Diversity in Action

Today the City of Pittsburgh, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Regional Disparity Study Consortium, has issued a request for proposals for a Regional Disparity Study. The consortium, the largest consortium of public entities in recent history, is compromised of the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Parking Authority, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and the Stadium Authority.  

The Disparity Study will work to ensure that minority-owned and woman-owned business (MWDBEs) and LGBTQ+ have access to equitable opportunities to government contracts and will examine the effects of marketplace discrimination.  

“Creating opportunities for our diverse business community is one of the ways that we can transform our city into a city for all,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “I am thankful for the regional partnership, and it is a shining example of what it looks like to come together to create a better future for everyone in Pittsburgh.”  Over the past two and a half years Mayor Ed Gainey has been working towards creating more opportunities for our local small and diverse businesses to thrive. Through these efforts the City has been engaging in a Procurement Modernization Process that has led to increased opportunities for all. 

New pre-bid policies with better and more dedicated outreach efforts have seen attendance at pre-bid meetings rise from an average of 5 contractors attending to over 20.  

The rise in attendance has also seen an increase in overall MWDBE participation, which is up 3% from the previous year. Last year three Black-owned businesses were selected as prime contracts for major projects; Homewood Field, the DPW 4th Division, and the Comprehensive City Plan. Prior to the modernization efforts, from 2017-2022 there had only been four Black-owned businesses to win a prime contract on either construction projects in excess of $250,000 or professional services in excess of $50,000.  

The changes also resulted in the first certified LGBTQ+ business participating as a subcontractor on an approved contract, and the city now has a list of over 40 certified LGBTQ+ businesses.   

Yesterday the City convened a stakeholder briefing that included 40 local members of the MWDBE, LGBTQ+ business community to provide an overview of the process and share details about the progress made with the modernization effort, and why the disparity study is a critical tool for the community.  

The last disparity study completed by the City of Pittsburgh was conducted over two decades ago, with data being used from 1996-1998. The new study will be a critical tool to help create more equitable opportunities for small diverse businesses in our city. 

What it will do:  

• Determines the relative availability of minority-owned and women-owned businesses that are ready, willing and able to do business with the Study Consortium members within the relevant market area(s);   
• Identifies the nature of, and determines the extent to which, any barriers may have resulted in disparities in the utilization of available M/WBEs in public and private sector contracts;    
• Analyzes the contracting and procurement data of each Study Consortium member to determine its respective M/WBE utilization, as well as the Study Consortium’s collective utilization as a whole, of minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises;   
• Determines the extent to which any identified disparities in the utilization of available minority and women owned businesses by any member of the Study Consortium, and by the Study Consortium as a whole, might be impacted by discrimination;    
• Identifies and summarizes related findings from previous disparity studies and research encompassing the relevant marketplace from which Study Consortium members routinely purchase goods and services;    
• Analyzes the effectiveness of various race- and gender-neutral remedies and practices previously undertaken in the relevant marketplace; and    
• Recommends programs, policies, and practices that are narrowly tailored to remedy the effects of any identified discrimination and to reduce or eliminate any other marketplace barriers that adversely affect the utilization of such minority and women owned businesses by Study Consortium members.   

Benefits of the Study:  

• Economic Impact Analysis - to determine the broader economic development impacts from any race- and gender-conscious programs and policies that have been operating in the relevant geographic market over the course of the Study Period.  Analyze and assess economic impacts generated by the administration of such programs and policies within the relevant geographic market.  
• Regional database of MWDBE, LGBTQ+ vendors by industry  
• Vendor Survey – collect and incorporate vendor experience and input  
• List of remedies, measures, and recommendations to address identified disparity and barriers (both race-and-gender-conscious and race-and-gender neutral)  
• Data evidence to continue to support and/or modify our current programs  
• MWBE, LGTBQIA+ participation goals that are industry specific 

"The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh maintains a steadfast commitment to providing business opportunities to minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses and has consistently exceeded our goals of 18% MBE and 7% WBE participation," said HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion. "We're committed to furthering our efforts to encourage minority business participation and are proud to join the City of Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh Regional Disparity Study."   

