The Right Place announces TaRita Johnson as Senior Vice President of Talent & Diversity

In October 2021, The Right Place Inc. welcomed TaRita Johnson to the team as their new Senior Vice President of Talent and Diversity.

The Right Place concentrates on three key strategic pillars: People, Place and Prosperity. Johnson was hired to lead the People pillar with a focus on talent in the Greater Grand Rapids region. She is currently working on a strategy to help the businesses and individuals in the region reach their full potential in the talent space.

In addition to creating a strategic plan, TaRita is hosting “Talent Office Hours” both in person and virtually. She will be available to talk

through workforce trends and talent strategies. Join her on Tuesdays between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for a 30-minute conversation about your workforce needs. Those who are interested can book a time slot to meet with her here.

“Now more than ever, talent, equity and inclusion are critical to having a successful business and a thriving economy,” said TaRita. “In this role, I want to make sure I can provide concrete steps and advice to help everyone in our community with these struggles.”

“TaRita brings with her a wide range of experience in the talent sector,” said Randy Thelen, President and CEO of The Right Place. “She has a true passion for making a positive impact on the lives of everyone in the Greater Grand Rapids region through her work, as well as creating an equitable economy for all. We’re incredibly lucky to have her on our team.”

Prior to joining The Right Place Johnson served as the Director of the Career Center at Calvin University. She oversaw the center’s career coaching, employer relations and event and marketing analytics and assessment. She was responsible for cross-divisionally creating and launching a career and life skills program, Calvin LifeWork.

Her other positions include Talent Acquisition Manager at Meijer, adjunct Social Work professor at Calvin, Assistant Director of Admissions at Baldwin Wallace University, Enrollment Management Officer at Pennsylvania State University, Psychiatric Specialty Counselor at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, and Program Specialist for TRIO’s Educational Talent Search Program at Savannah State University.

Johnson’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work from Miami University and a master’s degree of social work from University of Michigan. She is currently working toward her doctorate in higher education from Azusa Pacific University and is working on her dissertation – Cultural Competence in Executive Women Leadership.

Johnson is also certified in Cultural Intelligence and Unconscious Bias from the Cultural Intelligence Center, DDI Targeted Selection Interviewing System and is a Korn Ferry Leadership Architect.