PANEL: STANDING YOUR GROUND – AMPLIFYING COMMITMENT TO CAREER EQUITY AND INCLUSION AMIDST CHALLENGES
Join us as we explore the realities of practicing diversity, equity, and inclusion. You will hear about the experience, stories and expertise of the panelist as they discuss, what it looks like to “practice what they preach”. The challenges and successes involved in making DEI everyone’s responsibility. How they support their teams/organizations in creating inclusive workplaces and policies and lastly, the role of accountability in goal setting and practice.
ABOUT OUR PANELISTS
Jennifer Barthelemy-Nerestant
(She/Her)
Secretariat Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (ODEIA) for the Commonwealth of MA, Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)
As the Secretariat Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (ODEIA) at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), Jennifer leads and supports DEIA work that directly impacts and supports over 23,000 employees within the secretariat. She is a proud alumnus of both Howard University and Suffolk University. Jennifer is a change agent focused on the transformative process of personal and societal disruption of status quo inequity, inequality, and injustice. As a powerful Black Woman in leadership, she takes pride in supporting and mentoring Women of Color on their journeys of purposefully walking in the power that they possess. Jennifer curates empowering mutual learning environments and leverages her coaching and mentoring skills to foster collaborative leadership and inclusive cultures. Jennifer specializes in racial equity and cultivating spaces where BIPOC leaders can thrive and excel and is passionate about dismantling systemic and institutional racist structures within local and state government. Her achievements include being the 1st Haitian American & 2nd African American woman to receive the 2020 Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship, a 2023 recipient of the Advancing Equity and Justice Award from the Massachusetts LGBTQ Youth Commission, and a 2024 recipient of the Black Excellence Outstanding Alumni Award for Sawyer Business School from Suffolk University.
Eric Nguyen
(He/Him)
Director, Inclusion Boston for YW Boston
Eric joined YW Boston in January 2023, bringing a deep commitment to racial and gender equity, social justice, and collective liberation to his work. As Director of InclusionBoston, he supports the team in designing and delivering a range of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs to our client organizations.
As a DEI facilitator and consultant, Eric possesses extensive experience with creating and sustaining inclusive cultures, change management, coalition building and stakeholder engagement, data-informed decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, policy review, and strategic planning processes.
Prior to joining YW Boston, Eric served as the Director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence at Framingham State University, where he provided leadership to advance institutional DEI priorities and strategic initiatives pertaining to student recruitment and enrollment, retention, and community engagement in the MetroWest region. Eric’s work within the education and nonprofit sector has also focused on expanding academic opportunities for first-generation, undocumented, and low-income students of color.
In his free time, Eric enjoys outdoor activities including rock climbing, trail running, and mountain biking. He is also an avid photographer, and he enjoys birdwatching, hiking, and gardening with his family. Within his community, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Natick Community Organic Farm; he has also served as a member of the town’s Equity Task Force and the Earth Day Planning Committee.
Ralph Tavares, Jr.
(He/Him)
Vice President, Equity and Inclusive Excellence, Storbeck Search | Diversified Search Group
Ralph Tavares Jr. (he/him/his) is the son of two hard-working Cape Verdean American parents, the first in his family to graduate from college, a proud husband, and even prouder father. These roles serve as a North star for his purpose and calling as a visionary problem solver who meets challenges with enthusiasm and an open heart.
He is the Vice President of Equity and Inclusive Excellence at Diversified Search Group where he helps build strategy and training to ensure that leaders across all industries (corporate, education, non-profit, social impact, and healthcare) are working towards their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Spending nearly two decades creating equity and access to higher education for students of color, Ralph has worked with Salve Regina University, Providence College, and most recently at Roger Williams University School of Law. Ralph has played critical roles in developing multicultural recruitment, retention, and mentoring plans and programs.
