Latasha Gillespie is the Global Diversity and Inclusion Director for Caterpillar Inc. Latasha is responsible for accelerating efforts to create an environment that embraces the ideas/ perspectives of all employees and then leveraging those diverse perspectives to make better decisions and drive better business results. Latasha serves as the champion for Caterpillar’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, one of our three “HR Must Win Battles.” This strategic HR initiative is critical to the success of our “Best Team” strategic goal.

Prior to this role, Latasha Gillespie was the Employee Relations Manager for Solar Turbines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. Her responsibilities included the Harbor Drive Facility (Solar’s Headquarters) in San Diego, CA; Turbotec Facility in Tijuana, Mexico; and the Superior Gear Facility in Gardenia, CA.

Latasha has had a very diverse career since joining Caterpillar in 1996 in both Finance and Human Resources. As a Finance Representative in the Latin American Division, Latasha was responsible for the financing strategies for Caterpillar Dealers in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. In 2000, Latasha was named Coordinator for Caterpillar’s Diversity Recruiting Initiatives, charged with creating and executing the diversity recruiting strategy for the enterprise. Latasha is a 6 Sigma Black Belt Alumni. She led HR Transformation Projects in the Asia Pacific Region. In January of 2005, Latasha and her family relocated to the Memphis area where she led the Mid-South District Office, a team with offices in Mississippi and Texas that provided HR services to Cat facilities in MO, TN, MS, OK, and TX. In September of 2007, Latasha joined Solar Turbines Incorporated, a division of Caterpillar Inc., as the Global Benefits and Compensation Manager. In that role, she led HR Programs and strategies including Solar’s Diversity Office.

Latasha’s accomplishments include designing and implementing the Caterpillar World-Wide Bank Support System that was acknowledged in the industry by winning the Alexander Hamilton Gold Award. She has also won a Telly Award for writing and producing a series of employment commercials highlighting Caterpillar’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Latasha grew up in the Chicago area and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She currently serves on the University’s External Advisory Board for the College of Business. Latasha has also served on Tavis Smiley’s Youth To Leaders – Chicago Advisory Board, NSBE Board of Corporate Affiliates and SHPE Industrial Partnership Council.