As the founder of the National Diversity Council, I would like to welcome you to the third edition of the 2013 Texas Diversity Council Newsletter. I am very proud of the work we have done so far and excited about the momentum we continue to have. The growth of our mission is apparent with the addition of the Corpus Christi market, which had their first event with the Inaugural Women in Leadership Symposium.
Cecilia Orellana-Rojas has recently joined the Texas Diversity Council as vice president of strategy and research. In this role, she will provide a clear direction for the Texas Diversity Council leadership by planning, defining, articulating and managing the ongoing execution of the organization's strategic goals.
The Texas Diversity Council hosted their Inaugural Corpus Christi Women in Leadership Symposium at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi on July 17th, 2013. The half-day event brought together a panel of female executives, who shared their success stories in regards to climbing the "corporate ladder" with a diverse audience of professional women.
The Texas Diversity Council brought together the healthcare community to engage in dialog and action on diversity & leadership best practices. The theme for this year was "The Paradigm Shift to Drive Cultural Competence in Healthcare". With recent changes to our National Health Care System as well as the changing demographics in our country.There is an urgent need to understand the importance of healthcare organizations providing a culturally competent framework to serve such a diverse population.
As September 15 comes closer on our calendar, we begin to see cities and communities across the United States start the process of planning parades, festivals, guest speakers, and other important cultural necessities in order to celebrate what is quickly becoming one of the preeminent 30 day celebrations, also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
August 28, 2013
Gulf Coast Healthcare Diversity Summit
Houston, TX
September 17, 2013
Greater Fort Worth Women In Leadership Symposium
Fort Worth, TX
October 17, 2013
Central Texas DiversityFIRSTTM Awards Luncheon
Austin, TX
October 22, 2013
Greater San Antonio DiversityFIRSTTM Awards Luncheon
San Antonio, TX
October 29, 2013
Gulf Coast DiversityFIRSTTM Awards Luncheon
Houston, TX
November 13, 2013
Greater Dallas Women's Summit
Dallas, TX
November 15, 2013
Greater San Antonio Healthcare Summit
San Antonio, TX
Lisa Firmin came to her work in diversity and inclusion at University of Texas San Antonio, not through a degree, but through a 30-year career in the armed forces. When Firmin retired from active duty three years ago, she was the highest ranking Latina in the United States Air Force." She had earned a Bronze Star in combat, held her own with Marines and led hundreds and thousands of people in the harshest of climates.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and all partners of the Texas Diversity Council are encouraged to participate. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.
