BLOOMFIELD, CT, June 18, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Edwina Cogdell has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Cogdell has distinguished herself as a leading authority in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, with a career spanning more than four decades and marked by progressive leadership roles in major organizations. Since 2022, she has served as the U.S. Market Lead for Inclusion and Culture at Unilever in Hoboken, New Jersey. In this capacity, she partners with business and human resources leaders to develop and implement strategies that strengthen belonging, enhance leadership capability, support talent development, and create inclusive employee experiences aligned with organizational priorities. She also designs and delivers initiatives that foster employee engagement, deepen cultural awareness, and advance organizational effectiveness.

A central component of Dr. Cogdell's work is providing strategic guidance to employee resource groups, positioning these communities as catalysts for connection, professional development, and organizational impact. Her expertise in this area is further informed by her doctoral research examining the influence of employee resource groups on both individual and organizational outcomes.

Prior to joining Unilever, Dr. Cogdell spent more than 30 years at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, Connecticut, serving in leadership roles across business operations and diversity and inclusion. From 2016 to 2022, she served as Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Learning Operations, leading initiatives that advanced inclusion, strengthened leadership capability, and supported talent strategies. Earlier in her career, she led large operational teams and drove initiatives that enhanced operational effectiveness and supported key business objectives.

In addition to her corporate achievements, Dr. Cogdell has made meaningful contributions to academia and community leadership development. She has served as a visiting lecturer at colleges and universities throughout Connecticut, sharing her expertise in leadership, career readiness, and organizational effectiveness. She also facilitates leadership development training for churches and community groups, equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead with effectiveness and purpose.

Dr. Cogdell is also deeply involved in civic organizations. Since 2005, she has served as a church administrator at First Church of the Living God, partnering with the Bishop to execute the church vision, manage financial operations, and lead leadership development initiatives within the congregation. Additionally, she is a board member of ACES Elite Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to removing financial barriers that prevent children from participating in sports by covering costs related to athletic equipment and transportation.

Academically, Dr. Cogdell's credentials are extensive and directly inform her professional practice. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an emphasis in industrial and organizational psychology from Grand Canyon University in Arizona in 2026 while balancing a full-time career and extensive community commitments. Her dissertation focused on employee resource groups and their outcomes for individuals and organizations—a subject that remains central to her work today. She also holds a Master of Science in organizational psychology and a Bachelor's Degree in business administration and management, both from the University of Hartford. She is also an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Reflecting on her career, Dr. Cogdell attributes her success to exceptional mentors who have guided her throughout her journey, as well as a strong family network that has provided unwavering support. Her personal hunger for learning drives her continual pursuit of professional growth—not only for her own advancement but also so she can share knowledge effectively with others.

In her personal life, Dr. Cogdell is married and part of a blended family with five adult children. Looking ahead, she intends to publish professional articles based on her doctoral dissertation research and author a book focused on belonging that will provide corporations, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions with practical guidance on building inclusive environments where individuals are empowered to learn, lead, and succeed.

Dr. Cogdell is also guided by a strong sense of purpose rooted in her faith, which informs both her personal and professional life. She strives to lead with integrity, excellence, and compassion while fostering inclusive environments that cultivate belonging, engagement, and excellence. Through her work, she is committed to uplifting others and making a meaningful, lasting impact on the organizations and communities she serves.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #