Press Release: Bounteous Names Melinda Ramos Vice President of Learning and Diversity
20+ Year Human Relations Veteran To Lead Expansion of Company's Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Practice
CHICAGO, IL – Jan. 7, 2021 – Bounteous, a leading insights-driven digital transformation agency, today announced Melinda Ramos has joined as Vice President of Learning and Diversity. In her new role at Bounteous, Ramos will focus on a wide scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including the creation, promotion, and delivery of effective growth and development opportunities across the organization.
This announcement comes at a time of tremendous growth for Bounteous and shortly after the company's recent acquisition of FortyFour, an Atlanta-based digital agency. Ramos joins a team of over 600 strategists, technologists, designers, analysts, content creators, and marketers spread across 10 locations in North America and Europe.
"Bounteous is a rapidly-growing, innovative agency that's intentionally, deliberately, and actively creating a diverse and equitable environment for its employees and clients," said Ramos. "I look forward to building upon that foundation as we continue to promote a supportive and collaborative environment of constant learning for our team members, as well as create more seats and opportunities to elevate all voices, no matter where they sit."
Ramos brings versatile experience and a range of skills to Bounteous, previously holding Human Resources roles in finance, consulting, digital marketing, crisis management, and communications industries. Most recently, Ramos served as the Vice President and Director of Talent & Diversity at Brownstein Group, a Philadelphia-based advertising agency, where she led the company's efforts to grow a diverse and inclusive workplace, including talent acquisition, retention, and outreach to talent in underrepresented communities.
"The appointment of Melinda Ramos further solidifies our commitment to cultivate a learning culture and build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace," said Leah Weyandt, Chief People Officer at Bounteous. "Melinda brings rich experience to this new role and I look forward to her leadership and ability to identify high-impact programs that continue to inspire and develop our thriving, creative workforce."
Keith Schwartz, co-founder and CEO of Bounteous, added, "Top talent wants to work with diverse teammates who bring fresh perspectives and in inclusive environments who value new ideas to provide the spark for innovation. As we craft cutting-edge digital solutions, our focus on learning and diversity continually brings unique ideas to the table, benefiting both our company and clients greatly."
Growing diverse teams is a subject discussed in-depth in the Co-Innovation Manifesto, which Schwartz authored in 2020. One of the principles outlined in the Co-Innovation Manifesto is for organizations to "insist on having the best talent." According to Schwartz, the best talent aspires to join organizations with purpose that also foster a culture committed to learning.
For the past 20 years, Bounteous has worked with global brands and innovative startups, bringing together diverse teams of talented people to change the way companies do business. Bounteous provides a number of in-house affinity groups to its diverse range of team members, including groups for women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, parents and working moms, people with disabilities, and members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community. Additionally, in an effort to foster an environment of diversity, learning, and professional advancement for the next generation of tech pioneers, Bounteous has established a scholarship program for people who identify as women from the Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or LGBTQIA+ communities.
In addition to Ramos' professional endeavors, she is recognized as a local advocate for diversity and inclusion, belonging in the Philadelphia region as a member of several organizations. Ramos is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Philly Ad Club Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She founded and chairs the Diversity Task Force and has been featured in Philly Ad News Magazine, Philadelphia Business Journal, and Technical.ly Philly.
For more about Bounteous’ DEI efforts, visit: https://www.bounteous.com/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/.
About Bounteous
Founded in 2003 in Chicago, Bounteous creates big-picture digital solutions that help leading companies deliver transformational digital brand experiences. With expertise in Strategy, Experience Design, Solutions Engineering, Analytics, and Marketing, Bounteous forms co-innovation partnerships with clients to envision, design, and build their digital futures. For more information, please visit www.bounteous.com. For more information about co-innovation, download the Co-Innovation Manifesto at co-innovation.com.
For the most up-to-date news, follow Bounteous on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