“The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is proud to have a robust supplier diversity program and we remain committed to providing procurement opportunities for diverse businesses,” said Will Pickering PWSA’s CEO. “Participating in this regional study will provide an additional tool to enhance and improve our program.” 

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on August 29th at 10am in the Learning Lab conference room located on the 6th floor of the City County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Attendees should use the elevators located on the Grant Street side of the building to access the 6th floor. This meeting will also be held via Microsoft Teams.  

For more information about the study, including timelines for submitting questions and proposal deadlines visit: Project overview (opengov.com) 

Pitt has appointed Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher as the new Renèe and Richard Goldman Dean of the School of Education.

Since Zamani-Gallaher joined Pitt in 2022, her scholarship has secured nearly $10.5 million in funding from the National Science Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organizations. She stepped into her new position May 1 following a rigorous national search led by Vice Provost Lu-in Wang and School of Social Work Dean Betsy Farmer.

Before she became interim dean in August, Zamani-Gallaher was a professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Organizations and Policy. Her research areas include equitable participation in higher education, transfer and retention policies and racial equity in postsecondary pathways.

“Eboni’s exceptional experience and expertise — and her demonstrated and deep dedication to the mission-vision of the School of Education and the work of its faculty, students, staff and alumni — make her the ideal choice for charting the course for the school’s next chapter,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Joseph McCarthy in a May 6 announcement.

Zamani-Gallaher earned her doctorate in educational organization and leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Education, where she was a professor and the director of the Office for Community College Research and Leadership. Additionally, she served as associate head of Illinois’ Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership and as associate dean of its Graduate College.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Zamani-Gallaher holds leadership positions in several professional organizations, such as the executive director of the Council for the Study of Community Colleges and the president-elect of the Association for the Study of Higher Education.

She’s also a member of the Community College Review Editorial Board, an advisory board member for the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and a committee member with the Black Learner Excellence Expert Advisory Committee. 

— Donovan Harrell

Preston Moore, a Pittsburgh-area Realtor®, was installed as the 101st president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® during a ceremony last night in Harrisburg. Moore, a Realtor® for more than 20 years, is the first Black member to serve as president of the more than 100-year-old organization.

Moore, a sales associate with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Hampton Township office, was sworn into office by Annie Hanna Cestra, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Hanna Cestra also serves on the State Real Estate Commission.

Moore talked about why representation matters during his installation speech, urging members to make connections with multicultural organizations. “Representation matters because it encourages others to aspire and to dream about serving our organization, our institutions and our country. I urge you to look for ways to help bridge the gap in homeownership, learn more about the multicultural organizations, get more involved in your local and state associations and encourage others to join the real estate profession,” he said.

A member of the Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, Moore served as president of the association and was named RAMP’s Realtor® of the Year in 2016. He was previously a PAR District 10 vice president and has been a member of the Diversity, Horizons, Finance and Standard Forms committees.

Moore began his professional career in public accounting, banking and finance. He also owns rental properties in Pittsburgh. Additionally, he has worked with and served on the Landlord Advisory Council for the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. Moore is a volunteer with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Ring Day, the Light of Life Rescue Mission and the Daily Bread feeding program.

A graduate of Purdue University, Moore received a bachelor’s degree in economics, and he holds an MBA in accounting/finance from the University of Pittsburgh.

PAR’s 2023 President Al Perry was recognized for his service last year.

“2023 had its share of challenges that have rocked our industry to the core,” Perry said. “But as I look around this room, I am reminded of our incredible work ethic. I am reminded of our deep passion for what we do. I am reminded of the respect we have for each other. I am reminded of our spirit of cooperation. And I am reminded of our ability to learn and grow. I look forward to 2024 because I know the collective of strength of who we have here in this room fighting for our cause.”

Also during the ceremony, State Real Estate Commissioner Kyle Sampson installed the following PAR officers: President-elect Bill Lublin, Bucks County Association; First Vice President David Dean, RAMP; and Treasurer Eric Rehling, Tri-County Suburban Realtors®.

