A local nonprofit invites businesses to join in a diversity, equity and inclusion study
From bold and engaging events like the NW Equity Summit to placemaking events geared towards ensuring Portland’s professionals of color feel welcome, there is good reason to view Partners in Diversity as one of Portland’s top resources for advancing equity through the workforce.
Partners in Diversity (PiD) has recently welcomed new staff members who have brought invaluable energy and fresh perspective to an ever-changing sector.
Take a moment to meet Jenny Kim, Partners in Diversity’s new executive director, and learn how her background in science and sales ultimately primed her for the position as the non-profit’s leader. Also, meet Catherine Van, PiD’s recently appointed director of communications, and learn what excites her most about joining the small but mighty team.
Lastly, get insight into their new research project, DEI IMPACTS, held in collaboration with Portland State University, and learn how your company can advance equity work by joining the research pool.
Collaborating with businesses in Oregon and southwest Washington allows Partners in Diversity to engage directly with employers, understand their unique challenges and tailor its support to drive meaningful change for the organizations and their employees. The vibrant and diverse business landscape in this region presents a rich tapestry of perspectives, and Kim is excited about the prospect of collectively building more inclusive workplaces that reflect the diversity of our community to drive innovation and bring economic advantage.
“Joining Partners in Diversity has been an incredible journey so far. I continue to be awed by the genuine commitment and passion that permeates every aspect of this organization and our partner organizations in the region,” Kim shared. “The dedication to helping employers hire, retain, and support professionals of color is not just a mission statement; it's something the team actively embodies as we support each other to create an inclusive organizational culture for all our professional growth.”
Meet Jenny Kim, Partners in Diversity’s new executive director, and learn how her background in science and sales ultimately primed her for the position as the non-profit’s leader. (Courtesy: Partners in Diversity)
Kim has a long career leading sales and marketing teams in the corporate tech sector, as executive director of a national nonprofit, and as a leader of several government boards and commissions. Most recently, she has served as the co-chair of the Governor’s Racial Justice Council on Housing, Homelessness and Human Services and as a commissioner for Home Forward for Multnomah County. She studied microbiology and molecular genetics at UCLA and helped publish a paper in a prestigious scientific journal. In her spare time, she loves to travel, eat and mentor college students and recent graduates.
Kim, Van and the Partners in Diversity team are creating meaningful impact through many projects, most notably their recently launched DEI IMPACTS Research Project. PiD is excited to partner with Portland State University (PSU) on this research project to better understand the effectiveness of DEI practices within organizations across the region. Participating organizations will receive valuable, free insights into their DEI policies, discovering tangible benefits and benchmarking against other regional entities. The perks include a comprehensive report summarizing key DEI policy indicators, access to a full regional report for comparative analysis, and a visible commitment to outcomes-driven DEI policies, signaling dedication to understanding the impacts of implemented practices. This research approach involves a holistic methodology, ensuring a thorough examination of DEI practices and their impact on both leadership and employees.
What does that look like for businesses looking to get involved?
“We are actively seeking a diverse range of businesses to participate in our research pool,” said Van. “Our aim is to include both public and private facing organizations of various sizes, industries and structures to ensure a comprehensive understanding of DEI practices across different sectors.”
Organizational involvement in the research pool is a collaborative process. Interested businesses will have the opportunity to contribute by participating in at least one interview, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. These interviews will involve leaders within the organization, such as HR managers, DEI specialists, or executives with knowledge of the organization's DEI policies and practices.
Additionally, participating organizations will be invited to conduct an organization-wide, anonymous employee survey. This survey, divided into two parts and taking approximately 10 to 15 minutes each, ensures a holistic perspective by gathering insights from employees at various levels.
Company involvement in Partners in Diversity’s research pool is an opportunity for organizations to contribute to a meaningful examination of DEI practices while gaining valuable insights to enhance their own policies.
The incentive for joining the DEI Impacts research project is multidimensional. Organizations will gain:
Valuable Insights
Participating organizations will gain access to a free report that summarizes key indicators of DEI policy success and provides tangible tools to help advance those initiatives.
Benchmarking Opportunity
Organizations receive access to the full regional report, allowing them to compare their DEI outcomes with other organizations in the area. This benchmarking opportunity helps in understanding common challenges and solutions.
Commitment Signal
Participating in the research project demonstrates a clear commitment to outcomes-driven DEI policy. This commitment is reinforced by partnering with independent researchers, sending a strong signal to employees that their feedback is valued, and the organization is dedicated to understanding the impacts of its policies.
Contributing to Best Practices
Organizations contribute to a broader understanding of best practices in DEI initiatives in the region, playing a role in advancing the collective knowledge of effective policies and practices.
As for restrictions, it's important to note, the name of participating organizations will not be disclosed when sharing the research report with a wider audience. This ensures confidentiality and encourages open participation.
Organizations interested in participating should complete the intake form. The last opportunity to participate is February 2024. For further information or to express interest, organizations can reach out to hello@partnersindiversity.org.
Catherine Van joined Partners in Diversity as the director of communications in October 2023. She is a marketing and communications professional as well as an Emmy-nominated journalist with more than 10 years of experience. Prior to joining the team, Catherine championed DEI initiatives for the long-term care sector at the Oregon Health Care Association and covered national and local news stories as a television news reporter in Nevada and Oregon. She currently serves as the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion on the American Marketing Association Portland Chapter Board of Directors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast electronic media studies and advertising from Gonzaga University. Outside of work, she is usually immersed in a DIY project or hunting for the next great waterfall.
Van was drawn to Partners in Diversity because of its focus on empowering employees of color and advancing equity in the workforce. As someone who has worked in spaces where she was one of the few or the sole person of color, she understands the unique challenges that professionals of color often face.
“Throughout my career in communications and journalism, I’ve always advocated for historically marginalized communities, whether that’s providing accessible resources or a platform to share their stories,” Van said. “My experience working in newsrooms and nonprofit organizations brings a unique perspective to the organization. I understand the impact of strong storytelling and marketing to diverse audiences, using research, creativity, and critical thinking. My experiences along with my passion for equity work have equipped me with valuable insights and skills to contribute effectively to Partners in Diversity's efforts. I'm excited to leverage this background to drive meaningful impact and promote equity in the workplace.”
About Partners in Diversity:
Partners in Diversity® (PiD) collaborates with employers across Oregon and southwest Washington to build a workforce reflective of the evolving demographics of the Pacific Northwest creating innovation and adding to regional economic prosperity. As a membership-based nonprofit organization, PiD offers educational programs, research, and resources to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to foster positive organizational cultures. Its initiatives extend to supporting professionals of color, facilitating networking events, like Say Hey!®, and engaging relocated professionals in civic opportunities. PiD also conducts ongoing scientific research in partnership with academic institutions to inform effective workforce diversification. PiD membership includes private and public sectors of all sizes, from large corporations to small nonprofits.
Partners in Diversity’s mission is to create economic prosperity for our region by working to attract, retain, and develop professionals of color and diversity influencers. Established in 2005, Partners in Diversity operates as an affiliate of the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute, a 501(c) (3) organization.