PVA has established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, who will support and act on behalf of all staff within the organization. The committee will be a critical driver in the encouragement of real organizational change, and the establishment of a diverse and welcoming community, focused on inclusivity and equity for all.

DEIC is charged with researching, developing, and proposing mechanisms that will establish and maintain a supportive, positive, and inclusive work environment for all staff at PVA.

Our Mission

The DEIC will help foster a community within PVA where individuals are empowered to embrace, value, and promote cultures and inclusivity by providing sustainable resources and guidance.

Our Goals

1.  Create opportunities for employees to have meaningful engagement with other staff, including PVA leadership, to promote cultural inclusivity and discuss issues relating to equity in the workplace.
2.  Create voluntary internal organizational learning opportunities in which staff may engage in and develop personal understanding of DEI at individual and organizational levels.
3. Formulate recommendations for the development of new policies and practice initiatives to support DEI efforts or modification of policies and practices that may be negatively impacting diversity, inclusivity, and equity efforts.
4. Provide thoughts and feedback to PVA leadership on issues of culture, climate, equity, inclusion, and diversity in the workplace, including recommendations and support regarding short- and long-term strategies to meet the organization’s current and future workforce needs.
5. Coordinate the overall DEI program and act as ambassadors across the organization.

Our Core Responsibilities

1. Coordinate the overall DEI program and act as ambassadors across the organization.
2.  Create opportunities for employees to have meaningful engagement with other staff, including PVA leadership, to promote cultural inclusivity and discuss issues relating to equity in the workplace.
3. Provide thoughts and feedback to PVA leadership on issues of culture, climate, equity, inclusion, and diversity in the workplace, including recommendations and support regarding short- and long-term strategies to meet the organization’s current and future workforce needs.
4. Formulate recommendations for the development of new policies and practice initiatives to support DEI efforts or modification of policies and practices that may be negatively impacting diversity, inclusivity, and equity efforts.
5. Create voluntary internal organizational learning opportunities in which staff may engage in and develop personal understanding of DEI at individual and organizational levels.

The DEIC includes 8 - 10 PVA staff members from different departments, programs, locations and backgrounds.

Current Active Members:

• Wayne Broadfield
  Associate Director of Architecture
  National Office, Washington DC
• Pete Demarkis 
  Senior National Service Officer
  Boston, MA 
• Jonathan Franklin
  Graphic Designer
  National Office, Washington DC
• Genia Hachenberg 
  Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Officer
  Atlanta, GA 
• Tania Haskins
  Senior Secretary
  Orlando, FL 
• Samantha Keirsey 
  Director of Human Resources, Chair 
  National Office, Washington DC
• Rodney Lee 
  Employment Analyst
  Atlanta, GA 
• Dionne Mitchell
  Director of Direct Mail Fundraising 
  National Office, Washington DC
• Fabio Villaroel 
  Director of Sports and Recreation
  National Office, Washington DC

Feedback

If you have any questions or comments for the DEIC, please email us at DEIC@pva.org.

We take all feedback seriously and will work to make changes to achieve the goals of the DEIC and all PVA staff.