In addition, Sampson installed PAR’s district vice presidents: District 1, Stephanie Biello of the Greater Philadelphia Association; District 2, Vince Range of TCSR; District 3, Janet Tarity of the Bucks County Association; District 4, Alexa Sanchez of the Pocono Mountains Association; District 5, Sherrie Miller of the Greater Scranton Board; District 6, Glenn Yoder of the Lancaster County Association; District 7, Kevin Hodrick of the West Branch Valley Association; District 8, Louann Hoffman of the Allegheny Highland Association; District 9, Mark Kibbe of the Greater Erie Board; and District 10, Jim Jarrett of RAMP.

 The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) is proud to announce Dr. La Dawn Robinson as the new Pittsburgh Regional Director. Dr. Robinson's first day was Monday, January 8.

Prior to the role of Regional Director, Dr. Robinson devoted more than 20 years in the field of Human Resources where she served in multiple management roles and lead multiple HR functions, such as Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action, Talent Acquisition, and Employee Relations. She holds a Doctorate degree in Executive Leadership from the University of Charleston, a Master of Science degree in Professional Leadership from Carlow University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from West Virginia University. 

"We look forward to great things from Dr. Robinson as the Pittsburgh Regional Director," said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. "Dr. Robinson's strong experience of leadership will serve not only the Pittsburgh region but also the entire commonwealth. I am excited for what she will do in this role to bring justice to all those who are discriminated against."

"I am excited to join the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission," said Dr. Robinson. "It is a heavy responsibility bestowed on this commission and I look forward to working every day to ensure that the rights of all Pennsylvania citizens are being respected and protected. More specifically, this role will allow me to continue my passion for equal employment opportunity in the workplace."

PHRC is the state's leading civil rights enforcement agency. The Pittsburgh Regional Office serves 23 counties in the commonwealth.  Dr. Robinson's role is to manage the daily operations of the office, direct the investigative work of the staff, as well as to conduct outreach and training for the communities in which the office serves. Dr. Robinson is the first woman to serve as the Pittsburgh Regional Director in its 68 years of existence. More Information and resources about the PHRC are available at www.PHRC.pa.gov. 

Ray Roundtree has been named Senior Vice President of Comcast's Keystone Region, overseeing the organization's operational, strategic and financial performance across areas serving western, central and northeastern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and the Maryland panhandle. The Region is headquartered in Pittsburgh, where Roundtree is based.

"With his industry expertise and broad experience running major markets, Ray will be a great leader for the Keystone Region," said Amy Lynch, President of Comcast's Northeast Division, which includes 14 northeastern states from Maine through Virginia and the District of Columbia. "I know Ray will be successful in continuing to deliver our innovative products and services to area homes and businesses--keeping them connected to what matters most."

Roundtree joined Comcast in 2000 as Director of Business Operations for Chester and Lancaster counties and has since served in several financial management leadership roles at Comcast during his 22 years at the company. He most recently served as Vice President of Finance for Comcast's Beltway Region, which is based in Baltimore.

"I'm thrilled to come back to Comcast's Keystone Region to lead a team that's creating awesome experiences for our customers and employees," said Roundtree. "My family and I are grateful to be able to continue my career journey in a part of the country where we have deep roots."

Roundtree holds a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from Penn State University where he was a wide receiver for the 1986 national championship Nittany Lions.

After an extensive national search process, Andrew Medlar, President & Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, announced the appointment of Deborah J. Rogers, Ph.D. as the Library’s first Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA). In this newly formed senior level position, Dr. Rogers will be responsible for the development, implementation and management of strategies to align library services, programs, practices and policies with the 127-year institution’s stated mission, values and IDEA principles. In addition, she will collaborate with library departments to improve system-wide efforts in staff recruiting and retention, marketing campaigns and public service programs.

More than 100 applicants from 17 states were considered for the position. Dr. Rogers will officially join the organization on February 20, 2023.     

“Deborah’s roots as a dynamic leader in efforts toward inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) are right here in Pittsburgh,” said Medlar. “As a proud graduate of PPS’ former Schenley High School she is no stranger to our Main Library in Oakland. We are delighted to welcome her home and very fortunate to have an educator of her caliber join our team. I’m looking forward to working with Deborah as we work toward our next strategic plan.” 

