Power Players in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Donna Lieberman has been the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union since December 2001. She also founded the NYCLU’s Reproductive Rights Project. During her tenure, the NYCLU has grown to over 160,000 members, with eight offices around the state, and become the state’s leading voice for freedom, justice and equality, especially for those whose rights are most at risk: people of color, young people, and low-income New Yorkers.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
DEI means people of all walks bringing their whole selves into our work and workplace, seeing themselves in what we accomplish and how we function. It’s about who we are and how we work as much as what we achieve. It’s about experience alongside expertise. We learn from failures. Conflicts are inevitable; learning the courage and tools to resolve them is essential. DEI is a dynamic process we must foster every day.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
I was deeply affected by the civil rights movement, particularly the heroic struggles of young people who risked everything in nonviolent resistance – at lunch counters, schoolhouses, buses. Higginbotham’s “In the Matter of Color” helped me better understand the roots and machinery of slavery. Fighting for equality has been a big part of my life’s work, but at the NYCLU, confronting systemic racism and implicit bias has taught me I still have much to learn.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
DEI is mission critical. The fight for civil rights and liberties is made up of so many interconnected struggles. If we don’t have an array of perspectives and lived-experiences developing, directing, and driving strategies, we fall short or fail. Understanding and respect across differences is essential to a strong, broad movement that can restore and strengthen democracy and build a fairer and more equitable society.

Nada M. Llewellyn is the leader of Kramer Levin’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. In this role, Nada collaborates with senior firm and practice leaders to develop and implement strategies that uphold the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Nada works with various committees and affinity groups to create inclusive workplace policies and culture, fostering the hiring, mentoring, advancement, retention and engagement of diverse lawyers and staff.

Eric McLendon established one of the only Black-owned and managed national title insurance firms in the country. As founder and CEO of Clear National Title Agency, he runs an organization that provides title services for the largest and most complex commercial real estate transactions. His agency is one of few title insurance agencies in the field to have the support of all five of the top major underwriters and is currently licensed in 20 states.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
DEI to me means that we are dismantling barriers, eliminating discrimination, and promoting a more just and inclusive society for all. It means we are fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. I believe that by promoting DEI, we uphold fundamental human rights and work towards a more inclusive and compassionate world where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
I quickly recognized the inherent value of diversity and the importance of equality and inclusion based on my lived experiences, beginning from childhood. As a person of color, personal encounters with discrimination and societal inequalities permeated my experiences. I became driven by a desire to create positive change and challenge systemic biases. I feel a commitment to promoting fairness, justice and the well-being of all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
I believe there are several benefits to promoting DEI. I have witnessed how DEI fosters innovation by bringing together diverse perspectives and ideas. It also enhances organizational performance and productivity which leads to higher employee engagement and satisfaction. I also believe it expands talent pools by attracting individuals from varied backgrounds while cultivating a stronger sense of belonging. Ultimately, I am a firm believer that DEI creates a more equitable, creative and inclusive society.

Lavita McMath Turner is a distinguished leader in equity and inclusion in arts and higher education. As the first chief diversity officer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, she drives initiatives for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive cultural institution. Lavita’s vast experience includes strategic leadership at Stella & Charles Guttman Community College and government relations roles at CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College and the Brooklyn Museum. With a Ph.D. in urban education, Lavita is dedicated to creating positive change and fostering accessibility in museums and educational settings.

Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano serves as interim chief diversity and inclusion officer and chief learning officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. She leads the strategy for diversity and inclusion and workforce development. Ms. Mendez’ has received global recognition for her leadership in diversity and learning and is named in the Chief Learning Officers Forum: Hall of Fame. Ms. Mendez-Justiniano holds an MBA and M.S. in organizational management and is pursuing her PhD in organizational development.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
Living and growing up in NYC, diversity is all around you. It is the beauty of recognizing that each individual is different and has unique characteristics that make them special. Equity is ensuring that everyone is afforded unbiased opportunities regardless of their ethnicity, race, socioeconomic background or the language they may speak. Inclusion to me is similar to being invited to a party. Inclusion and belonging is ensuring that everyone is represented and engaged.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
As a minority raised in communities affected by disproportionate health care, DEI represented an opportunity to become involved in the advocacy and improvement of all aspects under the DEI umbrella. It is my opportunity to give back to the wonderful communities that have been part of my upbringing and that NYC Health + Hospitals serves. I’m able to use my education and skills to improve the services provided to our patients and to our workforce.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
Diversity, equity and inclusion ensures that organizations develop an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the advantages of including individuals from all backgrounds. A benefit is to be able to provide a work environment to our workforce that is safe and values the contributions of everyone. In health care, having a workforce representative of the needs of our patients offers a critical benefit; sharing and understanding cultures, customs and languages creates an optimal patient experience.

