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IDEA Leaders

IDEA Leaders (formerly known as the Diversity Leaders Group, or DLG) is a university-wide collective of senior diversity leaders, representing Northwestern University’s schools/colleges and major administrative units, who have primary responsibility for inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability (IDEA) in their areas.

The group is convened by OIDI, a central unit within the Provost’s Office. IDEA Leaders form a knowledgeable advisory body for OIDI’s Vice President and Associate Provost/CDO and work with OIDI on navigating challenges and advancing initiatives. Working together as a brain trust, we move forward Northwestern University’s strategic goals and institutional commitments to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.

Roles and Responsibilities

IDEA Leaders are charged both within their respective units and institutionally to:

  • Advise on IDEA policies, rules, and guidelines (PRGs) in their units and support the broader institutional decision-making on IDEA PRGs
  • Disseminate information, best practices, and key initiatives happening across the university to their units.
  • Serve as a catalyst for IDEA creativity and innovation
  • Establish accountability benchmarks for and ensure progress toward strategic IDEA goals

Appointment

IDEA Leaders are often the first point of contact for inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability efforts within their unit. Appointments are made by the unit’s highest-ranking leadership (e.g., Dean, VP), who is a key partner in advancing organizational change and process with particular attention to how IDEA shows up at every level of the structure.

2022-2023 IDEA Leaders

Name Unit Title

Aisha Ghori Ozaki

Office of Research

Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Office for Research

Amber Townsend

Lurie Cancer Center; Feinberg School of Medicine

Manager, Diversity and Inclusion FSM Cancer Center

Anthony McCray

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

DEI Communications Specialist

Bernard Banks

Kellogg School of Management

Associate Dean (Academic), Management and Organizations; J. L. Kellogg School of Management

Bruce Lindvall

McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean; Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Elisa Flores

AccessibleNU (ANU)

Assistant Director, Evanston Campus

Hilary Zimmerman

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Director, Diversity Initiatives, Evaluation & Assessment

Jasmine Gurneau

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Director, Native American and Indigenous Affairs

Jennifer Keys

Searle Center for Advancing Learning & Teaching

Director, Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching, Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching

Ken Woo

School of Professional Studies

Senior Director of IT & Facilities, School of Professional Studies

Kimberly Scott

School of Education and Social Policy

Associate Dean of Innovation and Program Development, Executive Director, MSLOC & ELOC, School of Education and Social Policy

Leona Quist

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Executive Assistant, institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Lauren-Ashley Buchanan

The Graduate School

Interim Director for Diversity and Inclusion / Associate Director, Student Life

Lesley-Ann Brown-Henderson

Student Affairs

Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs & Chief of Staff, Vice Pres Student Affairs

Linda Ann Jacobs

Bienen School of Music

Assistant Dean Student Affairs Music, Administration; Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music

Lisa Gabrielle Williams

Alumni Relations & Development

Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Alumni Relations & Development

Louie Lainez

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Office Manager, Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Maria Elena Sanchez

University Athletics

Senior Associate AD/Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Univ Athletics - Administration

Matthew Johnson

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs; Kenneth F Burgess Professor of Anthropology

Maureen Veronica Knight-Burrell

IT Admin Systems Application Development & Operations

Associate Director, Applications Development & Operations, IT Admin Systems Application Development & Operations

Michelle Manno

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion

Priya Jenveja Harjani

Office of Human Resources

Associate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel

Reba-Anna Lee

School of Professional Studies

Assistant Dean Distance Learning, Asst Dean Distance Learning, School of Professional Studies

Robert Brown

Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications 

Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Outreach, Administration; Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

Robert Hartman

Office of Human Resources

Assistant Vice President for Human Resources

Robin R. Means Coleman

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Vice President, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer, Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Roderick Hawkins

School of Communication

Associate Dean External Affairs & Chief of Staff, Administration; School of Communication

Sarah Brown

Women's Center

Director of Women's Center, Women's Center

Soo La Kim

School of Professional Studies

Assistant Dean Graduate Programs, Asst Dean Graduate Progs, School of Professional Studies

Steven Adams

University Library

Librarian, Academic Engagement: Northwestern University Library

Tameka Brannon

Feinberg School of Medicine

Director Diversity, Inclusion & Outreach, Deans Office; Feinberg School of Medicine

Victoria O Akinde

University Library

Department Head, Library, Organizational Development; Northwestern University Library