Pamela Wheeler, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at NFP, added equity and belonging to the diversity and inclusion work. She revamped the DEIB Advisory Council and launched a system of regional and platform DEIB Committees. Pamela rebranded the Business Resource Groups to reinforce DEIB as a business imperative for NFP and expanded opportunities for employees to connect and get involved. She also had a third-party consultant conduct a company-wide DEIB assessment to establish a baseline for measuring progress. A Supplier Diversity Program was created, and partnerships with numerous advocacy organizations were developed. Pamela was instrumental in facilitating NFP’s $1 million commitment to the MDI Keeper’s Fund, providing capital for Minority Depository Institutions to facilitate loans to small businesses and promote community development in low-and moderate-income areas.

The many successes in the DEIB space are due to focusing on showing people why everyone should want to be part of a community that values DEIB and connecting DEIB to better business outcomes. They include the ability to attract talent and innovation. Pamela believes accountability is crucial to creating a framework for understanding what works, adaptation, and realizing the potential of DEIB.

Favorite Quote: DEIB is about changing the systems and cultures in which we operate. In order to become the diverse, equitable, inclusive communities where everyone feels they belong, we have to go beyond programs to truly make a lasting impact. - Pamela Wheeler