Leaders on the Move

She has delivered solid results in Human Resources Management in leadership roles for Fortune 500 corporations. Her success has been driven by her ability to build highly effective strategies that achieved corporate objectives related to recruitment, talent acquisition, organizational transformation, communications, and leadership development.

Patrice is skilled at leveraging a unique mix of visionary, strategic, operations, and analytical expertise, by aligning staff talents with organizational objectives. She has led Technical Operations with facilities in North America, Switzerland, Germany, and Singapore. Patrice is an influential leader who creates immediate impact, produces results, and fuels operational excellence.

Astara is adept at helping the hospital successfully manage its Compliance and Privacy Program, including monitoring, investigations and tracking incidents as well as ensuring patients' rights in compliance with governing laws.

Her position requires exquisite tact, especially when it comes to internal matters. "I have to constantly figure out how to tell an organization or individual that they need to correct or change a habit," Crews shares. "It's a matter of finesse to convey this message and persuade someone to see something differently in a positive way."

Having blazed a path, Crews now helps other women across a variety of platforms, including the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, the Women's Leadership Institute, and the American Academy of Professional Coders, for which she spearheaded an innovative mentorship program. Ms. Crews is a recipient of the 914INC Women in Business Honor by Westchester Magazine.

Most recently, Whitnei introduced a comprehensive Inclusion & Diversity program within Optum, in partnership with the VP of Training, including monthly panel discussions and small group sessions. The program has been featured in Training Magazine (November 2021 edition) and the Fredrickson Learning Leader Roundtable. Whitnei also serves as a champion for several UHG Inclusion and Diversity programs, including the African American Experience, Women LEAD, and Inclusive Learning Experience.

Whitnei earned an M.A. in Clinical Counseling from The Citadel/Webster University and a B.S. in Psychology from the College of Charleston. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Scrum Master, and Center for Creative Leadership certified Executive Coach.

Her approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion creates opportunities through internal and external community building, using data-driven insights to cultivate positive cultural shifts toward unbiased recruitment, promotion practices, and an increased sense of belonging.

Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions at Girls Inc. of Westchester County and Family Services of Westchester. She formerly served as Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, and Director of Community Development at PCSB Bank. She is also Principal of Nicholas Counseling Services, and she founded Sexual Assault and Family Education (S.A.F.E.) Guyana, which supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and those struggling with mental health and other social issues.

She has been recognized by Westchester Magazine, the Westchester Business Council, The Network Journal, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Caribbean Life, Women of Mission International, and Face2Face Africa. She has chaired and serves several organizations including Women in Oil and Gas Guyana, Rotary Club of Wall Street, NonProfit Westchester, Westchester's Women Agenda, and Westchester County's African American Advisory Board.