Ovell Barbee

Ovell Barbee is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With over 20 years of executive HR experience in a broad range of industries, Mr. Barbee is known for developing innovative workforce strategies that leverage best practices to propel companies to the next level.

At Spectrum Health, Mr. Barbee oversees a 100-member HR team and has led multiple HR functions including talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation, and performance management to support over 30,000 employees.

In addition to his role in human resources, Mr. Barbee also serves as the Chief Diversity Officer at Spectrum Health where he has worked to transform policies and practices to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2020, Mr. Barbee launched a landmark, company-wide “Day of Understanding” to give a voice to marginalized employees and instituted a new unconscious bias training program to promote open dialogue. Under Mr. Barbee’s leadership, Spectrum Health has been recognized as a forerunner in diversity and inclusion practices, being named among the Top-40 Best Employers for Diverse Talent.