Washington State DEI Empowerment Conference 2024
Welcome! The 2024 DEI Empowerment Conference will be held virtually over Zoom on Wednesday June 5, Thursday June 6, Tuesday June 11 and Wednesday June 12.
This annual event is designed by and for Washington state employees. Admission is free and open to all employees of Washington state agencies, boards, and commissions
Download the Save-the-Date (.ics) and save to your Outlook calendar. Subscribe to receive conference updates by email.
Updates
Speaker Announcements
We are excited to announce a few of the speakers for the 2024 conference schedule. In the schedule section below, you will see a list of presentations. Click the specific date tab to see the presentation description and the speaker bios. We will continue to add presentation details and speaker information over the next several weeks. Registration will open May 1.
Book Giveaway - "So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo
We are excited to have so much interest in this book giveaway! We have received several hundred requests for books and we will be able to fulfill most of them. However, we have closed the request form to new requests.
We are proud that so many of our state employees are interested in this content and are on a personal journey toward equity and anti-racism.
Conference Details
The 2024 DEI Empowerment Conference will be held virtually over Zoom Wednesday June 5, Thursday June 6, Tuesday June 11 and Wednesday June 12.
The conference dates have been thoughtfully chosen not to overlap with important Business Resource Group (BRG) annual events. We encourage team members to attend virtual and in-person BRG events, including those being planned by WIN, BUILD, and RAIN during the month of June! We are excited to partner with our BRG community!
Equity & Belonging Through Disrupting Policy & Practice
The 2024 WA DEI Empowerment Conference theme is Equity & Belonging Through Disrupting Policy & Practice. When we say “Disrupting,” we are focusing on the importance of pausing and analyzing current policies and practices to help us identify and remove barriers.
We are committed to supporting statewide and agency-specific efforts to build a broad path towards equity, anti-racism and belonging in the workplace. All employees have the power to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace.
Ways to Watch
Live Virtual Sessions
We encourage you to block time on your calendar to attend the live sessions. While we strive to provide accessible solutions like recorded sessions for later playback, some sessions may only be available live (e.g., for presenter safety or due to other concerns).
Conference with Colleagues
We will also have "Conference with Colleagues" gatherings that will welcome state employees to watch virtual sessions together, in person, in Olympia and Spokane. More details to come!
Schedule
Select a tab to see available sessions for each day. Register here starting May 1!
| Session Title | Date | Presenter(s) | Registration/Password |
|---|---|---|---|
| Be a Revolution! - Welcome Keynote with Ijeoma Oluo | Jun 5, 2024 - 8:30am | Ijeoma Oluo (she/her) |
|
| Coming Soon! | Jun 5, 2024 - 10:30am |
|
|
| Equity and Belonging – Why am I so emotional? | Jun 5, 2024 - 1:00pm | Aunna Moss (she/her) & Lenora Sneva (she/her) |
|
| Building DEIB Momentum Amid the War Against DEI | Jun 5, 2024 - 3:00pm | Marianne Ozmun-Wells (she/they) |
|
| Coming Soon! | Jun 6, 2024 - 8:30am |
|
|
| Coming Soon! | Jun 6, 2024 - 10:30am |
|
|
| The Myth of the Model Minority | Jun 6, 2024 - 1:00pm | Jim Mendoza (he/him) |
|
| Immigration as a Barrier to Employment- Raising Every Voice | Jun 6, 2024 - 3:00pm | Teddy Dianah Kemirembe (she/her), Sarah MacLeod (she/her) & Seth Pilkey (he/him) |
|
| Coming Soon! | Jun 11, 2024 - 8:30am |
|
|
| Enhancing Veteran Inclusivity in Washington State Workforce: Disrupting current policies for greater equity and belonging | Jun 11, 2024 - 10:30am | VERG Members |
|
| Disability Inclusion: simple steps you can take today to make your workspaces more inclusive and equitable | Jun 11, 2024 - 1:00pm | Linda Lohdefinck (she/her) & Sarah Norton (she/her) |
|
| Coming Soon! | Jun 11, 2024 - 3:00pm |
|
|
| Supporting Leadership and Utilizing BRGs to Recruit and Retain Latine Employees | Jun 12, 2024 - 8:30am | Hermina Esqueda (she/her/ella), Tony Griego (he/him) & Monica Andrade Hupp (she/her) |
|
| Coming Soon! | Jun 12, 2024 - 10:30am |
|
|
| Coming Soon! | Jun 12, 2024 - 1:00pm |
|
|
| Normalizing Shared Power as a tool to Disrupt Policies, Practices, and Processes (The 3 P's) | Jun 12, 2024 - 3:00pm | Rauniesha Larkins (she/her/diva), Sabrina Njoroge (she/her), Amber Ortiz-Díaz (she/her/ella) & Jean Paul (he/him) |
|
8:30 AM–10 AM Session
Be a Revolution! - Welcome Keynote with Ijeoma Oluo
Presenter(s):
Ijeoma Oluo (she/her)
Author & Speaker
Presenter(s):
Ijeoma Oluo (she/her)
Author & Speaker
Session Description:
Keynote and Q&A with Washington's own New York Times Best Selling author, Ijeoma Oluo. Oluo will share insights from her DEI work and her celebrated books, "So You Want to Talk About Race," "Mediocre: the Dangerous Legacy of White Male Power," and "Be A Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too."
