The Power of Diversity and Inclusion Award will be presented for the first time at the 2020 Summit Awards Dinner on September 30. The award is part of new D+I category within The Power of A Awards.
“Developing a D+I award for organizations to illustrate the importance of D+I in the association community is important. The D+I committee included it in the strategic plan and we’re pleased its now coming to fruition,” said Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, CAE, Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and Executive Director of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. “D+I initiatives and programs have become a driving force across associations and now is the right time to introduce an award that shines a bright light on the work the community is doing.”
The Power of A Awards program ensures that the full range of activities and initiatives associations undertake to benefit society as a whole as well as the professions and industries they represent are recognized and awarded.
Along with adding The Power of Diversity and Inclusion award category, all Power of A award categories are now under review. “Through the Power of A Awards, ASAE has long recognized the extraordinary efforts of associations to train the workforce, spark innovative solutions to problems and make the world a better place,” said Sharon Swan, FASAE, CAE, CEO of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics and chair of ASAE’s Power of A Awards Judging Committee. “As we periodically review the award categories and make changes for the future, it’s important that we are able to recognize organizations that value and promote diversity and inclusive practices.”
“D+I fluency is essential to organizational health and success. Associations’ ability to create supportive environments and serve multi-racial, multi-ethnic, generationally diverse members and staff will define their success today and well into the future. There is no better time for the association community to recognize and celebrate this commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Susan Robertson, CAE, Interim ASAE President and CEO.
Additional details about the award will be shared in the coming weeks.