About

Dr. Sarah
Toutant

PhD, SHRM-SCP · HR Executive · Scholar-Practitioner · Speaker

Dr. Sarah Toutant speaking at USC
Speaker
PhD, Education Policy, USC Rossier
M.Ed., Postsecondary Admin, USC
SHRM Senior Certified Professional
Current Role
Director of People, Culture and Development, CCRC
National Role
Co-Director of Programs, National Human Resources Association
Experience
10+ Years HR and People Leadership
Org Scale
Supported HR for 1,300+ Employee Organization
My Story

Scholar.
Practitioner.
Builder.

I'm Dr. Sarah Toutant, a people-centered HR leader with a PhD from USC Rossier, SHRM-SCP certification, and 10+ years building high-performing organizations, shaping workforce strategy, and leading human capital transformation across nonprofit, higher education, and consulting environments.

I believe the way an organization treats its people is its most honest statement of values. That belief drives everything I do as an HR executive. I currently serve as Director of People, Culture and Development at Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), a mission-driven nonprofit with 1,300+ employees across multiple sites in LA, supporting the full HR enterprise while serving as a key thought partner to executive leadership on the intersection of people and organizational performance.

My background is a little unconventional, and I think that's a strength. I spent six years at USC in talent development and organizational effectiveness, serving as a people partner to CHROs and senior university leaders before moving into enterprise HR leadership. My academic foundation shapes how I lead: curious, grounded in evidence, and oriented toward real outcomes.

Outside my day-to-day role, I serve as Co-Director of Programs for the National Human Resources Association, elected by peers to shape the national learning agenda for HR professionals across the country.

What I'm Known For

  • Building cultures where people actually want to stay
  • Modernizing HR operations without losing the human touch
  • Developing leaders at every level, not just at the top
  • Translating complex workforce challenges into clear, strategic action
  • Being the HR partner that leaders actually call when things get hard
  • Leveraging AI and people analytics to modernize HR without losing the human element
  • Navigating compliance, policy, and employment law to keep organizations protected and aligned

My north star: building organizations where people are not just supported, they are positioned to thrive.

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Dr. Toutant, PhD
University of San Francisco Campus
Dr. Toutant and Angela Davis
Dr. Toutant and Angela Davis, University of San Francisco
Education

Academic
Foundation

University of Southern California
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Urban Education Policy
Higher Education Emphasis · Cognate: Critical Examination of Race and Ethnicity
Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California
Master of Education (M.Ed.), Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs
Rossier School of Education
University of San Francisco
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Bachelor of Arts, Critical Diversity Studies
Teaching

University
Teaching Experience

Co-Instructor, EDUC 599: Race in Education
USC Rossier School of Education

PhD. Co-created the syllabus, developed readings and assignments, taught class sessions, and managed course operations and grading for graduate-level students.

Co-Instructor, EDUC 681: Research, Policy and Practice in Urban Education
USC Rossier School of Education

PhD-level mandatory course. Revised curriculum, facilitated discussions, and supported students in developing policy solutions for K-12 schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions.

Co-Instructor, Hiring a Diverse Faculty
USC Race and Equity Center

A four-part national professional learning experience for university search committees. Administered the online experience for over 400 professionals across the United States.

Scholarship

Publications and
Research

Published
Spotlight on Six Marginalized Populations in American Higher Education

Hoffman, J., and Toutant, S. (2018). In Contexts for Diversity and Gender Identities in Higher Education: International Perspectives on Equity and Inclusion (pp. 155-168). Emerald Publishing Limited.

The Digital Equity Project

Tynes, B., Schuschke, J., Kim, A., Stewart, A., Toutant, S. (2017). Los Angeles: University of Southern California Center for Empowered Learning and Development with Technology.

Recognition

Honors and
Awards

The Order of Arete
USC, nominated by Faculty and Staff
Exemplar Award
Black Student Association, USC
Trojan Excellence Award
Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, USC
Outstanding First Year Student
Rossier School of Education, USC
Dean's Scholar
University of Southern California
Research Paper Prize, Critical Diversity Studies
University of San Francisco
Research Paper Prize, African American Studies
University of San Francisco
Esther Madriz Prize for Social Justice
Sociology Department, USF
Father Paul John P. Schlegel, S.J. Award
President's Office, USF
Mentor of the Year
Center for Academic and Student Achievement, USF