This session is brought to you in partnership with funding from WSECU, and support from the Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) and the statewide Business Resource Group (BRG) book club.
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- How to have conversations about race.
- Ways that people are creating revolutions.
Audience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Ijeoma Oluo (ee-joh-mah oh-loo-oh) is a Seattle-based Writer, Speaker and Internet Yeller.
Her work on social issues such as race and gender has been published in The Guardian, Esquire, Washington Post, ELLE Magazine, New York Times, NBC News and more. She has been featured on The Daily Show, All Things Considered, BBC News, and more. Her #1 NYT bestselling first book, So You Want To Talk About Race, was released January 2018 with Seal Press. Her Second book, MEDIOCRE: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America, was published December 2020 with Seal Press and her upcoming book, Be A Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World - and How You Can Too, will be released January 2024 with Harper One.
Ijeoma was named one of the Most Influential People in Seattle by Seattle Magazine, one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Seattle by Seattle Met, one of The Root's 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2017 & 2018, and is the recipient of the Feminist Humanist Award 2018 by the American Humanist Association, the Harvard Humanist of the year 2020, the Media Justice Award by the Gender Justice League, and the 2018 Aubrey Davis Visionary Leadership Award by the Equal Opportunity Institute.
Ways to watch:
Live stream on June 5, 2024
Recording available for replay July 1 through Ausgust 31
10:30 AM–12 PM Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter(s):
Presenter(s):
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
1 PM-2:30 PM Session
Equity and Belonging – Why am I so emotional?
Presenter(s):
Aunna Moss (she/her) & Lenora Sneva (she/her)
Office of Financial Management (OFM)
Presenter(s):
Aunna Moss (she/her) & Lenora Sneva (she/her)
Office of Financial Management (OFM)
Session Description:
Aunna and Lenora will navigate you through the emotional aspects of change in equity and belonging work. This session will help you identify feelings and acknowledge loss using practical organization change management frameworks including the Kubler Ross Change Curve and the William Bridges Transition Model.
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is using organization change management frameworks to help embed diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into agency culture. We will share how OFM developed and implemented an equity and belonging forum also known as “the Forum.”
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- Understand the normal and natural emotional responses to change.
- Understand why it is important to apply organization change management frameworks to help embed diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into agency culture.
- Learn how to apply scalable organization change management frameworks to equity and belonging work.
- Learn about a real-world example of how OFM is embedding equity and belonging into agency culture.
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Aunna Moss is an Organization Strategy and Performance Lead Consultant for the Washington State Office of Financial Management. In this role, she partners with leaders and employees to support division strategic planning, project management, process improvement, and organizational change management efforts. Aunna also supports agency-wide initiatives including strategic planning and OFM’s Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Plan.
Aunna has worked for the State of Washington since 2013 and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Martin’s University. She is also certified in Lean Six Sigma and Prosci Change Management.
