Former Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, The Walt Disney Company
Wes Coleman joined The Walt Disney Company in 2006 as executive vice president and chief human resources officer. In this capacity, Coleman was responsible for compensation and benefits, organizational and cultural development, employee education and development, global staffing, employee relations, diversity, and managing employee communications for the Company's more than 125,000 employees worldwide. His areas of oversight spanned all of Disney's diverse global business segments, including studio entertainment, media networks, parks and resorts, consumer products and corporate administration, with the heads of human resources in each business unit reporting to both Coleman and the division leader.
Before joining Disney, Coleman served as the vice president of global human resources at Nike, Inc., a position he had held since joining the company in 2002. He was responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all human resources functions on a global basis for Nike's nearly 28,000 employees, including recruitment and staffing, compensation and benefits, training and development, executive succession planning, diversity, and employee relations. Coleman also overhauled the company's performance management system, implemented a number of world/life balance initiatives, and created Nike's Office of Global Diversity.
Prior to his tenure at Nike, Coleman spent 20 years at SC Johnson, joining the company in 1981 as manager of compensation and benefits with a focus on the design and implementation of executive compensation programs. He quickly rose through the ranks, working across a variety of human resources functions such as international human resource services and manufacturing. As SC Johnson further expanded its international operations, in 1989, Coleman was transferred to London as regional human resources director, where he assumed responsibility for the Southern Europe, Africa and Middle East territories, as well as manufacturing plants in Holland.
Beginning in 1993, Coleman was given a two-year special assignment as assistant to president & CEO William George, focusing on organizational development, special projects, integrating Drackett into the organization following its acquisition, and leading the task force for SC Johnson's nascent mentoring program. In 1995, he was elevated to director of human resources for North America, and one year later was promoted to vice president. Coleman's expertise in human resources policy, strategic initiatives, management development, and executive recruitment led the company to again utilize his talents overseas as the head of all human resources activities for the Asia/Pacific region. In this role, he was responsible for supporting the company's expansion into emerging markets such as China and Vietnam, increasing market share in established markets such as Japan, and identifying and fostering local talent throughout the region.
Through the years, Coleman has remained actively involved in a wide range of philanthropic activities centered largely on youth and education. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Hampton University, while also serving on the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board, and the Ray Charles Foundation Board of Directors.
Previously he has served on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Urban League and assisted the Jackie Robinson Foundation. In addition, he was a board member of INROADS Oregon, SMART, and S.E.I., all of which offer rich educational opportunities to underprivileged and minority youth through academic programs that range from athletics and summer internships to third grade reading programs and fundraisers. He has also been involved with the United Negro College Fund and the Milwaukee Art Museum and his extensive involvement in volunteer programs earned him the prestigious H. F. Johnson Community Service Award.
A native of Halifax, Virginia, Coleman earned a B.S. degree in business management from Hampton University and holds a M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.