Equity Briefs: Innovating in Times of Change

We are all managing dramatic change and at SPACC we are seeking to keep us connected.

The Equity Series will be postponed until we can reconvene in person. It is anticipated session 2 and 3 will be held on June 10 and July 15. Until then, SPACC will leverage the momentum of the first Equity Series, session 1, by gathering regional leaders for critical DEI discussions, via online webinars. Called Equity Briefs, these discussions will focus on the innovation necessary to reorient business during challenging times.

Carrying the theme of innovation, the Equity Briefs will run for one hour, include interaction via questions and small group discussions. and encourage participants to walk away with actions to innovate in their jobs and personal lives.

Please continue this journey with us! Sign up for the Equity Briefs. This webinar is designed for leaders at all levels in business, non-profits and other organizations, as well as practitioners of diversity, equity and inclusion. Experts will provide you with key resources and support you as you dive deeper to understand how you show up as a leader and help you to drive DEI in your organization.

Join us and positively impact your life, your work environment and our community. We welcome Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practitioners.

Session 3 May 6: Building Racial Health Equity: It’s Our Business (The systems and policy of business for employee and community wellbeing)

Moderator: Anika Ward, Founder and Principal, Sankofa Leadership Network

For over 20 years, Anika has worked to improve outcomes for youth and families through partnerships that leverage the power of community voice, vision and leadership. Most recently the senior director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Prevention, she has spent her career working to advance initiatives in education, cultural art & science, workforce development, community health and wellbeing. Her work has impacted community groups, nonprofits, museums, state and local government, and healthcare organizations across the region. Prior to the Center for Prevention, Anika worked at the State of Minnesota to attract, support and retain leaders of color in executive positions. As the director of the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota, she worked to build career pathways to increase engagement for women and people of color.

She brings both a systems-based and relationship-based approach to her work. She leads initiatives that work to transform systems to eliminate disparities and advance equity. Anika spends her free time making and enjoying music, arts and sports activities with her husband, four children, puppy, and a large extended family. She holds a M.A. degree in Human Services, and a B.A. in Human Resource Management from Concordia University – Saint Paul. In 2016, she was named one of “40 under 40” by the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal.

Presenters:

Maria Sarabia, Diversity, Inclusion & Organizational Development, Ramsey County

Maria Sarabia serves at Ramsey County in the Human Resourced Department. She provides leadership and operational management of the Diversity, Inclusion & Organizational Development (DIOD) Unit. Her work supports the Ramsey County workforce, including leaders at all levels and managers across four Service Teams, twenty-nine Departments, and four thousand employees—with the aim to grow an organizational culture that Advances Racial & Health Equity through policy and practice. Maria serves as a visionary leader to help develop a performance management system to better attract and retain excellent and diverse talent, promote career growth, and invest in succession planning. Maria is a leader in community engagement and participatory methods in government systems. Prior to joining Human Resources, Maria served as Ramsey County’s first Health Equity Officer where she helped position the organization to deconstruct organizational barriers and co-create solutions with employees and residents, to improve outcomes for all people in Ramsey County. She brings a human-centered touch to work. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Inner City Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master of Arts from the School of Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.

Vayong Moua, MPA Director of Health Equity Advocacy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Vayong Moua leads advocacy for BCBS of MN, to advance health inequity and address upstream determinants of health, among all Minnesotans. His philosophy and action focuson integrating health equity into governance across sectors, issues, and cultural communities. Moua applies cross cultural power and equity analysis into advocacy approaches and structural solutions. Moua championed Blue Cross’ Health in All Policies investment and co-founded the Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition that led passage of Minnesota’s state Complete Streets law. More recently, Moua chaired (2015-2019) the legislated Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (CECLC) that catalyzed the Department of Human Service’s agency wide policy on equity. Moua received his BA with a triple major in Philosophy, Sociology/Anthropology, and Asian studies from St. Olaf College. He received his MPA from the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Moua was a Public Policy/International Affairs Fellow, Humphrey Policy Fellow, and Change Network Fellow. He celebrates his Hmong refugee identity and along with Pha Chia, enjoys raising Ishii (4 year-old) and Ishua (5 months).

Investment: Free

Thank you to our 2020 Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor: Bremer Bank

Venue Sponsor: Science Museum of Minnesota

Program Sponsor: Bush Foundation

Corporate Sponsors: Andersen Corporation, Flint Hills, Land O'Lakes, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, Redpath, Travelers, Xcel Energy

Contributing Sponsors: Anchor Paper, Sunrise Banks, University of St. Thomas

If interested in sponsoring this year’s Equity Briefs or Equity Series please contact Channon Lemon (channon@saintpaulchamber.com).

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