Power Players in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Eric Alemany is the New York Power Authority’s senior director of supplier relationship management. In his role, he oversees the Power Authority’s supplier outreach and the development of business opportunity programs. Eric manages relationships with key and diverse suppliers, supporting and promoting economic development throughout New York State. Eric holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering in addition to an MBA in executive management.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that support underrepresented groups within our workplace, community, and supply chain. The New York Power Authority prioritizes the inclusion of diverse, local businesses to support the economic vibrancy and vitality of New York. As part of New York ‘s nation-leading supplier diversity efforts, NYPA has established an organizational goal of 30% Minority-, Women-Owned Business Enterprises and 6% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses contract participation.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
As an engineer, I had firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced within the local and diverse business community to compete and grow their businesses. As part of our commitment, the Power Authority now offers three intensive supportive business development programs, free of charge, to build the capacity of small and local businesses, prepare businesses to qualify and obtain surety bonds, and work with key suppliers to mentor small business owners.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
Organizations that prioritize working with diverse suppliers, like the Power Authority, can benefit from better-quality products and services, lower costs and increased innovation.

Nancy Harvey is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the New York Power Authority (NYPA) where she provides leadership and strategic direction to create and support an inclusive, respectful workplace free from discrimination. A trusted advisor to leadership and colleagues, Nancy established NYPA’s Office of Civil Rights and Inclusion in 2017 to expand NYPA’s DEI efforts. Nancy was named the 2023 Woman of the Year by the New York Diversity Council.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
At NYPA, we view DEI in three ways: 

• Diversity; who is represented in the workforce  
• Equity; how we ensure equality of opportunity  
• Inclusion; how the workplace experiences diversity  

Our commitment to DEI compels us to embrace characteristics that make our employees unique; provide equal access and opportunity for employees and strategic partners to mitigate societal inequities; and create an environment where every employee, business partner and community advocate feels valued.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
My family immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica believing in the land of educational and economic opportunity. I believe in a world free from discrimination, intolerance, harassment and retaliation and was drawn to DEI work for the ability to show up as a committed champion of women, minorities, underrepresented groups and cultural change. My goal is to create a culture that attracts more people to the energy industry, helping employees be and do their best.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
A safe and inclusive workplace benefits us all. Unlocking and uplifting historically underrepresented employees generates new ideas, perspectives and relationships that can improve our lives and business outcomes with new solutions.  Often the workplace is where we learn how to listen and engage each other respectfully. We are creating a culture that mirrors the diversity of our state and harnesses our greatest competitive advantage: collaboration.

Ana L. Oliveira is president and CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation. She has led the Foundation’s grantmaking to $10M today and launched the National Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives alongside other innovative funds. She has served in numerous commissions and is a respected voice in racial and gender justice philanthropy. Ana has an M.A. from The New School and was previously CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis and VP of Osborne Association.

Dr. Cindy Pace is vice president, global chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at MetLife and leads the global DEI strategy for the enterprise with over 40,000 employees across the world. Aligned to the company’s business imperative, the strategy drives and promotes DEI as critical success factors to fuel innovation, cross-cultural collaboration and business success. Dr. Pace is the executive producer and host of the MetLife sponsored Inclusion Begins with Me: Conversations that Matter podcast.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
Diversity is about leveraging our unique attributes and perspectives. It’s bigger than having diversity, it’s leveraging it. Inclusion is ensuring that in our daily interactions with each other, people feel fully respected, recognized and valued for who they are; that we can bring our full selves to the organization. And equity is about everyone receiving the support they need to be successful.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
Realizing that my work isn’t a job, it’s a choice and I am the grateful beneficiary of great human progress due to the countless sacrifices of my parents, uncles, aunts, grand-parents, teachers and mentors who believed in my potential to make a difference. This serves as my motivation to cultivate a purpose-driven and inclusive culture that taps into the full potential of everyone —allowing our differences to work together so we can succeed together.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
Some benefits we know from practice and research is that cultivating a diversity of talent and perspectives in an inclusive environment produces greater latitude to speak-up, increased authenticity, sense of belonging, creativity, collaboration and team cohesiveness and performance. These are measurable factors that can positively impact overall organizational performance and wellbeing. At MetLife, our DEI commitments and actions are about meeting the needs of our people, our customers, our shareholders, and the communities we serve.

Jessenia Paoli currently serves as the chief diversity officer at Bronx Community College, a public, community college offering over 40 programs to the Bronx community. In this role, Jessenia is responsible for upholding the college’s commitment to equal opportunity for all members of the campus. Jessenia earned her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and B.A. from New York University.

Nayan Parikh is the owner of Ashnu International Corporation, an award winning MWBE construction and management provider to a host of federal and state agencies, corporations and other industries. Nayan serves as vice president of the National Association of Minority Contractors and is a member of the Mayor’s construction mentorship advisory panel. He was named to City & State’s 2022 Construction Power 100 and received the hall of fame award from the National Association of Minority Contractors. 

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
My motivation to become a DEI advocate came from a deep commitment to social justice and belief in the inherent value of diversity. My goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, included and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. 

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion leads to enhanced creativity, improved decision making, increased employee engagement and a wider talent pool.

Jazmin A. Peralta is a transformative justice educator with over 18 years of experience supporting marginalized communities in higher education. She currently serves as the executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Pratt Institute. Jazmin holds an M.S. in higher education and student affairs from Purdue University, a B.A. in Spanish language and literature and mass communication from Florida State University and is currently a doctoral candidate at Northeastern University.

Dr. Rinardo Reddick is originally from North Carolina. He completed a B.A. degree from East Carolina University, a M.A. degree from Appalachian State University, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Dr. Reddick’s career spans more than 23 years, with a keen focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the various leadership roles that he has held. His passions for DEI and advocacy are demonstrated in his daily interactions with the WCC community.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
My knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, draws on principles of inclusive excellence as a framework and model. Inclusive excellence integrates all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within our lived experiences. Inclusive Excellence is grounded in valuing the lived experiences of those around you and the willingness to learn, grow and be challenged to be a voice for those whose voice may have been silenced.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
My lived experiences as a member of marginalized groups have informed my advocacy for DEI. It’s critical to be a voice for those who may not have a voice or whose voice has been silenced.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
The benefits for promoting DEI are immense. DEI facilitates exposure to different lived experiences, thoughts, and values. It’s through this engagement, that we learn about those around us, including insight into our own lived experiences.

Arva Rice currently serves as president and CEO of the New York Urban League. The New York Urban League is leading the way underserved African Americans are educated, employed, and empowered across the five boroughs. Arva is interim chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board, a member of the Women’s Forum, Greater New York Chapter of The Links Incorporated, and a trustee at First Corinthians Baptist Church. Arva graduated from Northwestern University.

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion?
Diversity is inviting everyone to the party. Inclusion is getting everyone to dance. Equity is asking everyone to contribute to the playlist.

What motivated you to become a DEI advocate?
My parents instilled in me the core value that for every door that was opened for me it is my responsibility to open a door for another. My role creates a unique opportunity for me to press corporations to make sure their workforces reflect their customers while identifying, training, and supporting community members to work in those corporations.

What do you think are some of the benefits of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
DEI is no longer a moral imperative, it is a business one. Innovation requires a diversity of thoughts and opinions, backgrounds and experiences. Creativity and problem-solving is required to transcend geographic borders and cultures. So corporations must hire talent that can meet the needs of new and emerging markets. DEI efforts create opportunities to identify, recruit and retain talent that visionary corporations need.