Freddie Mac announced the appointment of longtime personnel-management leader Dionne Wallace Oakley to head human resources and diversity initiatives at the organization.
A veteran of the insurance industry, Wallace Oakley will hold the title of senior vice president, chief human resources officer and chief diversity officer for the McLean, Virginia-based government-sponsored enterprise. She most recently held the role of executive vice president, human resources and strategy, at Erie Insurance. Prior to joining Erie in 2011, she held a variety of roles at State Farm Insurance for over two decades, including serving as its corporate human resources director.
Wallace Oakley is the third major corporate leadership hire at Freddie Mac in the past few months. MichaelDeVito took over as CEO on June 1, and in July, the company promoted Jerry Mauricio to chief compliance officer.
“Ms. Wallace Oakley has extensive experience across the insurance and financial services industry, and she will be at the forefront of many very important initiatives for the company, including talent acquisition, leadership development and our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts,” said DeVito in a press release.
Wallace Oakley will begin her new role on September 15, taking the helm from Angela Locke, who had been overseeing hiring and diversity efforts at Freddie Mac on an interim basis after the departure of Jacqueline Welch earlier this year.
The appointment of Wallace Oakley comes as companies in the mortgage industry attempt to offer programs that can attract younger and more diverse professionals to the field. Representation within the industry is considered a crucial step in reducing housing inequality among minorities in the U.S.
“I’m looking forward to supporting Freddie Mac’s strong culture and talented workforce as we seek to address important issues of diversity, equity and inclusion we face as a nation,” said Wallace Oakley.
