La Shon Cole

La Shon D. Cole joined the BLM in December 2020 as the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, which is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to her arrival at the BLM, she served 8 years as the Deputy Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Upon graduating from American University, Washington College of Law, in 2002, Cole began her federal civilian career as a Presidential Management Fellow with the Department of the Army. She served as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist for more than 6 years in progressively senior roles, including as Chief of Compliance for the Army’s Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Diversity and Leadership, Office of EEO Compliance and Complaints Review. Cole is a native of the District of Columbia and is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.