Karrah Herring

Herring was born in South Bend, Indiana.^[9] She earned a Bachelors of Arts in Communications/Public Relations from Purdue University in 2005 and a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University in 2011.^[10]

For a decade, Herring worked at the University of Notre Dame. She was the Director of Public Affairs in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at the university. Then prior to this role, she was the Director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator.^[10] As the Director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator, Herring oversaw workplace compliance with federal and state laws. This included Title IX, Title VII, ADA, EEO, and affirmative action.

In November 2020, Governor Eric Holcomb appointed Herring as Indiana's first Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer.^[3] This position was created after Holcomb announced in an address to the state in August 2020 actions that would be taken to "reduce racial inequity in the Hoosier State".^[11]

It was in January 2025, that incoming Governor Mike Braun signed a series of 9 executive orders. One of those executive orders eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in state government. This executive order shuttered the state's Office of CEIOO and removed Herring's position from the governor of Indiana's cabinet, along with four other employees.^[12]