Diane Headley
Vice President and Chief People Officer
Diane Headley Samuels is Ford’s dynamic Vice President and Chief People Officer. She brings energy and passion to cultivating a fair and fulfilling workplace. Diane is dedicated to advancing people and culture and infuses her expertise into every step of the employee journey—from strategy development and talent recruitment to organizational development and employee benefits. She’s a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring our policies and practices mirror the just world we aim to create.
Diane’s journey to excellence began as she grew up in Jamaica. She immigrated to the US in 2000, bringing a wealth of experience spanning more than 20 years in the philanthropic, for-profit, and government sectors. Before joining Ford, she was the managing director of Operations at the New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, where she oversaw human resources, strategic planning, and operational management for facilities and IT. She spent 13 years at the Rockefeller Foundation, where her biggest accomplishment before leaving was to pioneer its first global diversity and inclusion program. Diane kicked off her career in Jamaica at Jamaica Broilers, one of the country’s largest employers.
But there’s more to Diane than her career. She’s the proud mom of Joseph, a basketball enthusiast and excellent player. Diane grew up active, playing tennis, track and field, and doing modern dance. Her commitment to family, health, and fitness is as strong as her dedication to her career. Diane loves connecting with people, embracing differences and commonalities, and she is always seeking to learn and grow from each interaction.
Diane holds a master’s degree in human resources management from The New School and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brooklyn College. With Diane at the helm, Ford’s workplace is not just about work—it’s about creating a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone can thrive.