Medlar continued, “IDEA principles are core to the mission and values of the Library and have been integral in our work across the organization for many years. To remove systemic barriers to literacy and learning, we are committed to changing how historic and current structures of racism and marginalization directly affect our mission and organizational culture. For the past five years we have intentionally built an internal framework that contains a dedicated Board of Trustee IDEA Committee, staff-led Affinity Groups, as well as a staff EDI Committee to support this important work.”    

Dr. Rogers is the current co-chair for the Women of Color, Scholarship, Teaching and Activism Unit of the American Academy of Religion. Prior to her appointment at CLP, she served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Theology, Culture and Practice of Ministry at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) in Rochester, NY. During her career, Dr. Rogers also served in various positions at Lane College, a Historically Black College located in Jackson, TN, including Vice President for Academic Affairs; Division Chair; Assistant Professor of Religion; Director of Lane Institute; and Assistant Chaplain. She also led efforts to develop a 2.5-acre urban farm. As the inaugural director of Lane Institute, Dr. Rogers led institution-wide initiatives to equip students, faculty, staff and administrators to utilize trauma-informed approaches to student support services and peer leadership. This included the development of a “Make it Write” program which provided students with healing-centered modalities for processing emotions through creative writing.  

Dr. Rogers earned a Ph.D. in Theology and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary, an M.A.T. from Fuller Seminary and a B.S. in Mathematics from Howard University. Her current research and writing interests include literacy, literary theory and embodied discourse; creativity, play and leadership development; black feminist and womanist thought; and food justice.  

“As a Pittsburgher at heart I’m excited by this opportunity to return to my home town to expand upon the Library’s IDEA work,” said Dr. Rogers. “I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with staff, other nonprofits and our community to advance CLP’s role as an anchor institution.”

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh announced today  (6-2-2022) that Gina Winstead will be joining the organization on July 1 as Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA). As a member of Carnegie Museums’ executive leadership, Winstead will be a highly visible leader working with colleagues across the institution to embed equity into its operations, culture, and programming. 

“With her knowledge of the field, her collaborative style, her strong commitment to change, and her deep roots in Pittsburgh, I have no doubt that Gina Winstead is the ideal person to serve as our inaugural Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility,” said Steven Knapp, President and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. “I am grateful to the staff who make up our IDEA Council for recommending the creation of this position, and I look forward to the progress I know we will make with the benefit of Gina’s thoughtful and inspirational guidance.”

Winstead comes to Carnegie Museums from Vibrant Pittsburgh, a regional thought leader in workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion, where she served as Assistant Vice President of Membership Development & External Relations, responsible for collaborating with 150 members and community partners on equity and diversity best practices. Prior to that, she worked for the Pittsburgh Technology Council as Director of Member Engagement and its first-ever Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Winstead has also worked part-time as a vice president with Women in Tech PGH, a group that partners with organizations to remove barriers for women to succeed in the technology industry.  

“I am excited to work with my colleagues at Carnegie Museums and our many partners in the community to move our IDEA initiatives forward,” Winstead said. “The future of Carnegie Museums belongs to everyone, and I look forward to playing a role in its efforts to attract, retain, and elevate diverse employees and ensure that all people see themselves reflected in the museums’ programming.

“I think the world should be better connected to all of the resources Carnegie Museums has to offer, most notably its people,” Winstead added. “I’m eager to help open doors and create greater access for those that have felt underestimated or underrepresented.”

Among her volunteer roles, Winstead serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and she was a founding board member of the 412 Black Jewish Collaborative and a member of the Allegheny Conference’s Talent Committee. She attended Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business Executive Leadership and Negotiation Academy, is a graduate of the EDGE Women’s Leadership program, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on Social Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Carnegie Museums’ search for a Vice President for IDEA was led in partnership with Koya Partners, the executive search firm with an exclusive focus on recruiting senior leaders to mission-driven roles.

  PNC Bank today announces that Gina Coleman will lead the bank’s diversity and inclusion efforts as Chief Diversity Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2022. She succeeds Marsha Jones, who has successfully led PNC’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts for the past decade, and who is retiring.

