The day concluded with a four-person panel on “The Role of Accountability in the Journey Towards Equity,” moderated by Igbineweka. Panelists Monique Cooper, assistant vice provost for academic & career engagement and success at UMass Boston; Ralph Tavares, Jr., vice president for equity and inclusive excellence at Storbeck Search; Caroline Mailloux, senior director for DEI at Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.; and Courtney Utsey, director of people experience at Akari Therapeutics PLC, discussed their own experiences with accountability and its transformational impact in the workplace.
“Do not build the foundation of success on sand,” Tavares advised. “Find the organizations that have equity and inclusion built into their very mission.” Better yet, he added, find the organizations that have it built into their budgets.
And as you work to build an inclusive culture, Cooper said, “Go with the willing. Build your base—and then go after the holdouts.” She praised Igbineweka as “a trailblazer” for organizing the first-of-its-kind conference.
“The conference was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Suffolk’s leadership in the arena of career equity while learning and sharing new ideas and practices with colleagues from higher ed and industry alike,” said Dave Merry, associate provost and executive director of the Career Center. Igbineweka expressed her gratitude to all who supported the event, including campus partners and corporate sponsors like Liberty Mutual Insurance, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Arbella Insurance, and Andersen. Plans have already been announced to hold a second Career Equity Conference in 2024.
