Aisha Thomas-Petit

 
Academic Background
 
Aisha Thomas-Petit is a distinguished professional with a notable career in human resources, strategic planning, and inclusion initiatives. Her academic journey began at Syracuse University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from 1994 to 1998. She continued her education at Rutgers University - Newark, achieving an MBA in Business Strategy and Marketing between 2004 and 2007.

 
Professional Career
 
Aisha's career is marked by progressively responsible roles across several high-profile organizations. Starting in the corporate sector at JPMorgan Chase, she served as Vice President from 1998 to 2006. She then moved on to Lehman Brothers, taking on the role of VP of IT Campus Recruiting & Diversity, from May 2006 to September 2008. Her leadership skills further developed at Barclays, where she was a Director from September 2008 to October 2013.

 
Academic and Entrepreneurial Contributions
 
In parallel to her professional roles, Aisha also contributed to academia as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University from September 2013 to January 2018. This period also saw her delve into entrepreneurship as the owner of Kataluma Chai in New Jersey from February 2007 to September 2010.

 
Role at ADP
 
Her significant contributions to ADP, a prominent human resources management company, illustrate her expertise and leadership in the HR field. Beginning in October 2013 as a Senior HR Director, she climbed the ranks to become the Chief Diversity, Inclusion & Corporate Social Responsibility Officer by September 2019. During her tenure, she held several key roles, emphasizing her ability to spearhead HR strategy and operations across various sectors.

 
Role at AMC Networks
 
Aisha's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion continued with her role at AMC Networks. Starting as the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer in November 2020, she later assumed the position of Chief People & Diversity Officer, all the way until February 2024. Her influence in these positions aimed at fostering inclusive environments and bridging gaps within organizational structures.

 
Board Memberships
 
Her career path has also been enriched by her board memberships in organizations like The Opportunity Network, NJCU Foundation, Rahway Housing Authority, and LeadNJ, reflecting her dedication to community service and organizational governance.

 
Current Role
 
Recently, Aisha has been appointed as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, starting in February 2024. This role highlights her as a dynamic leader capable of aligning human capital with business strategies, ensuring her impact on business success through strategic people initiatives.

 
Recognition and Skills
 
Aisha's achievements have been recognized and praised by peers, as reflected in testimonials like the one from Anthony Toney, who commended her strategic understanding of the labor market and her ability to secure competitive offers. Her extensive skill set includes human resources, strategic planning, talent management, employee relations, and change management, among others.

With nearly 3,000 followers on LinkedIn, Aisha maintains a strong professional presence, contributing to her recognition as an accomplished leader in her field.