Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Corus International
As a values-driven organization working to eliminate poverty and suffering throughout the world, people are at the heart of Corus International. We recognize that racism, prejudice and intolerance are societal diseases that stand in the way of all of us reaching our full potential, as individuals and communities.
At Corus, we believe our unrelenting commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our worldwide workplace will bring about:
- thriving communities,
- an inspiring reputation,
- unequivocal trust with staff, stakeholders, and project participants, and
- significant progress in social justice.
We know people are our greatest strength and we will continuously strive to be an organization that values people, respecting the individual experiences and unique talents of each employee, stakeholder and project participant.
We also celebrate the harmony of the collective parts gathered under the Corus umbrella. We will continuously work to create a universal culture that embraces everyone while striving toward visible and significant progress in attaining universal social justice.
Just as our pursuit to eliminate poverty and suffering will never end, neither will our pursuit of diversity, equity and inclusion. Together, the people of Corus will exemplify what it means to love one another as neighbors.
Corus International Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Definitions
The following outlines how Corus International defines diversity, equity and inclusion. These definitions are what guide our DEI effort; however, they are subject to change as we learn, listen and work.
Diversity: We define diversity as the representation of all our varied identities and differences collectively and as individuals (race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, tribe, caste, politics, socio-economic status, thinking and communication styles, etc.). We proactively seek to recruit, engage, understand, value and draw on a variety of perspectives. With diversity as our most powerful tool, we rely on the varied experiences of our staff, stakeholders and project participants to best realize innovative and creative solutions to achieve our vision.
Equity: We believe that creating a fair and impartial environment requires collegiality, respect and dignity. At best, we seek to create an organizational culture that continuously implements practices and policies that result in fair treatment, access to opportunities and resources for all. We acknowledge that equity is an active, ongoing process that involves constant evaluation. We are committed to ensuring that we provide our staff, stakeholders, and those we serve with the resources they need to succeed.
Inclusion: Our goal is to create an inclusive environment that allows for staff, stakeholders and project participants to have the physical and psychological safety to bring their authentic selves to our work every single day. We welcome inclusive practices that encourage every staff member to express themselves comfortably, without fear or reservation. We also constantly challenge ourselves to create a culture that ensures our staff value and embrace diversity, yet also embrace individuality as a cause for celebration.
Our Diversity Equity and Inclusion Goals
In pursuit of our vision for a diverse, equitable and inclusive Corus International, we have set the following organizational goals:
- Increase diversity, especially among leadership, within the Corus family board, staff, stakeholders and project participants.
- Create a universal, inclusive culture that promotes equitable practices and in which staff treat each other equally.
- Acknowledge and dismantle inequities within our policies, systems and programs, and continually update and report organizational progress.
We look forward to holding ourselves accountable to these goals and reporting our progress. If you have any questions about our DEI work, please contact our Chief People & Diversity Officer, Eveline Tavares, or Director of People, Diversity and Culture, Teuta Bucaj.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Focus Areas
Our organizational diversity, equity and inclusion initiative has six focus areas. These areas are coordinated and managed by sub-committees made up of members of the DEI Advisory Committee and chaired by members of the DEI Task Force. Our focus area groups and their sub-goals are:
- Staff Care
- Community Engagement
- Education
- Recruitment
- Culture
- Evaluation
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force
With the full support of Corus International's board of directors and leadership, ongoing DEI work is led by a cross-departmental DEI Task Force and a larger DEI Staff Advisory Committee with global staff representation.
The role of our DEI Task Force is to coordinate the organization-wide diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for Corus International and ensure progression toward the organizational DEI goals, as well as to communicate with staff and other stakeholders. The Task Force is responsible for the creation and implementation of the organization’s DEI strategy by defining shared goals, assigning clear roles, setting milestones, and ensuring there are open lines of communication between the group and the wider organization.
The role of our DEI Staff Advisory Committee is to represent the wider staff of Corus by giving input to DEI vision and goals. This group is comprised of a broad range of talented individuals located throughout the global staff enterprise, who bring unique cultural perspectives to the DEI effort. These members actively participate in one of the DEI focus area groups to coordinate, plan and execute diversity, equity and inclusion activities that contribute to Corus International’s DEI vision and goals.
DEI Task Force Members
Teuta Bucaj, Director, People, Diversity & Culture (Task Force Chairwoman)
Carolyn Barker-Villena, Senior Regional Director, Latin America (Education Sub-Committee Co-facilitator)
Vanessa Dessieu Jean-Bart, Manager, Business Development (Recruitment Sub-Committee Co-facilitator)
Jane Hiram, Associate, Staff Accountant (Staff Care Sub-Committee Co-facilitator)
Nikki Massie, Deputy Director, Digital Marketing (Evaluation Sub-Committee Facilitator)
Sean Murphy, Deputy Director, Operations (Education Sub-Committee Co-facilitator)
Edward Mutuma, Executive Coordinator to the Chief Financial Officer (Culture Sub-Committee Facilitator)
Shelly Talcott, Senior Director, Transition & Special Initiatives (Staff Care Sub-Committee Co-facilitator)
Brittany Virgil, Associate, Human Resources (Recruitment Sub-Committee facilitator)
Roselle Agner, Senior Technical Advisor for Gender
DEI Staff Advisory Committee Members
Ali Diawara, International Programs
Alisha Neupane, Finance & Administration
Brian Blonder, Business Development
Bethany Craig, President's Office
Caldwell Bishop, Business Development
Charles Guy Makongo, International Programs
Coleen Southwell, External Relations and Engagement
Danielle Hodges, Human Resources
Devynn Birx-Raybuck, Business Development
Dr Justin Sadiki, Ebola response, Nord Kivu, Goma, DRC
Emily Sollie, President's Office
Emma Edwards, International Programs
Emma Wagner, External Relations and Engagement
Eric Schaeffer, Finance & Administration
Evin McFadden, International Programs
Ezekiel Mulowayi, International Programs
Hamid Mansaray, International Programs
Holli Jordan, Business Development
Issa Osorio, Operations
Jacques A. Hlaibi, International Programs
Jimmy KASONGO Grants, Contracts and Compliance
Jorge Huapaya, International Programs- Peru
Justin Sadiki, International Programs - DRC
Kat Fiske, External Relations and Engagement
Kenneth Barigye, Impact Investing
Kenyi Chaplain Elisa, Operations
Latifa Mkwawa, Operations -Uganda
Liliana Ramos, International Development- Colombia
Lindsey Scheid, External Relations and Engagement
Logan Noonan, International Programs
Moses Kabogo, International Programs- Tanzania
Melanie Gibbons, External Relations and Engagement
Melanie Marable, Operations
Melissa Stewart, Human Resources
Michael Johnson, External Relations and Engagement
Corneille Muboyayi, Finance & Administration
Nadia Leveque, International Programs
Nicole Hark, Programs
Paul R Miller, International Programs
Ramu Bishwakarma, Quality, Impact & Learning
Rick Peyser, International Programs
Ryan Schear, International Finance
Sarah Kretschmann, External Relations and Engagement
Shannon Murphy, External Relations and Engagement
Suzanne Lawrence, External Relations and Engagement
Thelmany Khieu, Grants, Contracts and Compliance
Theresa Haenn, External Relations and Engagement
Verhoustraeten Prince, Operations
Wendi Bevins, Quality, Impact & Learning