Welcoming Environment® Committee

The Welcoming Environment® Committee plays an integral role in promoting diversity and inclusion by ensuring that Association Forum makes everyone who interacts with Association Forum feel welcomed and valued. A Welcoming Environment® is defined as the creation of a sense of belonging and connectedness that engages individuals in an authentic manner in which uniqueness is valued, respected and supported through opportunities and interaction. 

The Committee:

  • Encourages the development of a Welcoming Environment® within every aspect of Association Forum
  • Monitors metrics to gauge the efficacy of Welcoming Environment® efforts
  • Scans the association community to contribute to the development of the online Welcoming Environment® Resource Center.
  • Actively promotes and encourages diversity and inclusion within Association Forum

These Opportunities Are Recommended for Members Who:

  • Have diversity, equity and inclusion training or background 
  • Are passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion within Association Forum

Time Commitment:

  • Monthly committee meetings
  • Participation in conference calls and sub-committee meetings as necessary
  • Act as Welcome Ambassadors at programs and events when available 

Members

Jonathan Adams, CAE, Chair
Kathleen M Bell, FASAE
Cassie Buchanan, MBA, SHRM-CP
Malia Cook-Artis, CAE
Josie Hernandez, IOM
Kerri Leo, MATD, CAE, CHCP
Jose Marroquin
Charmaine Osborne, CAE
Jorge Rivera, CAE, IOM
Emily Thompson, CMP, DES
Debbie Trueblood, MSW, FASAE, IOM, CAE

Board Liaison
Jose Segarra, MNA, CAE

Staff Liaison
Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE
moore@associationforum.org

Heidi Lapka, Interim Membership Director 
HLapka@associationforum.org