Indian Head, Maryland –
Congratulations to Shari Thomas, NSWC IHD Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Program manager, for receiving the National Diversity and Leadership Conference Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champions Award given by the National Diversity Council (NDC). The NDC is a resource and advocate for diversity and inclusion. The council serves as the umbrella organization to support the National Diversity and Leadership Conference’s statewide and regional affiliates, which promote an understanding of D&I as a dynamic strategy for business success and community well-being through various initiatives. The NDC is committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow in their knowledge of diversity and learn from some of the top corporate leaders in the area of diversity.
The National Diversity Awards distinguish individuals, organizations and businesses which advance diversity, exemplify leadership and demonstrate corporate responsibility in their respective workplace and communities. The DEI Champions Award honors professionals who are passionate about creating an impact in the field of D&I and continue to put diversity first through visionary leadership and commitment to fostering change. DEI is about much more than simple compliance; to succeed in today’s business world, enterprises must leverage diversity for strategic advantage and integrate DEI into all aspects of their operations.
As a recipient of this award, Thomas was acknowledged for her dedication and continuing commitment to advocating for DEI in the workplace. She fosters positive communication and actively promotes intergroup relations among diverse persons. She participates in a variety of command and community events that promote and contribute to diversity awareness. She displays the ability to value and respect diverse points of view and varied ways to approach issues and topics. She has led, and continues to lead, others by her actions while advocating for change. Last year Thomas presented the D&I Maturity Matrix Model to leadership, which outlines how the command moves from being “D&I Unaware” to “Sustainment.” Her expertise in this field and now national recognition is positioning NSWC IHD to be a leader in DEI within NAVSEA and the Warfare Centers.
The award was acknowledged during the virtual 2021 “Be A Changemaker” Diversity and Leadership Conference, April 28-29. The annual conference is the largest D&I conference in the United States, with over 3,500 in attendance. Information from the National Diversity and Leadership Conference website contributed to this article: http://nationaldiversityconference.com/2021/conference/training/#dei.