As Chief Diversity Officer, Coleman will help to develop strategies and programs that allow PNC to build and sustain a talented, diverse workforce, and further a culture of inclusion at PNC. She will also co-chair the PNC Corporate Diversity Council with William S. Demchak, PNC chairman, president and chief executive officer, to focus on embedding inclusion into every aspect of the organization. 

“PNC has long embraced diversity and inclusion as core values, and we are excited to have Gina in this role to be a partner in developing strategies that allow us to recruit, retain and advance diverse talent at PNC,” said Demchak. “Gina will also help to ensure that PNC continues our commitment to growing an increasingly diverse customer base by supporting business initiatives geared toward understanding the unique financial needs of our customers and the communities where our employees live and work.”

Coleman has previously held roles within PNC, most recently as the Client and Community Relations director in the regional president’s office for the Detroit market. In that role, she was responsible for managing PNC’s local PNC Foundation giving, corporate initiatives; marketing, client relations, and community outreach. She also has held roles within PNC’s Workplace Banking, Community Development Banking and Wealth Management. Coleman rejoined PNC in Aug. 2021 after serving as chief sales officer for MassMutual Great Lakes, where she led the new advisor sales teams, including a female financial services group, recruiting, strategic sales, and partnerships.

In 2018, Coleman was recognized as a PNC Performance Award winner, the highest employee recognition honor. Within PNC, Coleman is widely respected for her commitment to leading financial education efforts, building market and community partnerships, and driving engagement in PNC’s market-level diversity and inclusion initiatives. This includes serving as a PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocate and a founding member of PNC’s Women Connect Employee Business Resource Group. 

“It is a privilege to lead PNC’s diversity and inclusion efforts, particularly at this important moment in time,” said Coleman. “I do not take this responsibility lightly and understand that I am fortunate to be building on the foundation laid by Marsha Jones. She has led PNC through an inspiring D&I journey from inception of this role to present day. My vision is to move PNC’s efforts forward, with clear objectives and increased transparency that assess the impact of our D&I strategy on our colleagues, customers, community members, and shareholders. I am excited about the journey ahead.”

“As a long-time D&I champion and change-agent, Gina is the right person to receive this leadership baton from Marsha,” said Richard Bynum, PNC chief corporate responsibility officer. “Gina is committed to bringing her passion for people, her personal, entrepreneurial and business experience, and ‘drive for impact’ to this transformational role.”

Coleman currently serves as board chair for Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, and a board member with Beyond Basics, Detroit Public Schools Foundation, and Inforum Michigan. She is a member of the Greater Wayne County Chapter, The Links, Inc. Coleman graduated from Montclair State University in 1991 and is a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class of XXXVI.

Source: PNC

After a comprehensive national search, Wanda Heading-Grant has been selected as Carnegie Mellon University's inaugural vice provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and chief diversity officer. Heading-Grant, who is currently vice president for DEI at the University of Vermont, will begin her new role at Carnegie Mellon on April 1. She will also hold a faculty appointment as Distinguished Service Professor in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

During her 30-year tenure at the University of Vermont, Heading-Grant has advised senior leadership on essential policies, programs and strategies to achieve inclusive excellence while ensuring every member of the university community received the support necessary to thrive. She established programs and policies fundamental to the advancement of DEI, including tools to enhance and innovate employee performance and professional development opportunities.

Heading-Grant has been widely recognized for her dedication to social justice issues, her sponsorship of women leaders in higher education and her strong leadership that promotes well-being in the workplace and in the classroom.

Carnegie Mellon first committed in 2019 to establish a new vice provost position to lead a university-wide office dedicated to providing accountability, leadership and resources for DEI initiatives. In July 2020, CMU President Farnam Jahanian furthered this commitment as part of numerous actions in the university's official pledge to Confront Racism and Promote Equity and Inclusion.

“Bringing about a more diverse, inclusive and equitable future for Carnegie Mellon University requires sustained engagement from every member of this community and the commitment of university leadership at every level,” said Jahanian. “As a well-respected advocate and leader in higher education, Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant is a critical addition to the university leadership team and an invaluable asset to our community during this important journey. I look forward to relying on her significant expertise as we work towards ensuring all students, faculty and staff can find a sense of belonging at CMU and feel pride in our institution’s role in promoting a more equitable world.”

