Clifford WatkinFounder & Chief People Officer, Circle Strategies; Co-Chair of FACCNE's HR Forum

Clifford Watkin has a stellar record of success helping companies implement human resources strategies that supplement growth, attract and retain talent, and embrace diversity. As Clifford has created comprehensive employee acquisition and retention strategies for private sector employers, professional services firms and non-profit organizations.

His work covers the gamut of HR issues including legal compliance, performance management, on-boarding and creating effective corporate cultures. His personal experience drives his passion to help bring about success for minority-owned businesses and corporate organizations. Assisting companies to develop and manage a diverse workforce brings together smart business practices and policies that improve top line revenue, bottom line growth and increased employee satisfaction.

In South Africa, where Clifford grew up, he saw first-hand the difference it can make when people have equal access to capital, land, education and resources. Clifford is a regular speaker at the Northeast Human Resources Association and Employee Benefits Council. Writing for the Boston Business Journal and Employee Benefits News, Clifford is a reliable human resources expert. Clifford is also an adjunct faculty member in Human Resources for Salem State University and SHRM certification instructor at North Shore Community College. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Northeastern University. In 2017, Clifford was selected to be the HR strategic adviser for Eastern Bank’s Business Equity Initiative, a program developed to help accelerate the growth of Hispanic and African-American owned local enterprises.