Cassandra J. Blackburn has successfully moved across a variety of industries – a journey that began in healthcare, continued on to manufacturing and financial services, and most recently the technology sector. Throughout her career, she has advised global organizations and led strategic transformational initiatives focused on companies’ greatest asset — people. Pioneering the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion for Groupon nearly 5 years ago, Cassandra currently serves as their Global Senior Lead for Inclusion and Diversity, where she leads and executes the company’s global strategy across the pillars of workplace culture, workforce development, and business outreach.

Cassandra’s passion for advancing diverse talent and building equitable and inclusive environments stems from her own experiences. In her words, “as an ethnically diverse woman in Corporate America, I have been extremely fortunate to have amazing people in my life who have advocated for my dreams and have opened doors to opportunities that I never thought I would have. In turn, I want to do the same for others.” Additionally, she has witnessed first-hand the positive impact of having a diverse leadership and employee base on company culture and business outcomes.

Cassandra was recognized as the 2018 Chicago Latino Network LatinX Up and Comer. She is a Founding Advisory Board Member of the Nova Collective,and co-leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Professionals Meet-Up, comprised of more than 400 DEI practitioners, nationally. She completed Georgetown University’s Executive Certificate in Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management and received her Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Cassandra is a Chicago native and resides in the Austin neighborhood on the city’s west side with her husband and their 3 year-old daughter.