THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE MAKING UTAH MORE INCLUSIVE.
| Author | Bicknell, Lindsay |
| Position | Cover story |
Utah Business is proud to partner with Living Color Utah for our second annual Living Color Gala honoring those individuals and organizations who have made it their mission to foster diversity and inclusion in the state of Utah. Voted on by Utah Business and the six diverse chambers of commerce, here are this year's honorees.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SERVICES, REFUGEE SERVICES OFFICE
jobs.utah.gov/refugee @utrefugeeserve
HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED IN CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF UTAH'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY?
"[We educate] businesses on who refugees are and dispel some of the myths of refugees [to connect] refugees with businesses for their hiring needs. [We also encourage and motivate] companies to re-look at their company and find tangible ways to improve their workplace to be a more diverse and inclusive environment [providing] tangible solutions that will be win-win for refugees and for the business themselves." --Agnes Lomu-Penitani, Workforce Development Specialist
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN TERMS OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION EFFORTS IN UTAH?
"I would like more tangible things that companies can do to help people of color advance. Talk is cheap. Be Doers. We want to see more action and people of color included in the conversations."--Agnes Lomu-Penitani, Workforce Development Specialist
ONE REFUGEE
onerefugee.org
linkedin.com/company/one-refugee/
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
"We continually watch One Refugee students fight through unique barriers of family responsibility, past-trauma, financial stipulations, and limited networks to become some of the most well-connected and grit-filled professionals to enter the workforce."--Kirsi Jarvis, Careers Manager
WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT AMONG OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN UTAH?
"We are the only organization in Utah solely dedicated to supporting the educational and professional needs of young adult refugees."--Kirsi Jarvis, Careers Manager
SARAH VAUGHN
FOUNDER & CEO I MELANIN SQUAD linkedin.com/in/sarah-vaughn-3a46511a6/
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
"I am inspired by the women of color that attend my events or engage with me on social media. Every day they decide to show up for themselves, those in the community, and for their families despite the challenges they face as women of color living in Utah."
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
"The opportunity to see every women of color at my events feel welcomed, seen, and understood. I know how important and needed it is to be in a room full of women that look like you."
RICK TOLMAN
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | UTAH POLYNESIAN PROFESSIONALS VP OF MARKETING | PLURALSIGHT
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN TERMS OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION EFFORTS IN UTAH?
"Take meaningful action with the new allies and commitments being made. Companies evolve to hiring for 'culture adds' over 'culture fits.' Less statements, more representation, #HireAndWire."
HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED IN CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF UTAH'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN REGARD TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?
"[I am] the cofounder of the Asia-Pacific Career Conference, cofounder of the Utah Polynesian Professionals, [and] founder of [the] Legacy development program focused on bridging the technology skills gap for Black, indigenous, and people of color with mentorship and internship opportunities with Silicon Slopes companies and community groups."
ZEYNEP KARIPARDUC
DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH & EVENT SERVICES | EMERALD HILLS INSTITUTE
emeraldhillsinstitute.org linkedin.com/in/zeynep-kariparduc-58b56050 @EmeraldHillslns
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
"I am inspired by Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Muslim scholar, thinker, author, poet, opinion leader, educational activist, and a global social movement leader. He supports interfaith dialogue, science, democracy, and spirituality."
WHAT MAKES YOUR ORGANIZATION STAND OUT?
"The backbone of Emerald Hills Institute is diverse families. EHI is run by people, who in other situations, would be the underserved and underrepresented; coming from a similar background to the diverse community...
To continue reading
Request your trialCOPYRIGHT GALE, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
