Nikita Pearson

Nikita Pearson has over 25 years of experience in financial services, currently serving as Deputy to the Chairman for External Affairs and Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) at the FDIC. In this dual role, she advises the Board, shapes external outreach, and guides mission communication. Pearson adjudicates discrimination cases and functions as the agency’s Chief Diversity Officer. She's transformed diversity efforts among 6,000 employees across 80 locations, earning the 2022 Association of Government Accountants inaugural diversity award. Pearson directs the FDIC's Financial Institution Diversity Program for 3,000+ institutions and champions supplier diversity with over $680 million in contracts awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses in two years. She has testified before Congress and serves on three White House Initiatives. Prior to joining the executive team, Pearson served as a commissioned bank examiner responsible for assessing banks’ safety, s