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14 Worcester Business Journal | September 16, 2024 | wbjournal.com Seven Hills Foundation has embraced Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) as the WHY of what we do: Provide equitable access to the highest quality services for the most vulnerable members of our communities. Our exceptional staff Answer the Call to Care using their unique experience, knowledge, and talent informed by their diverse backgrounds. Our programs enrich our communities: In developing nations and home communities of our staff, the humanitarian efforts of affiliate Seven Hills Global Outreach (SHGO) address the critical need for basic securities. Human Services Career Support (HSCS) provides BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and other under-served populations, with training, supports, and on-the-job experience to launch careers in the human services field. Seven Hills ASPiRE! trains people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and brain injury to pursue employment tailored to their skills and interests. DEIB in our communities begins with Seven Hills' values of Respect & Kindness, integrity, Teamwork, Innovation, and Service to Others. It is intrinsic to our belief that DEIB offers refreshing perspectives that positively transform the lives of us all. Refresing Perspectives, Transforming Lives 81 Hope Ave., Worcester, MA 016 03 • 508.755.2340 • sevenhills.org F O C U S D I V E R S I T Y & I N C LU S I O N DEI vacancy No Worcester chief diversity officer has held the position for more than 2 years and 2 months, and the position has been vacant since spring 2022. Name Start Date End Date Malika Carter Feb. 8, 2016 July 14, 2017 Suja Chacko March 26, 2018 May 15, 2020 Stephanie Williams Nov. 30, 2020 April 1, 2022 Source: City of Worcester person than an entire department," she said. Achieving high-minded goals e City's new chief equity officer will focus on key initiatives including diversifying the city government workforce, evaluating and addressing pay equitability among staff, and ensuring the efficacy of the department's investigations processes, said Nguyen. For a role fulfilling such heavy-lis, the City's hiring committee should select a candidate for the role who has a data-driven approach to equity, said Vaccaro. "Data tells a story, and I think we can always say that we are an inclusive Continued from previous page workplace, we're working on equity. But then when we look at the data, is the data really demonstrating those statements?" she said. "I would love to see how they create a plan, build trust, and then periodically share results that are not just statements but results that come accompanied with some data, so that we can celebrate small improvements; and small improvements over time create really great change." Expecting a big plan right out the gate is not realistic, Pepple said. For change to be sustainable, it must be slow and steady, and the new chief equity officer is going to be learning on the job. "It's like you're building and flying a plane at the same time," Pepple said. W Graduate Programs clarku.edu/graduate The Clark MBA | Finance | Fintech Accounting | Analytics and Big Data Computer Science | Project Management Communications | Sustainable Development Public Administration Generous Scholarships for Central Massachusetts Students Local, Flexible, Career-Focused