Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon announced that Nikeisha Waring has been hired as the County’s first Chief Diversity Officer. Waring assumed the role on Oct. 10.

“I’m looking forward to working with the DEI Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to help further Cumberland County’s goals of being a more diverse, equitable and inclusive place for our employees,” said Waring in a press release. “It is important to me that every County employee knows that ‘This person believes in you.’”

Waring retired from the military in November 2020 after 22 years at Fort Bragg. She served in numerous capacities throughout her time in the military. During her last four years with the military, she served as an Equal Opportunity Advisor, planning, directing, implementing and monitoring EEO programs, and advising senior leadership on issues affecting the workforce, including the effectiveness and status of EEO program goals, efficiency and legal compliance. 

Following her military career, Waring served as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist at the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command in Norfolk, VA. She received her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Excelsior University in Albany, NY, and holds a number of certifications related to EEO Training, Leadership and Mediation.

“I am excited about the experience Mrs. Waring brings from her career in the military and education, and I believe her addition will allow us to continue the momentum that has been building over the past several years in the area of DEI,” said Cannon in a press release. “Mrs. Waring will be tasked with advancing the County’s priorities of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through coordination with the DEI Advisory Committee, County department heads, the Management Team and Board of Commissioners, employees and other stakeholders. Among her first priorities will be working to continue implementation of the County’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan, which was adopted earlier this year.”