Originally published by Marquis Who’s Who, Oct. 4, 2024
Armin McCrea-Dastur, PhD, has been recognized 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. McCrea-Dastur has carved a distinguished career across various sectors for nearly three decades. As the founder and president of Diamond Consulting Corp. since 2023, she has dedicated herself to enhancing organizational and sport performance through strategic leadership and innovation. As a senior consultant in organizational design at AlignOrg Solutions, she supports organizations in reaching their strategic objectives through tailored organizational choices that set them apart from the competition. Concurrently, she serves as the executive vice president of talent, culture, and chief diversity officer at Social Purpose Corrections, a 501(c)3 organization that aspires to enact positive change and reform in the way incarcerated individuals are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. This work establishes a new model that prioritizes successful re-entry over profit, thereby contributing to broader societal benefits. Additionally, her role as an adjunct professor at Purdue University Global, in their psychology department since 2021, underscores her commitment to education and mentorship in her field. She was also newly appointed to the business school adjunct faculty at her alma mater, The University of Connecticut, starting in the spring semester of 2025.
Prior to these roles, Dr. McCrea-Dastur played a key role as the vice president of talent, organizational development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion at CoreCivic from 2020 to 2022 and vice president of talent management at EssilorLuxottica from 2018 to 2020. She served in talent development at Danone from 2016 to 2018 after serving as global talent management lead and associate director of talent and organizational effectiveness at Mondelez International between 2012 and 2016. This is where she accomplished one of the highlights of her career, leading the change management of the North American region during the spin-off of Mondelez International from the former Kraft Foods Group. Her career also includes significant contributions to The Kraft Heinz Company as senior manager of talent and organizational effectiveness from 2007 to 2012.
Her foundational experiences in team and leadership development came from her experience with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill men’s basketball program from 1996 to 2006. Her role in recruiting and front office management provided the vital provision needed to support the coaches and athletes in winning the 2005 NCAA National Championship. She continues to guide young athletes in the achievement of their goals as the sport psychologist with The International Skating Center of Connecticut. Her work is encouraging more females to excel and flourish in the sport of ice hockey.
Dr. McCrea-Dastur’s foundation in psychology was established with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Connecticut in 1993, followed by a Master of Science in sports psychology from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, in 2004. She went on to obtain a Master of Arts in organizational psychology from The Chicago School in 2008 and a doctorate in organizational leadership at the same institution in 2014.
Known for her contributions to her community, Dr. McCrea-Dastur is committed to activities such as working with the local high school to foster performance enhancement, teamwork, and leadership development. She has a talent for seeing potential in people that they may not recognize and is dedicated to guiding others to reach success.