Meet the Management Advisory Council Officers

Jeri D. Beckford, J.D

CHAIR

Jeri D. Beckford currently works for the Department of Transportation as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist II in its Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  

Jeri’s tendency to champion the underdog naturally lead her to pursue a career in civil rights advocacy.  Her twelve (12) years of public service for the State of Connecticut began working for the oldest civil rights agency in America, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO).   Within one year of joining the CHRO Affirmative Action/Contract Compliance Unit, Jeri redesigned and revitalized the enforcement of Connecticut’s dormant supplier diversity set-aside statutes.  Jeri’s work at CHRO strengthened the participation of Connecticut’s small, ethnic minority, women and disabled owed business enterprises working on state-funded construction projects.  While at CHRO, Jeri received her Mediation Certification and began assisting the CHRO legal department with the negotiation and mediation of employment discrimination complaints. 

Jeri’s career ascended to the ranks of state management when she accepted a promotion to work at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in its Affirmative Action Office (DMHAS AAO).  There, Jeri spent her days updating the agency’s anti-discrimination policies, writing the agency’s Affirmative Action Plan, and investigating employee-initiated discrimination complaints (including ADA and sexual harassment).  After two years with the DMHAS AAO, Jeri accepted another promotion to work at the Department of Children and Families in its Office of Diversity and Equity (DCF ODE).    While at the DCF ODE, Jeri coached and trained agency administrators and their employees in federal and state affirmative action and equal employment opportunity mandated compliance matters; sexual harassment prevention; Title IX; minority recruitment and retention; and best practices in creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment for the state’s workforce.  

Jeri has a Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) in Sociology (with a Criminology emphasis) from the University of Denver in Colorado, and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Connecticut.

When not overseeing the implementation and compliance of civil rights within the State’s business and employment practices, Jeri and her family can be found on a flight to visit her childhood home located in Denver, Colorado.

Nicholas Jerard

VICE CHAIR

Kristin Karr

TREASURER

Ronald A. Simpson

SECRETARY