Kimberly Carson

The city of Wilmington hired Kimberly Carson as its director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), according to a news release.

Carson, who succeeds Joe Conway, comes to the city from Burlington, Vermont, where she led that city’s equity and inclusion strategies starting in 2022. Prior to that, she worked for the Iowa Judicial Branch in a variety of roles, including talent management and development, leadership development and diversity and inclusion, the release stated.

Carson will lead the city’s Equity & Inclusion Office.

"The office was established in 2022 in response to City Council’s unanimous commitment to its Rise Together Initiative, which seeks to ensure that every Wilmington resident is valued and shares in the same opportunities for prosperity and quality of life," according to the release, "She will play an instrumental role in the organization with employee relations, community relations, and equitable service delivery."

Carson holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a DEI Certification from Cornell University. Carson is currently seeking a master’s degree in organizational leadership and learning from George Washington University, the release stated. Her first day as DEI director for Wilmington is May 20.