Irasa Downing

Principal, Organization Consulting Edward Jones

Edward Jones Principal Irasa Downing leads Organizational Consulting. She’s a strategic thinker who contributes to the future of the firm by focusing on the development and evolution of the firm’s capabilities. Irasa is responsible for leading the Centers of Excellence for culture, organization effectiveness, workforce planning, and high-performance team effectiveness in strategy, design and execution for the firm.

She works in partnership to lead the development and execution of the talent strategy, which encompasses how Edward Jones attracts, develops and engages a diverse and inclusive workforce. Irasa is also member of the Human Resources Strategy Team, Diversity Equity and inclusion Strategy Committee and an Executive Sponsor for the Black and African American Business Resource Group.

Irasa joined Edward Jones in 2012 as the area human resources leader responsible for the central division of Branch Development. There, she spearheaded a multitude of projects, including helping define the financial advisor role as the leader of his or her branch team and spearhead the strategic plan for building and implementing a field human resources organization.

She was named the director of Human Resources for the Client Strategies Group in 2014 and immediately set to work, developing and executing a five-year talent strategy and developing talent metrics to ensure alignment with the firm’s five-year talent strategy, which includes increased representation of women and people of color.  Irasa was named Principal in 2019.

Irasa has extensive experience in the human resources industry and human resources manager for Energizer Battery Inc. Prior to coming to Edward Jones she was the Director, Human Resources at MGP ingredients overseeing Corporate and Manufacturing plants.

A native of Winfield, Mo., Irasa attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg earning her Bachelor of Science Degree. She also holds the professional designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

She and her husband, Kurtis, have two daughters, Kira and Kumari.

Irasa has served with Connections to Success, formerly known as Dress for Success, since 2013. She is a Deaconess with her church First Baptist Church of Chesterfield. Irasa has also been a part of many organizations in St. Louis and Kansas as a part of her community impact.