Aaron Lee turns passion into action on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

When you ask Aaron Lee, MSHRM, MBA, PHR what he envisioned for his career early on, a successful human resources (HR) administrator was not in the cards. A pre-med major in college, Lee intended to become a pediatrician. However, after volunteering at a children’s hospital, he realized it wasn’t the right fit. Lee changed his major and accepted a position at a small investment firm, where he quickly learned the ins and outs of recruitment, selection, and employment law through self-study. As Lee grew in professional experience, he moved to Atlanta and secured a position as a recruiter. Multiple roles and two master’s degrees later, Lee is now a vital member of Emory’s human resources team.

As a human resources administrator for the Department of Medicine, Lee leads overall HR strategy, employee relations, supports day-to-day functions, and supervises departmental HR staff. Now with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Lee provides guidance to supervisors and leadership regarding effectively leading teams virtually. He supports faculty and staff as they navigate both the professional and personal challenges of working from home.

One of Lee’s most significant accomplishments within the department so far is the reintroduction of the Staff Awards program. The program is intended to honor staff for their hard work, even more so during these challenging times.

“I think that it is extremely important to recognize the amazing contributions that our staff make across all three of our missions,” he said. “The Staff Awards program has been active for a number of years now and it is always exciting to see how appreciative our staff are when they are nominated by their supervisors or colleagues.”

Lee is also heavily involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work within the department. A member of the department’s DEI council, Lee uses his HR knowledge to guide inclusive hiring decisions.

“I believe that human resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion are somewhat intertwined,” said Lee. “All of the principles and goals of DEI, from intentional recruitment of underrepresented minorities to creating an environment where these individuals feel welcome and valued, involve a human resources component. Given that, it was an easy decision to get involved in the council so that I could offer support, speak to the current state of our HR processes, and lend my HR expertise to this extremely important DEI initiative.”

Lee’s focus within diversity work is analysis and dissemination of data collected in a recent departmental engagement survey. He is presenting this data to divisional leadership and supporting their efforts to address any issues. He is also actively involved in departmental and School of Medicine presentations, webinars, and panel discussions about DEI-related topics.

In a time when diversity is a major point of discussion within the Emory community and in the country, faculty and staff may wonder how they can learn about these important issues and get involved. Lee says expressing interest is a crucial first step and there are many ways to take action.

“The best advice I have for faculty and staff who are interested in our DOM initiatives is to make their interest known to leadership and get involved,” said Lee. “We are always looking for faculty and staff who are passionate about DEI, and there is plenty of work to be done! Whether it is simply attending events that are sponsored by the DEI council or volunteering to support the onboarding/mentorship of new employees, everyone can make an impact!”

As Lee reflects on his time at Emory, he is proud to work with leadership, staff, and faculty who he says are second-to-none. He is also encouraged by the department’s ongoing DEI work.

“The support that the department has given to DEI really shows how committed our leaders are to this important initiative, and the progress that Jada Bussey-Jones, MD, Kimberly Manning, MD, John Blanding, and the rest of the DEI council have made in such a short time is truly astounding,” he said. “I am fortunate to work for and with such an amazing and dedicated group of people.”