Ethnic GEM, Yaselis “Selly” Dubique
TITLE: Human Resource Business Partner and Senior Manager
COMPANY: Reebok
STATE: Massachusetts

Written by Wesley Webb, Senior Writer

Human Resource Business Partner and Senior Manager of Reebok, Yaselis “Selly” Dubique applied for various jobs after earning her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts, where she studied Human Resources and Social work. While filling the required forms and documents necessary for employment, Shelly quickly took notice the lack of understanding and overall advantages entailed with a benefit package and how they would apply to her.

As a person of color, Selly noticed this was an ongoing trend for those in her community working in corporate America. “It wasn’t until I became close to a coworker who was white that I started to realize I was missing out on so much and most importantly that I really cared about what kind of company I worked for and what are some of the things that are truly important to me.”

Dubique, composes as 11% of the management team at Reebok, who identifies as Black or African American and 29% of women that compose of the company’s executive team. Dubique notes that her career of choice isn’t “advertised as the go to profession not at home or at schools however it’s one I knew I needed to work my way into once I started working at a corporate job.”

During Selly’s formative years her due diligence, being a part of multiple programs and was enrolled at schools that offered mentorship’s. Her time at the Epiphany School, in Boston, she was mentored by Ayana Presley who would later become the first black woman elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress. During her transition from high school to undergrad Shelly joined The Year Up program, and the Alrays program. There she was assigned to a mentor from her community of Boston, “who not just understood but lived my struggles and overcame them…these mentors contributed so much to who I am today.”

As a mother, wife, and HR professional, Selly has achieved over a decade of project management and business relationship experience. Like her mentors, she is passionate on applying her own isolated experiences to enhance company value by applying diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism in the workplace.

Selly’s personal journey is true representation of passion for overcoming adversity and “keeping her eyes on the “price”, the well-being of her own.” As current property owners, Dubique and her husband are manifesting to acquire additional properties within the next five years. In addition, they hope to accomplish their next big project, which Selly says, “involves us no longer working for another, but instead heading and leasing our own company.”

Say hello to Ethnic GEM: Yaselis “Selly” Dubique