Nikki R.

About Nikki R.

Dr. Nikki R. Lanier is a Christ-centered leader, labor attorney, public speaker, author, and organizational advisor with a calling to transform cultures, spaces, and communities through grace-infused, equity-minded strategies. Rooted deeply in her Christian faith, Dr. Lanier views her professional work as a form of ministry—one that advances human dignity, builds resilient communities, and reflects God’s heart for equity and reconciliation.As the CEO and founder of Harper Slade, Dr. Lanier leads a national advisory committed to reimagining workplaces as ecosystems where multiculturalism and belonging are positioned as risk mitigation strategies and macroeconomic necessities. She brings a spiritually mature, servant-leader approach to her work, guiding organizations through transformative culture shifts with clarity, compassion, and conviction.Dr. Lanier is also the originator of the principle and methodology “Grace Over Gotcha”—a belief system that centers the importance of how we engage with one another, especially on difficult or divisive topics. Understanding that we all fall short in our efforts to relate with authenticity and care, Dr. Lanier calls for a posture of grace rather than judgment—an approach she believes has the power to heal relationships & bridge divides. With a career spanning executive leadership roles across manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, and public service, Dr. Lanier has served as a three-time Chief Human Resources Officer and held a senior executive role with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. There, she led economic education, community development, and strategic stakeholder engagement, connecting the Fed with business and civic leaders to discern community needs and shape responsive economic policy. She is a previous Gubernatorial Appointee having served as the youngest, black female Cabinet Secretary in Kentucky where she led a department of more than 300 employees serving constituencies.Dr. Lanier holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Hampton University, and a certification in Collective Bargaining from Cornell University.Recognized as one of the 2025 Enterprising Women of the Year and among the 100 Women to KNOW in America, her thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Essence, NPR, USA Today, and Ebony Media. Her television appearances include: CNBC, PBS, Schwab TV, Bloomberg TV, Yahoo Finance among others.

Experience

1. Advocate Member

   Onboard Inc

   Sep 2024 — Present · Atlanta, GA, US

   OnBoard aims to increase the number of women in executive leadership and on corporate boards, driving business and societal value through diversity of thought, experiences, and leadership.

Education

• Hampton University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Mass Communication/Media Studies

  1988 — 1992

• University of Miami School of Law

  JD, Labor and Employment

  1992 — 1995

• Cornell University

  Certified Industrial Relations, Collective Bargaining

  1996