Debbie Rhodes
Vice President of Human Resources, CGI Federal
With a career spanning over 20 years, Debbie Rhodes leads multiple functions across the employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, HR operations, employee engagement, learning and development and organizational development for about 7,000 professionals.
Rhodes is at the center of a diverse portfolio of initiatives that encourages collaboration, empowers employees and drives growth, sustaining and strengthening an empowered workplace culture. To CGI employees (known as members), Rhodes acts as coach and advisor, providing opportunities for career development, resources for health and well-being, and an internal community of support, transparency and partnership.
She recently partnered with CGI’s Strategic Engagement and Inclusion Practice to integrate equity and inclusion priorities into processes and businesses across the company, informed by a strategic vision and implemented with ongoing initiatives. Her 360-degree approach to mentorship ⏤ through traditional, peer and reverse mentoring ⏤ has led to over 600 CGI employees currently acting in mentorship roles or seeking mentorship opportunities.
“Bringing people together to learn, develop, and foster equitable spaces at CGI, where everyone can authentically belong and grow, is at the heart of my team’s mission,” Rhodes said. “When we uplift our members and give them the tools and resources to help find a purpose and value that’s unique to them, it creates a domino effect that touches every part of the organization.”
Rhodes’ impact throughout CGI can be seen in her administration of leadership development, advancement and diversification. Implementing learning and development resources and tools, scaling executive coaching, and introducing new human capital analytics has evolved CGI’s approach to performance, global talent identification and successor development. In directing the diversification and growth of leaders, Rhodes is a navigator guiding CGI to last and lead for generations.
Why Watch
Rhodes continues to broaden the reach of initiatives such as CGI’s Career Advocate Program, designed to expand networks, improve leadership skills and influence career development across the organization. And in partnership with CGI’s global Oxygen team, she is also facilitating the company’s transition to a hybrid workplace through various learning and development opportunities, one program being “Managers on the Move”, which gives leaders the tools to perform effectively off- or on-site as post-pandemic workplaces continue to evolve.