Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
PATTERN’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
It is important to Pattern that diverse populations within the Hudson Valley are beneficiaries of its mission to enhance the growth and vitality of the region and to improve regional quality of life. Toward that end, Pattern has created this Task Force in response to those key elements of its strategic plan that establish Pattern’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and to make that commitment a key priority of the organization moving forward. Specifically, this Task Force has been directed to generate recommendations as to how Pattern can best focus its work on broad inclusivity and fairness of outcomes. Pattern views diversity broadly to include populations of individuals of varying gender, religion, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, different abilities, economic and other attributes.
This task force generated seven principal recommendations and 21 specific implementing strategies all designed to cement Pattern’s commitment to DEI. In September of 2020 the Pattern Board unanimously adopted the Task Force Report and immediately took action to implement two of its recommendations aimed at incorporating DEI into Pattern’s organizational structure. It modified the organization’s Mission Statement to reflect the requirement that solutions it recommends be equitable and it modified Pattern’s By-Laws to create a DEI standing committee that will focus constant attention on the issue.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
The commitment to DEI is ongoing and the process of implementing the Task Force recommendations will take time. However, Pattern believes it is uniquely suited to “move the dial” on the integration of issues of inclusivity and fairness into its traditional areas of work including, but not limited to housing, education, health, community development, economic policy, government efficiency and environmental quality. Pattern can do this because of its research capabilities, its broad relationships and ability to convene diverse groups.
We are off and running. To see what has already been accomplished and what is happening with our DEI efforts now, follow the links below –
Pattern’s DEI Committee
A standing committee to ensure the organization’s focus on matters of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion both within the organization itself and, as part of the organization’s substantive work. The committee shall have the responsibility to develop specific Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies, strategies and implementary measures for consideration of the Board.
The Chair of the Board shall appoint a Board member to be the chairperson of the committee. The committee shall be comprised of board members, community members, and may also include ex-officio member appointments made at the discretion of the chairperson, and it welcomes all who are invested in DEI and want to help.
That DEI Committee, meeting four times per year, is doing the follow up work laid out for it by the Task Force, and has accomplished several additional milestones.
Donna Johnson-Klonsky, MBA, PCC
DEI Committee Co-Chair & Pattern Executive Board Member
President, DJ Consulting Services, Inc.
Phil Guarnieri
DEI Committee Co-Chair
CEO, Empire State Bank
Larry Wolinsky
Former Partner, J & G, LLP
Dennis Barnett
Pattern Board Member
President, Propinquity Associates
Bill Calderara
Pattern Board Treasurer
President & CEO, Ulster Savings Bank
Vincent L. DeLucia
Pattern Board Member
Regional President, Commercial Banking in the Hudson Valley, Sterling National Bank
Freddimir Garcia
Pattern Board Member
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors
Suzanne Rhulen Loughlin
Pattern Board Member
EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, CrisisRisk Strategies, LLC
Dr. Belinda S. Miles, Ed.D
Pattern Board Member
President, Westchester Community College
Irenee Paul
Pattern Board Member
VP Area Retail Leader, Key Bank
Inaudy Esposito
Executive Director
Orange County Human Rights Commission
Lubna Somjee, Ph.D.
Psychologist and Executive Coach
Karen J. Gates, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, CODP
Human Resources Business Partner
Hudson Valley Credit Union
Tanya Dwyer
Founder
Parish House & Public Interest Lawyer
Robin DeGroat
Pattern Staff
Vice President for Operations & Executive Assistant to the President
Kate Stryker
Pattern Staff
Research Planner
Join Pattern’s DEI Committee!
DEI Focused Internal Programs
The DEI committee partners with firm leadership in implementing strategies to increase, enhance, and sustain diversity within the organization.
- Diversity Training for the Board of Directors & Staff
- DEI Committee
- Community Involvement
- The Board Institute
- The Pattern Fellows
- Community ReBuilders
