Speaker
Merridth D. Simpson is the Director of Human Resources for Methodist Charlton Medical Center, part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System which employs nearly 10,000 staff throughout the Metroplex. Merridth oversees all aspects of Human Resources including policies and programs covering employment, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee relations, leadership development, recruiting and retention, and compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
Merridth serves on the Methodist Health System Intentional Inclusion & Diversity (II&D) Council and represents the organization on the Best Southwest Workforce Development committee.
Previously Merridth served as the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where she led the strategic development and implementation of the Institution’s diversity and inclusion strategy, impacting 15,000 faculty and staff. Merridth ensured that diversity and inclusion were essential components of the Institution’s core missions of research, education and patient care, and implemented the Institution’s first Business Resource Groups (BRGs).
Prior to joining UT Southwestern, Merridth held leadership roles at Raytheon, an aerospace and defense contractor, in their Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) business segment. She held positions spanning communications, human resources, and diversity.
While at Raytheon Merridth handled workforce planning of nearly 3,000 scientists and technical professionals, and streamlined the business’ performance and development processes. She spearheaded community outreach efforts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), developed and implemented the diversity and inclusion strategy, grew the maturity of nine Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and steered multiple diversity councils.
Merridth is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Society for Diversity, Executive Women in Texas Government, and National Association of Health Services Executives. She serves on the Greater Dallas Advisory Board of the Texas Diversity Council, Board of Management for the Lakewest YMCA of Dallas, and leads the women’s ministry at her church.
Merridth is a Certified Human Resources Management Professional (SHRM-CP), Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), Six Sigma Green Belt, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Relations and Business. Merridth resides in Midlothian, TX with her husband of 25 years and they have three grown children.