Lenora Sneva leads Office of Financial Management's organization strategy and performance team, collaborates and empowers leaders and staff in pro-equity anti-racism, strategic planning, organization change management and continuous improvement. She has worked for the state of Washington since 2010 and holds a master's degree in public administration and bachelor's in communication from the University of Washington. Her free time is consumed with family, shuffling her teen daughters to competitive volleyball tournaments, exercising and starting a podcast. She has certificates for Diversity Executive (CDE), Prosci Change Management, Lean, DDI Leadership Development, 7 Habits for Highly Effective People, and DISC Behavioral Style. Favorite morning drink: chai tea latte with oat milk
Favorite thing to do: stay grateful
3 PM–4:30 PM Session
Building DEIB Momentum Amid the War Against DEI
Presenter(s):
Marianne Ozmun-Wells (she/they)
Department of Licensing (DOL)
Presenter(s):
Marianne Ozmun-Wells (she/they)
Department of Licensing (DOL)
Session Description:
After George Floyd's 2020 murder, public and private agencies invested in DEIB personnel and programs. Dual pandemics, one - a virus, the other - vitriol, created wider societal divisions. The progress toward open dialogue about prejudice in the USA gave way to "reverse discrimination" claims and legislative bans against historical truth-telling, bodily autonomy, and critical thinking. Simultaneously, hate crimes against Asian Americans rose significantly. Hate-driven violence also increased against LGBTQIA+ people, Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans. Public, private, and academic institutions saw their DEIB programs face layoffs, program cuts, and slashed budgets. Some have taken an "eyes down, don't-focus-on-the-problem" approach to this trend. In a Pro-Equity, Anti-Racist state, we are obligated to acknowledge and speak truth and mobilize against common threats to equity. This session will look at narrative and statistical evidence of “anti-DEIB” efforts combined with data about hate-motivated actions. Through media and case studies, we will explore how anti-DEIB efforts have succeeded, while simultaneously exploring “bright spots,” DEIB models that have shown sustainability and success. We will discuss best practice tools for building DEIB momentum; and share self and community care approaches in this emotionally taxing work.
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- Anti-DEIB efforts are increasing, gaining traction, and becoming institutionalized through both legislation and public opinion.
- Hate motivated attacked on people from historically and currently marginalized groups, continue to increase.
- We must recognize that Washington may not be immune to this trend. We are challenged to be proactive and strategic, advance and imbed DEIB principles and practices, and take care of ourselves and one another.
- There are programs that have survived and thrived amid the opposition. What can we learn from them.
- We are the best experts on what constitutes self care and community care as we continue to engage in emotionally laborious work.
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Marianne K. Ozmun-Wells is the Equity and Inclusion Administrator for the Washington State Department of Licensing. She has worked for Washington state for 22 years in DEI and Communications roles. Marianne is a lifelong learner who continually aspires to be a better anti-racism activator, cultural connector, and historical truth-teller. She lives in Olympia with her wife of 30 years. The new empty-nesters frequent the Palouse region to visit their 19-year-old daughter, a wildlife ecology major, at WSU. Go Cougs!
8:30 AM–10 AM Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter(s):
Presenter(s):
10:30 AM–12 PM Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter(s):
Presenter(s):
1 PM-2:30 PM Session
The Myth of the Model Minority
Presenter(s):
Jim Mendoza (he/him)
Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowerment Network BRG (HAPPEN)
Presenter(s):
Jim Mendoza (he/him)
Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowerment Network BRG (HAPPEN)
Session Description:
Stereotypes about Asian Americans are often held up as proof that racial labels can be flattering, but they subtly produce a number of problems in schools and workplaces.
This presentation will define the term "model minority", illustrate through video and personal experience the impact of micro and macro-aggressions caused, and offer solutions via open forum.
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
Attendees will learn about the "model minority" myth as well as be given the opportunity to share their personal experiences.
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Jim Mendoza, the son of Nicasio Damasco Mendoza (d) and Victoria Albrecht-Reyes, and is honored to serve as one of the inaugural co-chairs for the HAPPEN BRG.
Jim has been employed with the Department of Retirement Systems since 2004. He started as a Retirement Services Analyst specializing in issues dealing with death & disability. In 2006, he joined the Education & Outreach Team where he provides retirement plan, financial wellness, and investment education at a variety of settings – sometimes he even busts out into song.
Married for more than 35 years to his lovely wife, Laura, Jim is an advocate in the fight against breast cancer and served as fund raising chairman for the 2017 Race for the Cure. Jim’s interest in the fight against breast cancer is a byproduct of Laura being a 15 year survivor. In 2017, Jim was named Volunteer of the Year by Komen Puget Sound for his tireless advocacy efforts in the fight against breast cancer.
