University of Phoenix Directors of Student Diversity and Inclusion to be Featured Guest Speakers at Greater Phoenix Chamber DEI Employer Forum

Saray Lopez, MBA, and Tondra Richardson, MBA, to present at virtual event

University of Phoenix is pleased to announce leadership members Saray Lopez, MBA, director, Student Diversity & Inclusion, and Tondra Richardson, MBA, director, Student Diversity & Inclusion, both with the Office of Educational Equity, will be the featured guest speakers for the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Quarterly DEI Employer Forum. The virtual event, titled, “Fostering Equity & Empathy Across Differences,” will be held from 2 - 3:30 p.m. AZT, February 23, via Zoom.

“The Chamber’s commitment to sustainable businesses development and diversity, equity and inclusion offers local professionals a unique opportunity for education and training in inclusive leadership,” shares Lopez. “I look forward to speaking with other professionals at the event and sharing some of the practical ways inclusive leadership practices can benefit employers and employees. Regardless of the industry, business leaders looking to attract and retain talent will benefit from this practical and timely forum.”

The Greater Phoenix Chamber hosts quarterly DEI Employer Forums as part of its commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). In addition to quarterly forums, the Chamber offers a toolkit for business focused on DEIB, with resources to help businesses and employees understand the role of culture and unconscious bias in building an inclusive environment.

“We look forward to continuing these important conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and are grateful to Saray Lopez and Tondra Richardson for sharing their knowledge and guidance on inclusive leadership practices,” shares President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber, Todd Sanders.

Lopez and Richardson provide leadership, training, and management for the University’s Office of Educational Equity (OEE). The OEE engages aiming to foster cultural awareness, thought leadership and community alliances to promote and sustain educational equity and diversity initiatives. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like Educational Equity Webinar Series, Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café. The University’s second annual Inclusive Leadership Summit and Career Fair, May 2-4, 2023, will focus on developing skills as an inclusive leader and providing opportunities for networking connection and employment.

Lopez recently completed the New Leadership Academy Fellowship at University of Michigan in partnership with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. Lopez is a first-generation Ph.D. student and is passionate about creating access to education and career opportunities to enhance the quality of life of individuals regardless of their ethnicity, country of origin, socio-economic status, or circumstance.

Richardson has over 20 years of experience in higher education and is certified by the National Diversity Council as a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and completed Cornell University's Diversity and Inclusion certificate program. In addition to being a diversity and inclusion practitioner, her areas of expertise include conflict resolution and risk management with over 15 years of experience in the Office of Dispute Management at University of Phoenix where she was also certified by the Association of Title IX Administrators as a Title IX Coordinator.

Register for the DEI Employer Forum here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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