Senior Leadership Team Diversity Subcommittee

The Diversity Subcommittee of Advocates’ Senior Leadership Team provides guidance and oversite of all initiatives related to diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence. Comprised of senior-level staff, the Diversity Subcommittee meets monthly, sponsors quarterly diversity trainings for senior leaders, and promotes and upholds the following principles:

• We believe that diversity adds value and enriches out lives.
• Diversity is fundamentally connected to a mission and set of values involving inclusion, contribution, partnership, empowerment, opportunities for all.
• If we are culturally competent, we will attract a larger pool of candidates for employment. We will then have a larger pool of internal candidates for senior leadership positions, and a more racially diverse senior management team.
• We are committed to the retention of good staff. Without the right organizational culture and supports in place, good people will fail.
• People can and will work well – can fulfill the mission of the organization – in environments free of racial tension.
• With an explicit commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competence and clear policy with implementation and support, staff are confident about organizational intolerance of racial tension.
• The absence of diversity at leadership levels conveys the message that it’s not possible to be heard.
• A certain percentage of individuals and families will feel more comfortable and confident receiving our services; that said, it’s not as simple as “a diverse constituency needs a diverse staff.”
• Lack of attention to these issues is a barrier to providing good services to those who need them.
• State, federal, and private funding sources are looking for evidence of ways in which we provide culturally competent care and for diversity at these levels:
  • Board
  • Executive Leadership
  • Senior Leadership.