"The vice provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plays an integral role in promoting inclusivity and diversity, challenging the status quo and maintaining a robust dialogue centered around anti-racist practices and the research that supports it," said Carnegie Mellon Provost James H. Garrett Jr. "With a wealth of experience both professionally and with non-profit organizations and civil rights advisory committees, I am confident Dr. Heading-Grant will provide the strong leadership necessary to enact real and lasting changes in how CMU addresses racism, classism, sexism and the language of othering."

As the university's chief diversity officer, Heading-Grant will be instrumental in long-range DEI planning and implementation. This includes coordinating with each of the academic and administrative units in overseeing their five-year strategic DEI plans and college-based commitments. She also will oversee the Office of Title IX Initiatives and jointly oversee the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion with the Division of Student Affairs.

"What most attracted me to this role was Carnegie Mellon's willingness to identify the many isms that plague our society and name the echoes of oppression and privilege that still exists in our communities," Heading-Grant said. "There aren't many institutions of higher education that take this important first step of committing to the eradication and dismantling of racism. Throughout the search process it was clear to me that CMU had something quite special — an earnest charge to tackle and combat racism combined with a real desire to take their commitments to the next level through concrete action."

The creation of the new vice provost role came after months of educational preparation and listening, both within the university administration and across the broader campus community.

"Carnegie Mellon is so very fortunate to have attracted Dr. Heading-Grant to serve as its inaugural vice provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," said Linda Babcock, Social and Decisions Sciences Department head and James M. Walton Professor in Economics in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, who served as co-chair of the vice provost search committee. "Her vast experience leading change in the academy, her passion for and commitment to creating an anti-racist culture, and her ability to build trust and develop strong relationships among a diverse set of stakeholders make her an ideal choice for this important new role at CMU."

"In addition to Dr. Heading-Grant's extensive leadership experience, her support for and hands on approach to professional development in support of social justice goals, and her successful efforts to create bridges to communities external to the university greatly impressed the committee members and the community members who interviewed her, affirming her exemplary qualifications for our inaugural VP-DEI position," said fellow search committee co-chair Eric Anderson, associate professor in the School of Design and senior associate dean of the College of Fine Arts.

"Throughout the search process it was clear to me that CMU had something quite special — an earnest charge to tackle and combat racism combined with a real desire to take their commitments to the next level through concrete action." — Wanda Heading-Grant

"Dr. Heading-Grant is a highly regarded influencer and transformative leader for inclusive excellence and understands the importance of intersectionality in student engagement and has a legacy of uplifting student voices," said M. Shernell Smith, associate dean and executive director of the CMU Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. "She stood out in the selection process as a trusted, highly visible and transparent leader who traverses the campus community with a lens focused on equity and collaborative learning. She models restorative justice practices in her daily interactions at the University of Vermont and I am very excited to see how our Carnegie Mellon DEI values will be realized under her leadership."

Shawn Blanton, the Trustee Professor of Electrical and Computing Engineering, has served as interim vice provost since September 2020. He will return to his role as a full-time faculty member in the College of Engineering this coming summer.

"We are grateful to professor Blanton for his willingness to serve in this interim role," Garrett said. "Shawn oversaw the expansion of our GEM fellowship program to meet the unique needs of underrepresented professional master's and doctoral students in all seven colleges and schools at the university. In addition, his focus on expansion of CMU's local community engagement provides a solid foundation for ongoing efforts to attract and retain underrepresented students from the Pittsburgh area as undergraduates."

"I also want to thank the search committee — and especially Eric, Linda and Associate Provost Becky Culyba who served as co-chairs — for their outstanding efforts throughout the process," Garrett added. "The committee's exceptional guidance and vision have allowed us to welcome the ideal leader for our new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion."

Carnegie Mellon University is committed to the principle of equity as a partner to excellence as the foundation for ensuring that faculty, staff and students have the opportunity to succeed and to thrive at the university. To nurture and sustain this commitment, Carnegie Mellon strives to be a diverse community that reflects the gender, racial, ethnic and other demographic profiles of its regional, national and global constituencies. 