Jim’s community service includes having been a Little League Baseball umpire for 25 years, culminating in his selection to work the Junior League World Series in 2001. Jim is also a proud Freemason, having served as Grand Master (statewide president) in Washington in 2016-2017. During that time, he was able to use that platform to amplify his advocacy in the fight against breast cancer as well as raise funds to send 25 of our heroes on Honor Flights.
3 PM–4:30 PM Session
Immigration as a Barrier to Employment- Raising Every Voice
Presenter(s):
Teddy Dianah Kemirembe (she/her), Sarah MacLeod (she/her) & Seth Pilkey (he/him)
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Presenter(s):
Teddy Dianah Kemirembe (she/her), Sarah MacLeod (she/her) & Seth Pilkey (he/him)
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Session Description:
We face many challenges in hiring and recruiting. We have exceptional candidates to choose from, however immigration is a barrier. Collectively we can and must take action to truly become an Employer of Choice including for those with immigration status. The recruitment process is prone to bias and fallacy, as well as racial and gender biases. This session will discuss what practices are needed to remove or reduce immigration as a barrier to employment. We will review the ways organizations can hear directly the voice of every team member and how to raise that voice. We will discuss the development of recruitment materials, the process of holistic review of immigration H.R. policy, and how to structure a raise every voice tour that increases Shared Power. With the goal of mitigating bias and comparing candidates as equitably as possible.
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the complexity and cost of immigration as it relates to recruiting and the employee expierence.
- Workforce & Service Interuptions
- Types of Visas & Work Permit
- Intersectionality of Immigration (lived experiences)
- Tools & Strategies for barrier reduction
- Hearing & raising the voice of all staff
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Teddy Dianah Kemirembe (she/her)
Born and raised in Uganda, Teddy comes from a walk of humble beginning. Teddy’s story is long but in short here is the version:
Teddy has a master's in social work (MSW) from Columbia University School of Social Work with a passion in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hence has attained Certificate of Diversity Profession (CDP)
Teddy has over twenty years in Social Work, working primarily with children and families and has tremendous experience in child welfare, working with children affected by developmental disabilities, and over 7 years working in emergency room as social worker assisting patients with mental health and homelessness.
Sarah MacLeod (she/her)
My name is Sarah MacLeod, I work for the Department of Social and Health Services - Developmental Disabilities Administration in the beautiful State of Washington. My passion is for supporting job seekers with opportunities with the DSHS is not only important for job seekers but also the clients that DDA serves every day. I look forward to continuing our mission of the DSHS by Transforming Lives to recruit top talent to state service through outreach and educational activities. My goal is to retain employees by providing them with support structure, education, and career progression assistance.
Seth Pilkey (he/him)
Over the last 15 years Seth has worked at the intersections of advocacy, relationship building, and social impact. Seth has worked with non-profit & government leaders and supported coached and mentored amazing individuals to live their fullest lives with an abundance of choice. He enjoys helping others navigate personal and organizational change, from line staff to leadership, initially as a Staff Development Partner at a large care and training facility. Seth currently serves our Developmental Disabilities Administration as a Management Analyst to executive leadership in the areas of hiring, retention and workforce development.
8:30 AM–10 AM Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter(s):
Presenter(s):
10:30 AM–12 PM Session
Enhancing Veteran Inclusivity in Washington State Workforce: Disrupting current policies for greater equity and belonging
Presenter(s):
VERG Members
Veterans Employee Resource Group BRG (VERG)
Presenter(s):
VERG Members
Veterans Employee Resource Group BRG (VERG)
Session Description:
This presentation aims to highlight the current state of veteran’s preference policies in Washington, and the underutilization of veterans’ special appointments. The presentation will also address the issue of veterans’ service time not accruing leave/sick time benefits, diminishing benefits for veterans and the very definition of ‘Veteran’ for the purposes of awarding benefits and legal recognition. The need for waivers for education in job postings, military service/training to be equivalent to college degree/courses for position qualifications, and how the lack of veteran’s preference policy affects veteran employment. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the legal framework and challenges, and the Veterans In-State Shared Leave Policy (VISSLP).
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- The need for a mandate on how to apply or include veterans’ preference in hiring and promotions.
- The need for OFM waivers for education to be equivalent to college degree/courses.
- The need to address the issue of veterans’ service time not accruing leave/sick time benefits, diminishing benefits for veterans.
