09/20/2021

Five Keys to Starting a Successful DE&I Program

Build diversity into the strategic plan and spotlight it

In 2017, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) decided to make a deeper investment in its DE&I efforts. It hired a director of recruitment and diversity, and it committed to increasing diversity within its membership and across its volunteer groups, including the board.

"It was really apparent to us that our board was not reflecting our membership," said Cindy Ziegler, AACP's associate director of governance and executive office operations.

In the four years since then—and especially since the nationwide conversation about race that came to the fore last summer—AACP has learned a lot about what makes for a meaningful ongoing DE&I effort. (Internally, AACP uses the term DEIA—for diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.) Though it's a work in progress, Ziegler shared five keys that have helped AACP along the way.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.