Source: CMU

K&L Gates Attorney Aims to Develop Sense of ‘Belonging’ in ACBA

– Pittsburgh-area attorney Regina Wilson will officially become the 116th President of the 5,500-member Allegheny County Bar Association on Monday, July 1. Her one-year term will end on June 30, 2025. She is the 12th woman – and just the third African-American woman – to hold the position.

“The Allegheny County Bar Association is a home for me,” Wilson said. “I have been very involved with the ACBA in many capacities throughout my legal career. To now be in a position as President to give back to the organization that has meant so much to me is both exciting and humbling.”

Wilson is a Senior Conflicts Risk Assessment Lawyer in the Office of the General Counsel at K&L Gates. In this position, she assesses legal risk and provides recommendations to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with firm-wide policies and procedures. She counsels lawyers in 48 worldwide offices on legal conflicts of interest issues, strategies and related business objectives of the firm. Wilson replaces Marla Presley, who completes her term on June 30.

“Regina has long been a tremendous asset for the ACBA and the entire legal profession in the Pittsburgh region,” said Presley. “She is going to excel as ACBA President. I’m proud to have Regina succeed me in this role, and I think I speak for everyone at the ACBA when I say that I’m excited about what’s ahead.”

Wilson said that nurturing a sense of “belonging” within the ACBA is her primary goal as president.

“The ACBA is the bar association for all of our members,” she said. “I want all of our members to not only feelwelcome at the ACBA, but to feel they belong. I really want to focus on the five pillars of belonging: feeling welcomed, known, included, supported and connected. That’s why I’m calling on all of my fellow members to commit to being welcoming, getting to know their fellow members as individuals, being inclusive and providing support and connection, both professionally and personally.”

Increasing diversity within the Pittsburgh Legal Community and connecting the bar association and its members with the community are among Wilson’s other goals for her presidential term.

About Regina Wilson

Wilson grew up in the Wilkinsburg and Penn Hills communities and attended the Ellis School in Shadyside. She currently lives in downtown Pittsburgh.

She graduated from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and French, and a minor in Economics. She then attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, earning her juris doctorate in 2007. She also holds a Diploma of French Studies from L’Université Rennes 2 in France.

Wilson joined K&L Gates in 2011 the second largest law firm in Pittsburgh. She previously worked in the School and Municipal Law Practice group at Goehring Rutter & Boehm; she also served as a senior hearing committee member for District IV of the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board.

Throughout her legal career, Wilson has been involved in numerous aspects of the ACBA. She served as the President of the former Homer S. Brown Law Association and led that organization’s transition into becoming the Homer S Brown Division of the ACBA. Ten years later, she again served as chair of the Homer S. Brown Division. She received the inaugural Homer S. Brown Division Young Leader Award.

Wilson also held key roles on the ACBA Board of Governors, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee and co-chaired the inaugural ACBA Ally Initiative cohort.

She also has held numerous leadership roles in the ACBA Young Lawyers Division, including serving as YLD Chair and as council member. She also chaired the ACBA Bar Leadership Committee, co-chaired the YLD Diversity Committee and the Children’s Holiday Party, and she served as a member of the YLD Public Service Committee. In 2018, she was named the ACBA’s Outstanding Young Lawyer.

Throughout her legal career, Wilson has been significantly involved with the Allegheny County Bar Foundation, where she has served on the Fellows Committee and the Attorneys Against Hunger Committee.

Wilson is the daughter of Dr. Roslynne Wilson and E. Clair Wilson. In her free time, she’s an avid reader, often reading five books at a time. She’s a member of the Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh.

Additional New Officers: In addition to Wilson serving as President, the Allegheny County Bar Association also announced the following officers for 2024-25: Amy Coco will serve as President-Elect; Joseph Froetschel will serve as Secretary; and Jesse Exilus will serve as Treasurer.

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About the ACBA

Chartered in 1870 and headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Bar Association is a professional organization with more than 5,200 member attorneys, judges, district justices, legal administrators and paralegals.