Vice President, Global Corporate Relations, Steelcase Inc.
Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award
2015
Bio:
During his 36-year career with Steelcase Inc., the Grand Rapids-based global leader in the office furniture industry, Brian D. Cloyd ’73, ’76 has distinguished himself as a corporate leader and champion of positive personal, community and corporate relations.
In his current position as vice president of Global Corporate Relations, he is responsible for coordinating Steelcase efforts in the areas of diversity, government relations and public policy, corporate relations, community giving and volunteer programs. He also works with the environmental team to support Steelcase’s sustainability strategies.
Since joining the firm in 1978, he has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, starting in the human resources area and being appointed vice president in 2006. Previously, he was employed by the City of Grand Rapids as a job training supervisor for economically disadvantaged people.
A native of St. Louis, Cloyd attended the University of Detroit earning his bachelor’s degree in history in 1973 and his master’s degree in political science, with an emphasis on public administration in 1976.
Cloyd generously shares his time and expertise through his participation on numerous boards and community organizations. He currently serves as chair of the Boards of the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, Meijer Garden and Sculpture Park and the Grand Rapids University Preparatory Association. He is also a member of the UDM Board of Trustees and the Dean’s Advisory Board for the UDM College of Liberal Arts & Education.
A strong believer in the value of education, Cloyd recognizes the accomplishments of several of his relatives who earned college degrees in the 1930s and 40s, which, as he states, “was no small undertaking for an African American.” He especially admires his dad, a doctor who was educated at Xavier University, for imparting the values of fairness and leadership through his adage, “When a door is cracked, you kick it open and make sure as many people as possible follow you through it.”
Distinguished graduate of the College of Liberal Arts & Education, Brian Cloyd was honored with the Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award on April 17, 2015.
Citation:
Brian Cloyd has distinguished himself as a corporate leader and champion of positive personal, community and corporate relations throughout his 36-year career with Steelcase Inc., the Grand Rapids-based global leader in the office furniture industry.
In his current position as vice president of Global Corporate Relations, he skillfully coordinates Steelcase efforts in the areas of diversity, government relations and public policy, corporate relations, community giving and volunteer programs.
Strongly committed to education and community service, he generously contributes his time and expertise to numerous schools and organizations, including Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. He is also a member of the UDM Board of Trustees.
Recognized for his many contributions in the Grand Rapids area, he is the recipient of the 2014 Giant Award and the Phyllis Scott Activist Award.