Wayne Ho Named a 2024 Power Player in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro
On August 21st, PoliticsNY and amNY Metro published their 2024 Power Players in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion list, highlighting professionals who champion diversity, equity and inclusion across industries. Wayne Ho, our President and CEO, was featured and emphasized the importance of nonprofits leading with their values to promote equity and opportunity both externally and internally. He also advised that substantial DEI efforts, such as appointing a DEI lead, budgeting for DEI initiatives, and forming a representative DEI committee, are crucial for meaningful progress.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
It is important for nonprofit organizations to lead with our values. Externally, we must provide services and advocate for policy positions that reflect our values. Internally, we must promote opportunity and equity for all staff, especially people of color, women, LGBTQ+, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, and other marginalized communities. CPC serves and advocates for our community members who are Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income individuals, and we provide leadership and promotion opportunities for diverse staff.
Why is diversity, equity and inclusion important to you and/or your organization?
CPC employs over 5,200 individuals to provide services to over 80,000 New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds. To remain the trusted partner to individuals and their families, we have been emphasizing our historic and continuing commitment to the Chinese American community while serving the diverse ethnic and immigrant populations throughout New York City. Promoting DEI helps us better achieve our mission because staff are embraced and empowered and community members are educated and engaged.
What advice do you have for organizations looking to establish or improve DEI initiatives?
DEI initiatives must go beyond symbolic gestures and must become substantive efforts. There are many ways to ensure that DEI initiatives make an impact. Have a DEI lead who reports to the CEO. Provide a budget for DEI initiatives. Form a DEI committee that reflects all levels of the organization and that has decision-making power. Communicate with all staff about the importance of DEI. These actions have all helped CPC’s DEI initiatives.