Deborah L. Plummer, Ph.D.

Deborah is a nationally recognized psychologist and diversity management expert. She is a consultant and founder of D. L. Plummer & Associates, a consulting firm that specializes in diversity management and organizational development. She has consulted for a variety of national and local corporations including Fortune 500 companies, community mental health agencies, public and private school systems, and faith-based institutions. She is the former Chief Diversity Officer for Cleveland Clinic building the infrastructure for the Office of Diversity, designing and executing the diversity and inclusion strategy that served as system-wide support for the 37,000 employee organization. Before joining Cleveland Clinic, Deborah was Professor of Psychology, Founder and Director of the Diversity Management Program (DMP) at Cleveland State University, a master’s degree and certificate program graduating over 100 diversity professionals during her tenure.

Deborah is the Editor of the Handbook of Diversity Management: Beyond Awareness to Competency Based Learning (University Press of America) and author of Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations through Friendships (The Pilgrim Press) which received the Mayflower Award for best publication in the category of Church and Society. In addition, she has written many book chapters and journal articles to the professional community on racial identity development and managing diverse work environments.

As a licensed psychologist, she maintained a private practice for twenty years treating individuals, couples and families. She also served a term, by appointment of the Governor, on the State of Ohio Board of Psychology.

Active in her civic and faith communities, Deborah serves on several boards and is a member of a host of professional and service organizations. She currently serves on the Boards of the Woodruff Foundation, The City Club of Cleveland, and In Counsel with Women. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the American Institute for Managing Diversity in Atlanta. She is the immediate past president of the Western Reserve Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, serves on the regional advisory board of Girl Scouts of Lake Erie County, and is an active member of Blacks in Management (BIM).

As a noted national speaker to professional organizations, civic communities, colleges and faith-based groups, she is regularly featured as a guest psychologist for WEWS Channel 3’s Good Company and Cleveland News Channel 5.