Ralph is a lead consultant with Huckel Inclusive. He is the former-president and a member of the advisory board of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP), a member of the planning committee for the National Partnership for Educational Access Annual Conference, and member-emeritus of the Northeast Consortium Bridging Access to College (NECBAC); additionally, he is a graduate of the third cohort of The Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Leadership initiative, recipient of the 2022 MVP Award from Storbeck Search, 2021 Dean’s Distinguished Service Award from Roger Williams University School of Law, 2021 Diversity Champion Award from Providence Business News, the 2019 Torchbearer Award from Providence College, and the 2015 Founder’s Award from the New England Counselors of Color Bridging Access to College.
Ralph is a Providence College graduate with a BA in English with Black Studies, Women’s Studies, and Business Concentration, and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Management and Innovation from Salve Regina University.
Eneida Roman
(She/Her)
President of Amplify Latinx
Eneida Roman is a seasoned and highly respected business leader who has gained national recognition for her outstanding contributions to advancing women and Latinos across various sectors. An innovator, and small business owner for over two decades, she is determined to strengthen the U.S. economy by maximizing the potential of women and communities of color. Eneida is a natural connector and innovator with diverse skills set, and the impact of her intersectional endeavors is felt across the nation.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to building bridges are a testament to her contributions and expertise as an attorney, organizational psychologist, and as co-founder of Amplify Latinx. Eneida has played a pivotal role in leading Amplify Latinx with unwavering conviction and cultural competence. She leads the organization by placing a strong emphasis on racial and ethnic equity, working tirelessly to create opportunities and drive meaningful change for Latinos across sectors.
Eneida’s meaningful dedication and impact have earned her numerous accolades and recognition in her field. She is a distinguished Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honor limited to just one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. Among other local and national distinctions, Eneida has been repeatedly acknowledged as a Top Latino Attorney by Latino Leaders Magazine, further highlighting her significant contributions and influence.
In addition to her professional achievements, Eneida actively serves in various important roles and boards. She is a Governor Appointee to the Massachusetts Governor’s Latino Empowerment Council and the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Advisory Board. She has held prominent leadership positions within prestigious organizations such as the American Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Bar Association. Currently, she shares her expertise and insights with the HOPE National Council, Latino Victory’s National Committee, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Advisory Board, the Boston Women’s Workforce Council, MassINC’s Board of Directors, ALPFA National Board, and Eastern Bank’s Board of Ambassadors.
Eneida Roman’s outstanding accomplishments, combined with her commitment to equitable public policy and leadership in various influential organizations, solidify her reputation as a catalytic pacesetter. She continues to make significant strides in promoting diversity, inclusion, and empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on the lives and careers of women and Latinos nationwide.
Bonnie Rivers
(She/Hers)
Director, Employer Relations and Disability Inclusion Training for Work Without Limits and University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Bonnie’s personal diversity statement is “Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice.” Bonnie has consistently fostered diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice throughout her career. She has applied this passion to her leadership of corporate learning and development, marketing operations, corporate responsibility, and global diversity and inclusion teams. Bonnie also enthusiastically drives inclusion through keynote, podcast, and training engagements. In recognition of her advocacy and education, Bonnie and the Work Without Limits team, was the recipient of the 2022 Employment Options, Toni A Wolf ‘Power of Change’ Award. Currently, Bonnie leads and fosters all membership relationships and activities surrounding the Work Without Limits Business Network —a network of approximately 40 local, national, and international businesses committed to disability inclusion. She also leads Work Without Limits’ disability inclusion training strategy, management, course design, and delivery. Bonnie additionally provides disability inclusion consulting for both corporate and higher education organizations who seek to increase their disability inclusion confidence, competence, and capacity. Among other high-profile initiatives, Bonnie has led and collaborated closely with executive leadership and key business leaders associated with the MA Vocational Rehabilitation system (MassAbility) and the MA Commission for the Blind to improve disability employment outcomes across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bonnie has also partnered closely with the MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services on advancing education and support for both Independent Nurses and Personal Care Attendants. Bonnie has an BA in Psychology and Philosophy and minor in Theater from St. Michael’s College and a Master of Education from UMass Boston in Instructional Design. .