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
1 PM-2:30 PM Session
Disability Inclusion: simple steps you can take today to make your workspaces more inclusive and equitable
Presenter(s):
Linda Lohdefinck (she/her) & Sarah Norton (she/her)
Disability Inclusion Network BRG (DIN)
Presenter(s):
Linda Lohdefinck (she/her) & Sarah Norton (she/her)
Disability Inclusion Network BRG (DIN)
Session Description:
Understanding what access, accessibility, and usability are is just the first step in creating an inclusive, equitable, and just workplace where all employees have a sense of belonging. Join members of the WA State Disability Inclusion Network Business Resource Group as we not only provide a background on these key terms, but give you will the knowledge and power to leave this session with practical steps you can take to improve access, accessibility, and usability for people with disabilities in your workspaces. Whether you are a director, administrator, supervisor, or you are leading change from within, this is the place to be to learn how to make all employees belong in our workspaces.
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- Understand the difference between access, accessibility, and usability;
- Become aware of how to look for and identify areas of limited accessibility or usability in the workplace;
- Create an action plan to make changes in your workplaces
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Linda Lohdefinck (she/her)
Linda is the current Chair for the Disability Inclusion Network Business Resource Group and works as a Health Services Consultant with the Washington State Department of Health as the PRAMS Coordinator in Data Collection & Reporting. She is the Director of Golden Ears Hearing Dog Training non-profit program. Linda is profoundly Deaf and lives with her hearing dogs, Lyra, Breeze (ret.) and Lady Jane (in-training). She has a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations/Counseling, a degree in Computer Science and has been a Licensed Practical Nurse since 1977. She has worked for the State of Washington for over 36 years. Linda is an advocate in promoting disability rights and accommodations. In her spare time, she competes with her dogs, gardens, sews beautiful quilts, enjoys reading and is active in her church.
Sarah Norton (she/her)
Sarah Norton (she/her/hers) is the past Chair of the WA State Disability Inclusion Network Business Resource Group, and is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist at the Department of Licensing. Hailing from Maine and moving to Washington in 2006, Sarah has a bachelor’s in psychology and a Master’s of Library and Information Science. Sarah is a passionate advocate for disability justice and for ending the oppression of all people. In her spare time she loves to read, go on adventures around the country, and spending time with her multitude of nieces and nephews. Sarah lives with her partner of 17 yrs and her two goldfish Lloyd and Bowie.
3 PM–4:30 PM Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter(s):
Presenter(s):
8:30 AM–10 AM Session
Supporting Leadership and Utilizing BRGs to Recruit and Retain Latine Employees
Presenter(s):
Hermina Esqueda (she/her/ella), Tony Griego (he/him) & Monica Andrade Hupp (she/her)
Latino Leadership Network BRG (LLN)
Presenter(s):
Hermina Esqueda (she/her/ella), Tony Griego (he/him) & Monica Andrade Hupp (she/her)
Latino Leadership Network BRG (LLN)
Session Description:
Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. Governor Inslee’s Executive Order 21-01 affirmed the value and contributions BRGs have to developing and maintain a high-performing public workforce that reflects and represents Washingtonians. Additionally, BRGs and their members bring knowledge and experience to help inform policy, practice, and business as agencies pursue pro-equity anti-racism work. BRG leaders and members are passionate about public service!
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- How to engage with BRGs in a mutually beneficial way.
- How BRGs and their members can help inform and improve agency services.
- How agencies can better recruit, retain, and support employees from marginalized communities.
- Why allies and allyship are critical to the success and sustainability of BRGs.
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Hermina Esqueda (she/her/ella)
Herminia Esqueda is a Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism Strategic Initiatives Administrator for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). She is a Certified Diversity Executive and Certified Public Manager. She leads the Latino Leadership Network’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Herminia is passionate about removing barriers, providing access and creating spaces of belonging, for all communities to thrive.
Anthony (Tony) Griego (he/him)
Tony Griego is the Chief Equity and Access Officer at the Office of Administrative Hearings and a board member of the Latino Leadership Network. He has 15 years of experience in public service leading strategic planning, project initiatives, and DEI efforts. Tony is an active leader and advocate for Washington State’s business resource groups (BRGs). He’s been part of the Washington State Latino Leadership Network since 2018, contributing to build a more inclusive and welcoming community for Latine state employees. Outside of work, Tony loves to spend time in the outdoors hiking, backpacking, and riding horses. He’s currently learning how to be a “Rodeo Dad” supporting his son’s dreams to become a Black cowboy.
