National bank regulator names next head of minority and women inclusion office

Shinu Shilesh will be executive director of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) Office of Minority and Women Inclusion beginning in October, the agency announced Friday.

Shilesh, the agency said, will provide executive direction, set policies, and oversee all agency matters relating to equal employment opportunity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in management, employment, and business activities. She will report directly to the comptroller, it said.

Shilesh fills a role vacated by Joyce Cofield, who retired from the position, the agency said.

Before joining the OCC, Shilesh served as the chief diversity officer and director for the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Diversity and Inclusion at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The OCC said she served as the principal advisor to top leadership on EEO, DEIA, and civil rights matters.

Prior to joining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Shilesh served as EEO director at Arlington National Cemetery and director of EEO/affirmative action programs at the New York State Office of Information Technology Services, where she managed agency wide EEO and affirmative action efforts, including handling discrimination complaints and investigations. The OCC said she also held EEO and personnel positions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the New York State Department of Transportation.

Shilesh holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Albany and a master of science degree in public administration from Sage College of Albany, the OCC said.

OCC Announces Executive Director for Office of Minority and Women Inclusion