Merridth D. Simpson is the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She leads the strategic development and implementation of the Institution’s diversity and inclusion strategy, impacting 15,000 faculty and staff. Merridth ensures that diversity and inclusion are essential components of the Institution’s core missions of research, education and patient care.
Merridth’s key responsibilities include building a diverse and inclusive culture that encompasses all hospitals and clinics. Merridth collaborates across the Institution to help develop strategies for talent management, employee engagement, community outreach, health equity, and institutional branding. Merridth leads the Institution in leveraging D&I to improve patient care, eliminate health disparities, educate the next generation of physicians, and accelerate advancements in scientific research.
Merridth serves on the UT Southwestern Human Resources Advisory Council, Employee Recognition Steering Committee, and is liaison to the National Business Leadership Network.
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 engineering operations, communications, human resources, and diversity.
Leading engineering operations she managed the operational overhead budget, handled workforce planning of nearly 3,000 scientists and technical professionals, and streamlined the business’ performance and development processes. She also spearheaded community outreach efforts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). As D&I lead, she developed and implemented the diversity and inclusion strategy; established core training; grew the maturity of nine Employee Resource Groups (ERGs); and steered multiple diversity councils.
Merridth is a member of the 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 Dallas with her husband of 23 years and their three children.