Monica Andrade Hupp (she/her)
Monica Andrade-Hupp is a Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Innovation Project Manager in the Center for Innovative Solutions & Program Excellence (CISPE) with a history of managing large hospital projects and events in healthcare and community settings. She is a graduate from California State University of Fullerton with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and is a current graduate student at the University of Washington. She is passionate about project management and the profound social impact projects can have on communities, policies, and systemic change. An advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Monica hopes to inspire others to do the same, beginning within her own family and in her work as the Latino Leadership Network’s Co-Chair.
10:30 AM–12 PM Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter(s):
Presenter(s):
1 PM-2:30 PM Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter(s):
Presenter(s):
3 PM–4:30 PM Session
Normalizing Shared Power as a tool to Disrupt Policies, Practices, and Processes (The 3 P's)
Presenter(s):
Rauniesha Larkins (she/her/diva), Sabrina Njoroge (she/her), Amber Ortiz-Díaz (she/her/ella) & Jean Paul (he/him)
Office of Equity (EQUITY)
Presenter(s):
Rauniesha Larkins (she/her/diva), Sabrina Njoroge (she/her), Amber Ortiz-Díaz (she/her/ella) & Jean Paul (he/him)
Office of Equity (EQUITY)
Session Description:
The Shared Power Consultants from the Office of Equity will be conducting a workshop that will introduce Relational Partnership (RP) and its significance to government employees and community. For the Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (P.E.A.R.) framework to thrive, Relational Partnership must be at its foundation. The consultants will go over the definition & importance of Relational Partnership, our partnership with the Centre for Public Impact, and review the RP Toolkit resources that will further PEAR outcomes throughout the state of Washington.
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- Disrupting the current “status quo” of processes and policies within state government
- Shared Power principles
- Relational Partnership in Practice
- Building a Community of Practice (CoP)
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Learn about the presenter(s):
Rauniesha Larkins (she/her/diva)
Rauneisha (pronounced Ron-Nee-sha) is a charismatic leader who tends to win people over with her warm and infectious smile. She is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio but relocated to Washington when she was stationed here as a service member. Rauneisha is now a proud veteran who enjoys traveling, being a newlywed, and being a dog mom!
Sabrina Njoroge (she/her)
Sabrina (pronounced Suh-Bree-Nuh Ja-Row-Geh) is a passionate social justice advocate and steadfast champion of equity. Sabrina embraces the role of being a single mom, nurturing her energetic, neurodivergent 3-year-old while inspiring them with her dedication to making the world a better place. Her love for connecting with people is evident in her warm interactions, where she finds joy in building bridges and fostering meaningful relationships. When she’s not busy advocating or parenting, you can find Sabrina immersed in the world of music, enjoying soulful tunes, and even sharing her own melodious voice through singing.
Amber Ortiz-Díaz (she/her/ella)
I'm thrilled to be part of the Office of Equity as a Shared Power Consultant. I'm passionate about fostering genuine connections within teams. I believe in the power of collaboration and open communication to achieve shared goals. In my previous roles, I've seen firsthand how understanding and appreciating the unique qualities of each team member contribute to a positive working environment. Every opportunity I carry my ancestors and community with me. Personally, I am a first-generation professional, proud of my Mexican culture, a wife, and mother of two amazing boys. I love to support small businesses, traveling, and spending time with my family.
Jean Paul (he/him)
Jean Paul is a committed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) professional whose background includes introducing marginalized youth to STEM careers, helping at-risk fathers with child custody, and achieving economic freedom and now being a part of the Washington State Office of Equity. Born on the beautiful island of Haiti, Jean relocated to the U.S. as a teenager. He is now a proud husband, father of two, community leader, and doggy dad. In his spare time, you can find Jean playing with his children, tending to his garden, bird watching, and taking long walks with his dog Onyx
Questions about the conference?
State DEI training
- State Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training (des.wa.gov)
- View the documentary, Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
- Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America - Viewer Guide
Thank you to our sponsors:
Executive branch cabinet members and other state HR contributing agencies
Statewide DEI Council
Thank you to our Core Team member agencies:
Past DEI conferences
