Diversity & Inclusion Committee Update
Join the fun with our Diversity and Inclusion Committee at Impact Advisors!
Diversity & Inclusion Committee Update
Latest Updates & Initiatives from the Diversity & Inclusion Committee
At Impact Advisors, we are all about embracing diversity, celebrating uniqueness, and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Be a part of the movement, and let’s make a positive impact together!
Here’s what’s happening in the world of D&I:
| Month | Communications & Activities |
|---|---|
| February | Papia Roy contributed an article about Saraswati Puja. |
| March | Amy Reid highlighted International Women’s Day with a feature article. |
| April | Chris Wilson and Liz Sopel discussed their experiences and highlighted ways to get involved during National Volunteer Month. |
| May | World Day for Cultural Diversity |
| June | Celebrating Juneteenth |
| July | Celebrating International Non-Binary People's Day |
| July | Hosting Let’s Get Cookin’ Event |
| July | Implementing new D&I Orientation and Training program designed to educate and empower our Winners on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. |
| August | Celebrating International Day of World’s Indigenous People |
| September | Celebrating International Day of Peace |
| October | Celebrating World Mental Health Day |
| October | Hosting Let’s Get Cookin’ Event |
| November | Celebrating our Veterans |
| December | Celebrating International Human Rights Day |
Other Happenings
- We completed the D&I application process and welcomed new committee members (meet them below) to further enhance our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within Impact Advisors.
- Our team members participated in several volunteering opportunities, making a positive impact in our local communities.
- We’re excited to launch a series of lunch-and-learn sessions, covering topics such as unconscious bias, cultural competence, and allyship.
- We are developing a fresh, creative logo that captures the essence of diversity and inclusion at Impact Advisors.
- Keep an eye out for a segment in our monthly newsletter and Town Hall calls related to diversity and inclusion topics.
Introducing Our D&I Committee Members:
“Diversity and inclusion is about creating an environment at Impact Advisors where Winners from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives are valued, respected, and supported so they can contribute their unique skills and experiences to achieve common goals.”
Charmydevine Beane
“I have always believed that diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making. Ensuring that every perspective is considered, and every person is offered equal opportunities is essential for building stronger communities. For me, this stems from a deeply rooted commitment to fairness, equality, and creating positive change.”
Amy Reid
“Diversity is a vibrant symphony composed of countless instruments. Each culture, background, and experience add a unique melody, enriching the overall sound.”
Merallie Vargas
“D&I is important to promoting empathy; empathy is the foundation of making a positive impact.”
Mike Costa
“Diversity & Inclusion is important to me because fostering a workplace culture where everyone feels welcome, supported, and understood is the kind of place I want to be. As I expect many other Winners and future Winners do!”
Colleen Toole
“I believe strongly in the strength of community; it allows us to connect, engage, and grow together. D&I aims to make everyone feel comfortable, supported, and heard which fosters unity and builds our connections with each other.”
Liz Sopel
“Diversity and inclusion to me means broadening the types of voices & perspectives in our conversations and gaining a better understanding of our different backgrounds. It celebrates our differences as strengths and helps us bring more ideas to the table.”
Yvonne Cheng
“An openness and willingness to understand other points of view, skills and talents regardless of background, be it race, ethnicity, religion or non-religion, political affiliation, and sexual orientation, it’s about being an advocate for the underrepresented so that everyone is comfortable bringing their best self to the table which, in turn, brings the best talent and solutions to our clients.”
Lisa Jansen King
“For me, Diversity and Inclusion means respecting and embracing each other’s differences. I love to see the excitement when our Winners share their cultures and traditions.”
Renee Kalej
“I truly believe that our differences add value. Our unique strengths help us to evolve and promote optimum delivery of our services when we engage diversity and inclusion.”
Karen Green
Other D&I Committee Members: Pete Smith, Andy Smith, Mike Cowan, and Diana Alberts
How You Can Get Involved!
Share your ideas, feedback, and suggestions.
Volunteer for upcoming events, workshops, and initiatives.
Share your stories and experiences related to diversity and inclusion in our organization.
Participate in upcoming D&I sponsored events.
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As you might remember, we offered a virtual option for positively impacting the Chicago community with a donation drive for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. To date we’ve raised the funds for 345 meals! Thank you, Winners!!
If you missed the opportunity, our page is still open for donations:
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Nicolette Thompson is super passionate about volunteering. Along with sitting on multiple boards (Ukrainian-American Civic Center and Ukrainian Congress Committee of America). Nicolette spends two days a week as a Ski Patroller in Ellicottville, NY. She taught us that most EMTs on skis are volunteers (nearly all of them, nationwide)! The National Ski Patrol is the largest provider of outdoor education in the world!
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Stephanie Franklin spends her time giving back to children’s hospitals. She sews pillowcases for the organization Cases for Smiles. They provide pillowcases for the kids in hospitals and provide a little extra comfort during their time of need. Stephanie donated 75 pillowcases just last week!
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Larry Scheurich is a big volunteer in his community including coaching soccer teams, participating in charity walks, and very interestingly, donating his time and materials to charity auctions. Larry does a lot of woodworking and recently made a pair of wine barrel tables used in an auction to benefit the Boys & Girls Club. He fetched over $1,000 for these pieces that went to benefit the group. Shows you how you can use your passions and talents to help others!
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Maggie Myers has a passion for working with veterans. Her husband was a medic in Vietnam, so she was inspired to join the VFW Auxiliary in 2008, through their work they service thousands of veterans and their families every year. She was even the president of the Virginia chapter through the trying years of the pandemic. She is privileged to serve those who sacrifice so much for us!
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This here cute pile of furry love is all of Tiffany Flowers’s “foster fails”. Tiffany opens her home to foster local rescue dogs to help them transition to home life before moving onto their forever homes. Unsurprisingly, Tiffany’s family fell in love with a few and decided to make them a permanent part of their life with a fur-ever adoption. Tiffany still supports and fosters other dogs on a regular basis through her local rescue, Twyla’s Friends.
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Mike Costa, long time Winner and member of the D&I Committee gives back to his community by coaching his 10 year old son’s soccer team. His coaching efforts not only won them the Florida Commissioners Cup but gave a whole team of kids an experience they’ll never forget!
Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved!
#DiversityAndInclusion
#InclusiveCulture
#JoinTheMovement”