Bill Cooper

Cooper is the Director of Diversity Strategies for Atlantic Constructors, Inc., a Richmond, Virginia-based mechanical and industrial construction firm. He says, “At ACI we are working towards a culture of inclusion – one where we don’t just count people but instead, strive to make people count.

He also serves as” Chief Curator” for The Inclusive Edge, a niche consulting practice focused on inclusion, leadership and small business strategies. T.I.E. works with its clients to unleash the power inherent in difference. By using difference as a lever for success rather than allowing it to be a distraction, organizations can often do more with less by strengthening the effectiveness of their interactions. This is the genesis of cross-cultural competence – a key ingredient for innovation and success in business today.

He has served as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond where he opened and was responsible for the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI). As Director of Supplier Diversity at the University of Virginia, spending with minority- and women-owned firms increased from less than $10 million to more than $60 million annually. And as the President and CEO of Choice Communications, Inc., a commercial printing operation in Richmond, VA, Bill successfully transformed a former in-house printing operation, into one of the largest minority-owned printing firms in the country.

Experienced in bringing a vision to reality, his demonstrated skill in leading intentional and sustainable change in organizations is rooted in his talent for motivating and empowering people to drive for success. Bill is convinced that sustainable economic success is not possible without tapping into all of the human assets available.

He has a BS in Architecture, a Master of Planning, and an MBA all from the University of Virginia.