IRENE A. QUARSHIE

EDUCATION

American University, School of Public Affairs, Master of Public Policy

  • Graduate paper published inA Comparative Perspective on Major Social Problems

Adelphi University, College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

  • Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Target Corporation (Minneapolis, Minnesota) • November 2005 – present

Fortune 38upscale discounter with sales of nearly $70 billion, and more than 365,000 team members in over 1,700 communities.

Director, Government Affairs (March 2011-present)

Directly responsible for the strategic management of all Government Affairs activities at state and local levels nationwide.

Key Results:

  • Led national E-fairness campaign, resulting inlegislative and executive action in 8 critical states
  • Launched Field Advocates grasstops program, engaging senior leaders in direct advocacy of policy priorities
  • Led strategic realignment of Government Affairs function, improving advocacy effectiveness and client service
  • Developed first-ever Government Affairs business plan, aligning public policy efforts with corporate strategic priorities

Senior Group Manager, Corporate Risk and Responsibility (March 2009- February 2011)

Directly responsible for enterprise risk management, environmental sustainability, and reputation research, analysis and insights.

Key Results:

  • Established first-ever enterprise risk management program; received Executive Committee and Board of Directors’ approval on Top 10 enterprise risks
  • Led development of country attractiveness methodology and tool; identified top regions and countries that compliment the company’s service center and captive business/technology process outsourcing mix.
  • Provided risk consulting services across the organization; developed process changes for a $150 million business; influencedstrategic growth decisions.
  • Led development of first corporate environmental sustainability strategy; identified market and reputation whitespace, and coordinated cross functional teams to build business case and long-term implementation plan.
  • Managed development of corporate social responsibility stakeholder engagement plan; established external advisory panels, and partnerships with think tanks, academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations.
  • Established a Corporate Fusion Center, a risk and reputation early warning detection and management function; provided research, analysis and insights on over 200 issues; serve as the social media “listening” and analysis hub.
  • Team received company Problem Solving award (Spring 2010) for enterprise risk management work and company Reputation Management award (Fall 2010) for environmental sustainability efforts.

Group Manager, Supplier Development (March 2008- February 2009)

Directly responsible for minority and woman-owned business development programs.

Key Results:

  • Conceptualized, proposed and launched a 3-year supplier diversity business plan; increased direct or Tier 1 spend by $300 million.
  • Developed an integrated communications strategy; obtained multiple internal news vehicle features, improved 17 spots to 31on “America’s Top Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities” by DiversityBusiness, and recognized as a “Noteworthy Company” by Diversity, Inc.
  • Launched Pyramid Champion program; fully integrating supplier diversity initiatives into three high-priority pyramids—Merchandising, Property Development, and Distribution.

Group Manager, Planning, Partnerships and Business Intelligence (March 2007- February 2008)

Directly responsible for strategic planning, public-private partnership development, and business intelligencefunctions.

Key Results:

  • Led annual business planning; created department strategy roadmap and balanced scorecard.
  • Led department’s reputation management effort; received recognition from CEO at National Sales Meeting.
  • Managed development of global risk assessments; directly impacted Assets Protection overseas strategy.

Manager, Public Partnerships (November 2005- February 2007)

Directly responsible for establishing and enhancing partnerships with the law enforcement community.

Key Results:

  • Managed Target’s signature law enforcement partnership program; improved Safe City program implementation success rate from 55 to 80 percent, and team member National Night Out participation by 47 percent.
  • Established partnership with the preeminent law enforcement organization, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); secured one board placement and three committee seats for Target leaders.
  • Leveraged partnerships to support business strategy; obtained formal IACP endorsement of Organized Retail Crime legislation.

Booz Allen Hamilton (McLean, Virginia) • April 2001 – November 2005

Global strategy and management consulting firm.

Associate (April 2004-November 2005) Senior Consultant (April 2003-March2004) Consultant (April 2001-March 2003)

  • Led teams of 5-25 client-facing consultants that provided systems development and program management support for federal government homeland security and defense clients.
  • Managed $3M+ in revenue across multiple, geographically dispersed projects.
  • Developed strategic partnerships with senior-level decision makers across the military services and first responder communities.
  • Facilitated strategic planning sessions for three state Chief Information Officers and Directors of Homeland Security.

American Land Title Association (Washington, DC) • April 1999 – March 2001
Trade association representing title insurers and underwriters.
Legislative Analyst and Political Action Committee Manager
  • Managed Political Action Committee fundraising, contributions and reporting.
  • Advised Legislative Counsel on federal real estate, tax, and insurance policy issues.
  • Engaged congressional staff as appropriate to advance policy positions.

D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services (Washington, DC) • April 1999 – March 2001
Lobbying firm representing agribusiness clients.
Legislative Analyst
  • Advised lobbyists on federal agricultural, environmental, and biotechnological policy issues.
  • Developed position statements, calls to action and legislative alerts.
  • Engaged congressional staff as appropriate to advance policy positions.

CERTIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by Project Management Institute
  • Junior League of Minneapolis
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  • Board member of Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, YWCA of Minneapolis, Cowles Center, Citizens League, and Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities