When Amelia Hardy reflects on her career, one lesson rises above the rest: “Your network is your greatest asset.” It’s a philosophy rooted in her own journey—from a college student interning through INROADS to an executive reshaping one of America’s leading retailers.

Amelia’s path began in 1992 as a Marketing and Finance Intern with Sprint while studying at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1998. “INROADS provided me with a strong foundation by teaching me public speaking, how to write a résumé, how to dress for success, and many other critical business skills,” she recalls. “My internship gave me insight into how Corporate America works and how to seek out mentors and supervisors to help navigate your career experience.” Those early experiences shaped a mindset that continues to guide her leadership today, grounded in preparation, connection, and purpose.

After earning her MBA from Tulane University, Amelia launched a career that would span more than two decades across Fortune 100 companies. Her journey included 14 years at 3M, where she rose through the ranks from Brand Associate to Global Business Unit Manager, leading multimillion-dollar product portfolios and earning the 3M Global Marketing Professionalism Award. In 2014, she joined Best Buy, where she quickly became known as a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who blends strategy with inclusion. Over the past decade, Amelia has held roles ranging from Director of Brand Marketing to Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President of Talent Acquisition—a position that allowed her to help shape company culture from the inside out.

Now serving as Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Planning, Amelia oversees enterprise brand development, annual marketing planning, and promotional strategies that drive both revenue and engagement. Her approach combines data-driven insight with a human-centered perspective, ensuring that inclusion and innovation remain at the heart of Best Buy’s growth. Her leadership has earned her wide recognition, including being named one of the Top 100 DEI Officers by Diversity & Leadership, Inc., a Savoy Most Influential Executive, a Women We Admire Honoree, and a Twin Cities Most Notable BIPOC Executive.

Beyond the corporate boardroom, Amelia is a dedicated community advocate. She serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities, MEDA, The Cowles Center, FORESIGHT, and Minnesota Community Care. Her work reflects a deep commitment to eradicating racial and social inequities—both in the workplace and in the broader community.
Mentorship remains a defining thread throughout Amelia’s life. The same principles that guided her as an INROADS intern continue to influence how she leads and gives back. Her INROADS experience even inspired her daughter to join the INROADS Minneapolis–St. Paul College Links program, continuing a family legacy of opportunity and leadership.

Amelia’s story is one of vision and continuity—a testament to how preparation, purpose, and equity can coexist in business leadership. Her aspirations remain steady: to mentor the next generation, to build pathways for belonging, and to ensure that equity is not an initiative but a strategy for sustainable success.

Her guidance to today’s INROADS interns is grounded in experience and authenticity: seek out mentors, build relationships with those who can help you navigate your journey, show up prepared for every opportunity, and lead with empathy—because true leadership is about creating space where everyone can thrive.