Dionne McLean

Dionne McLean is a project manager at RTI where she serves as a liaison to various business units for developing strategic engagement processes and a pipeline of potential partnerships in support of RTI’s research and procurement efforts. She creates and manages cross functional teams of business unit leaders to help structure and support diversity partnership initiatives. Additionally, her efforts help develop community partnerships with small, disadvantaged minority-owned businesses.

Currently, Ms. McLean manages two diversity initiatives: a diverse subcontractor inclusion and engagement project by business units and a diverse supplier inclusion and engagement by general and administrative (G&A) departments. She is also supporting RTI subcontractor business development opportunities for diverse-owned prime contractors. She disseminates information about RTI’s expertise and capabilities via outreach and collaboration with external advocacy groups.

Prior to joining RTI in 2010, Ms. McLean was a center director and education specialist with Communities in Schools of Wake County. She supervised operations and oversaw education, mentoring, and community relations program for two learning centers. She cultivated community partnerships with colleges, universities, the Raleigh Police Department (PD), and the YMCA to bring community resources and programs within underserved communities. She also collaborated with Wake County Public Schools to provide backpack meals for students during the summer, GED programs for adults to complete their education, and long-term suspension programs for students who needed to earn course credit to return to school the following academic year.

In addition to her work, Ms. McLean is affiliated with several professional organizations. These include the Leadership North Carolina Class 29 Alumni, Triangle Supplier Diversity Practitioners Alliance, RTP DEI Collective, and RTI’s Equity Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Leadership Council.