Belinda S. Miles is the first African American and female president of SUNY Westchester Community College, the County’s largest higher education institution educating and training more than 20,000 students annually. In her first decade as president, Dr. Miles’ leadership resulted in more than doubling the college’s graduation rates, improving college readiness, and increasing retention.  President Miles promotes a caring community that supports mental health and well-being as students and employees pursue academic and professional aspirations.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
DEI involves the bringing together an eclectic mix of individuals who are not monolithic in their backgrounds and thinking. Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment allows for the input of varied perspectives to situations and objectives based on the lived experiences and observations of all participants. DEI ensures the needs and interests of group members and those impacted by policies and decisions are heard and considered, increasing the likelihood of improved outcomes for all.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
Increasing awareness of injustices and inequities in society stirred within me a desire to improve conditions for marginalized and historically underrepresented individuals. Early in my career as a college tutor at an open access institution, I experienced, firsthand, the power of education to close gaps for students who were not yet college-ready and unleash their potential and talent. I have been a fervent advocate for institutional support for this type of work since that time.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
As one of the most diverse campuses in NYS, SUNY WCC provides an opportunity for its students to engage with those from a variety of backgrounds and with different life experiences and perspectives. This diversity creates an environment of innovation and creativity, facilitating intellectual exchanges both in the classroom and during impromptu gatherings on campus. This broad exposure strengthens our students’ ability to succeed academically and, subsequently, as employees and citizens in our diverse community.

Roger Milliner, chief growth officer for MetroPlusHealth, is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He began at MetroPlusHealth in 1990 as a marketing representative, rejoining the company in 2000 as the associate executive director of marketing. Mr. Milliner manages a staff of over 350, and has been instrumental in the Plan’s exponential growth. He is committed to building relationships with community leaders, city agencies, and community-based organizations to promote health care for all New Yorkers.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
For me, diversity, equity and inclusion means that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation–and any other means by which we can get pigeonholed by others–are to be treated with respect and afforded the same opportunities to grow and pursue their dreams. It is critical that all people be seen and heard; so that their contributions at work and in their daily lives can have full meaning.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
I have been fortunate to meet with much success in my personal and professional life. But I am mindful that not all people of color or those from other sometimes marginalized communities have had the same experience. As a business leader, as a boss, as a person, I knew I wanted to help open people’s eyes to the importance of DEI. I am proud that I have the opportunity to promote these principles at MetroPlusHealth.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
In heath care, the benefits are crystal clear. Black communities, for example, are rarely represented in health care planning and decision-making, because they do not hold many executive positions. While progress has been made in recent years, having too few diverse faces in leadership positions further drives health disparities and reactive care. When the care system reflects and authentically connects to the people in the communities they serve, DEI helps build trust and understanding.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. As mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002, Morial led New Orleans’ renaissance, and left office with a 70% approval rating. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics and African American studies, he also holds a law degree from Georgetown University.

Aaron Morris is the executive director of Immigration Equality, a national non-profit fighting for the rights of LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants. He and his team protect and empower queer and HIV-positive people through legal services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy. For years, Aaron served on the NYC Bar Association’s committee on LGBTQ rights and the special committee on HIV/AIDS. Previously, he was a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a framework of interconnected concepts that aim to create fair and inclusive environments where people–regardless of their background, identity, or characteristics–have equitable opportunities and are respected and valued. Together, diversity, equity and inclusion strive to build more just and equitable societies by recognizing and appreciating human differences, dismantling systemic biases and barriers, and creating environments where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
As a person who is queer-identified and a devoted advocate for immigrants, my work enables me to make a difference in both arenas. Many queer people come to the U.S. fleeing persecution and torture because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Helping them stay safe is deeply motivating. And when we do, I see firsthand the innovation, ingenuity and creativity that queer immigrants bring to the U.S. It’s a win-win situation.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion offers numerous benefits at both the individual and organizational levels. When people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives come together, it fosters a rich exchange of ideas, increasing innovation and creativity. Inclusive environments encourage the participation of individuals with diverse perspectives, which leads to more informed decision-making processes. Embracing diversity and inclusion fosters social cohesion, harmony and mutual respect within communities.

Priya Nair is a strategic DEI leader, public servant, and LGBTQ+ policy expert. Priya currently serves as the deputy chief diversity officer for Governor Kathy Hochul. Previously, Priya served in roles throughout New York City and State government, including as the inaugural Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Edie Windsor LGBTQ+ Fellow. Priya has been named on Crain’s New York Business list of 2023 Notable LGBTQIA+ Leaders and City & State’s Pride Power 100.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
Diversity is the representation of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, thoughts and skills. Each one of us is at the intersection of multiple layers of diversity and it’s about honoring our unique differences to strengthen our work. Inclusion means fostering a workplace in which everyone can participate as their full and authentic selves. Equity considers the ways in which structural inequities impact communities and addresses the causes of those inequities so that everyone can succeed.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
As a South Asian non-binary person, I have always known what it felt like to be treated differently. From an early age, my personal experiences with stigma and discrimination drove me to fight for a better world. As a lifelong New Yorker, I’m passionate about the state where I grew up and grateful for the opportunity to make it a more diverse, equitable and inclusive place for all New Yorkers.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
Research has shown that diverse and inclusive workplaces outperform their less diverse peers, are more successful at recruiting and retaining talent, are more creative and innovative, and employees have better job satisfaction. Diversity, equity, and inclusion not only benefit an organization’s outcomes, but they are also the right thing to do. When we honor diverse perspectives, work together, and reduce barriers for underrepresented communities, we create a stronger, more resilient society for all of us.