worked at the University of Notre Dame. She was the Director of Public Affairs in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at the University. Then prior to this role, she was the Director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator.[10] As the Director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator, Herring oversaw workplace compliance with federal and state laws. This included Title IX, Title VII, ADA, EEO, and affirmative action.
In November 2020, Governor Eric Holcomb appointed Herring as Indiana's first Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer.[3] This position was created after Holcomb announced in an address to the state on August 2020 actions that would be taken to "reduce racial inequity in the Hoosier State".[11]
In her first year in the newly created position, Herring was stated to have "engaged with more than 200 stakeholders" from around the state which included businesses, government agencies, higher education, non-for-profits, and faith communities.[12]
Most notably, her office created the state's first Equity Data Portal. This portal was a resource that Hoosiers could use to track equity throughout the state of Indiana as it related to Health, Public Safety, Social Services, Education, and Workforce. It was meant to reveal shortcomings across the state.[11]
Under her leadership the state's Office of the CEIOO oversaw the Pathway to Purpose initiative, the Next Level TEAMS training program, and the Employee and Friends Resource Groups (EFRGs), the Elevating Hoosier Businesses campaign.
In partnership with the Small Business Development Center, the Office of the CEIOO published 4 SBDC Quarterly Impact Reports: Q1 2023, Q4 2022, Q3 2022, and Q2 2022.
Then in 2023, the Office of CEIOO created three Regional Impact Reports that focused on North, Central, and Southern parts of Indiana.
It was in January 2025, that incoming Governor Mike Braun signed a series of 9 executive orders. One of those executive orders eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in state government. This executive order shuttered the state's Office of CEIOO and removed Herring's position from the governor of Indiana's cabinet, along with four other employees.[13]
Since 2015, Herring has owned and operated Lucy Mina Consulting.[citation needed]
Selected awards
[edit]- 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from Purdue University.[10]
- 2022 Forty Under 40, Indianapolis Business Journal. [12]
- 2023 Key to the City, South Bend, IN.[10]
- 2023 Indiana 250 - Civic Leadership, IBJ Media.[14]
- 2023 Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award, Indiana Minority Business Magazine.[15]
Personal life
[edit]Herring is married to Ray Herring, and together they have three children, Bryce, Brianna, and Ja'Mari Herring.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Smith, Brandon (November 19, 2020). "Holcomb Names Karrah Herring First-Ever Equity And Inclusion Cabinet Officer". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ COOPER, BREANNA (February 18, 2021). "New diversity czar takes office". Indianapolis Recorder. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Mack, Justin L. "'Nothing mystical': How Indiana's 1st equity officer hopes to remove barriers for all". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ Michelle, Felicia (March 7, 2024). "South Bend woman making history as Indiana's first chief diversity officer". WNDU.com. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ Atkeson, Allie (October 22, 2021). "Establishing a Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer in Indiana". NASHP. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Holcomb names Indiana's first chief equity, inclusion and opportunity officer". wthr.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ Team, WLKY Digital (November 20, 2020). "Indiana governor names state's first ever chief equity, inclusion and opportunity officer". WLKY. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Holcomb Announces State Equity Chief". Building Indiana Business. November 28, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "Your Morning Boost: Karrah Herring 'honored' to be Indiana's first-ever diversity chief". WNDU. February 17, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Karrah Herring, J.D. - College of Liberal Arts - Purdue University". www.cla.purdue.edu. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Smith, Brandon (August 18, 2020). "Holcomb Announces New Cabinet Officer For Equity, Mandates Body Cameras". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b "Forty Under 40 – 2022". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ Selfridge, Chris (January 15, 2025). "Indiana Gov. Mike Braun eliminates DEI initiatives in state government - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Civic Leadership". Indiana 250. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ Stratton, Meghan (January 3, 2023). "Meet Karrah Herring: 2023 Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award recipient". Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic | WISH-TV |. Retrieved June 26, 2025.