Bojangles hires first Black person in a top leadership role in over 40 years

Bojangles has named its first Black leader in its over four-decade history, a role where Monica Sauls will lead the human resources department and focus on company culture at the fast-food restaurant chain.

The move comes as Bojangles also is looking to hire more than 30,000 people over the next year “due to expected growth and demand.”

Sauls is the first African-American to serve on Bojangles’ senior leadership team in the company’s 43-year history, according to a company news release. She begins her new role Tuesday in the newly-created position of chief people officer leading human resources and company culture.

Sauls will help “build on our commitment to diversity and inclusion to create a culture where all employees are respected and valued,” said Bojangles CEO Jose Amario. He said Sauls’ role is critical because of Bojangles’ big hiring plans over the next year.

The company did not immediately make Sauls available for an interview.

In her new executive role, Sauls will oversee employee development, diversity and inclusion of the Charlotte-based chicken-and-biscuit chain.

Sauls has 20 years of experience leading human resources, most recently with Duke Energy’s Fossil Hydro and Nuclear divisions and Boeing Co., as well as Walgreens and Ingersoll Rand.

She has a master’s degree in human resources and industrial relations from University of Minnesota Twin Cities and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Sauls replaces Vickie Smith, senior vice president of human resources, who retired after more than 25 years.

Bojangles has about 750 restaurants in 11 states, according to the company.

This story was originally published September 9, 2020 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Bojangles hires first Black person in a top leadership role in over 40 years."