An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

My Coast Guard
Commentary | June 22, 2021

Coast Guard designates interim D&I advisor

The U.S. Coast Guard has designated Michelle Godfrey as the interim Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion (SADI).

“To remain the world's best Coast Guard, we must be the world's most diverse and inclusive Coast Guard,” said Adm. Charles W. Ray, who announced the appointment just before his retirement last week. “Please join me in congratulating Ms. Godfrey on her new role, and in supporting her in these duties which are so critical to becoming the most inclusive Coast Guard.”

The FY21 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to appoint a Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion (SADI) who reports directly to the Commandant.

The designation of a SADI is also in alignment with early recommendations received from the RAND Corporation's Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) in their Holistic Study and Analysis on the Recruiting and Retention of Underrepresented Minorities in the Coast Guard. It also supports the Coast Guard Strategic Plan and the 2019-2023 Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Godfrey has been the Coast Guard’s Director of Civilian Human Resources, Diversity and Leadership (CG-12) since October 2017. Before coming to CG-12, Ms. Godfrey served at NASA Headquarters as the Director, Human Resources Management Division. She was responsible for planning, leading, and evaluating integrated human resources activities and services, workforce planning, and strategic needs analyses for NASA Headquarters.

As SADI, Godfrey will be responsible for providing advice, guidance, and coordination for all matters related to diversity and inclusion, including:

the establishment of training in diversity dynamics and training in practices for leading diverse groups effectively;
advising on, and assisting in, evaluations and assessments of diversity;
developing a strategic diversity and inclusion plan; and
developing strategic goals and measures of performance related to efforts to attract and retain the diverse population of the United States eligible to serve in the Armed Forces.


This designation will remain in effect until a permanent SADI position is established.

Resources