Wise Professionals Panel
Join us for a thought-provoking conference panel on “Professional Development & Radical Inclusivity”. This session will explore the vital intersection of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, and how we can cultivate a culture that fosters growth and empowerment for all employees.
The panelists will discuss various strategies for assessing the DEI climate in the workplace and engaging with colleagues to create a more inclusive and equitable environment. They will delve into the importance of bringing equity into the workplace and the proactive role that institutions can play in shaping and creating an environment for employees to thrive.
Attendees will gain valuable insights in the hidden curriculums that exist within many organizations, and how to recognize and challenge them. The panelists will also provide practical advice on how to advocate for professional growth and DEI education within the workplace, while being proactive in setting up processes that promote these values.
Araceli Cruz
Araceli Cruz is a first-generation Latina higher education administrator and advocate who is passionate about advancing educational equity and economic justice for all students. Throughout her career, Ms. Cruz has been committed to removing barriers for underrepresented groups, including BIPOC, undocumented, and first-generation students, in higher education. She has used her bilingual and bicultural skills to develop culturally specific strategies to bolster students’ success and family engagement in post-secondary institutions.
Jamie Davis
Jamie Davis serves as Regional Director of Oregon State University (OSU) Outreach and Engagement. In this role, she supports field-based OSU Extension Service Faculty in Southern Oregon and partners with local communities to provide trusted expertise and science-based knowledge to address critical issues and help every Oregonian thrive. Jamie is dedicated to supporting OSU’s Land-Grant and inclusive excellence mission in the context of the communities within Douglas, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Lake, and Harney Counties. Jamie is a doctoral student in OSU’s Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) Adult and Higher Education program.
Abigail Thomas
Abby Thomas serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs at Linfield University. She has a passion for creating inclusive environments and as an advisor for student organizations that represent students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and first-generation students, Abby is dedicated to helping underrepresented students navigate higher education. Growing up as the daughter of a first-generation, Latina college student, Abby has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by historically excluded communities in higher education. Her personal experiences have fueled her drive to remove systemic barriers to inclusion and help foster a sense of belonging for all students. Beyond her professional endeavors, Abby enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and getting involved in the community.
Ida Lombardozzi
Ida Lombardozzi is the Director of Services for Students with Children at Portland State University. Ida is a passionate educator, experienced at working with children, families and underrepresented communities and brings deep experience in collaborative leadership, and centering trauma-informed care. She is an advocate for anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices, a creator and sustainer of an anti-capitalist, intersectional workplace, and an impactful changemaker, committed to helping mission-driven organizations deliver impact