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Welcome to IAEM's DEI initiative page. In early 2023, IAEM conducted a nationwide search to add independent resources to the Association to assess IAEM’s organizational processes and structure, and make recommendations including a prioritized compilation of recommended actions that will strengthen the weave of DEI in the fabric of the organization. Identification of smart practices from other professional associations can help IAEM improve how it delivers existing programs and services ensuring all can contribute to their full potential. Tasks identified include a Diversity Audit, Equity Assessment, and Inclusion Index.
During the month's of January and February, our DEI consultant shared Findings and Recommendations. There were sessions with IAEM leadership, including a special session with the chairs and vice chairs of committees, caucuses, and commissions to review the recommendations. A final public session shared the Findings and recommendations. The reports are shared below according to the consultant's recommendations.
Final Findings Report (Members-only)
GDEIB Index (Members-only)
IAEM Recommendations and Strategy Report
IAEM Recommendations and Strategy Readout Presentation, Feb. 2024 (Members-only)
Video of Final DEI Readout on Feb. 22 – DEI Assessment, Cumulative Review, Strategy and Recommendations (Members-only)
Members are invited to review the project cost and deliverables here.
IAEM-USA President Justin Kates, CEM, is hosted a Town Hall to provide IAEM members with an opportunity to share their voice and offer insights on how we can best take the DEI project to the next step. IAEM needs active participation and leadership from our members.
Thank you to all who particpated!
The consulting team provides monthly progress reports to the IAEM-USA Board of Directors. Follow our journey by reviewing the reports.
Farzana Nayani, Consulting & Training is a minority-owned and women-owned and certified consulting firm with over 20 years of experience driving transformational and lasting impact in organizations that work towards equity and inclusivity. The team, with consultants based across North America, have experience working with a global client base including corporations, public agencies, non-profit agencies, higher education institutions, and school districts of varying project sizes, scopes, and time commitments.
The Farzana Nayani, Consulting & Training team approach is anchored in prioritizing the quality and customization of deliverables to best meet the needs of the organization’s goals. The firm’s team values authentic conversations, practical strategies and recommendations, and an approach oriented in problem-solving that honors and builds upon current successes. They incorporate engaging and impactful ways to cultivate understanding and effective relations and leadership among a variety of individuals at the client organization. Their approach values genuine partnerships, and they are purposeful in cultivating humanizing, supportive, and reciprocal relationships with their partners and all participants of their programs.
Virtual DEI Spotlight Session Schedule for Dec. 6 (Nov. 22, 2023) IAEM members are invited to participate in a VIrtual DEI Spotlight Session at 1:30 p.m. EST, Dec. 6, 2023. Facilitated by the Farzana Nayani Consulting & Training Team with findings from the IAEM DEI Assessment, this session is critical in continuing the conversation about DEI in emergency management and at IAEM. Registrants are highly encouraged to watch the 30-minute DEI Spotlight Session Keynote from the 2023 Annual Conference to be prepared for meaningful conversation. Register for the Virtual Spotlight session before Dec. 5
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DEI Spotlight Session held in Long Beach (Nov. 7, 2023) The Farzana Nayani Consulting Team presented a Spotlight session titled "Leading with a DEI Mindset as Emergency Managers at IAEM" on Nov. 7. In our rapidly changing world, emergency managers are at the forefront of a range of crises. Adopting a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) mindset will help emergency managers serve the public with greater attention to the needs of various communities and groups. Download the PowerPoint Presentation. View the session video (members-only)
DEI Board Readouts held in October (Oct. 23, 2023) The Farzana Nayani Consulting Team provided Readout to the IAEM Board to review the findings from the DEI survey, focus groups, and listening sessions. Information will be shared with members during a Spotlight session at the Annual Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 8:00 a.m. PST, in the Long Beach Convention Center Grand Ballroom. A similar presentation will be presented virtually on Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m. EST.
IAEM-USA DEI survey closes with 785 responses (Sept. 13, 2023) The IAEM DEI Survey closed with 785 responses. The Farzana Nayani team has completed data analysis of the listening sessions and focus groups. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the survey is underway. A briefing will be led by the FN Team at the IAEM Annual Conference.
IAEM-USA DEI survey to launched on Aug. 25 (Aug. 25, 2023) IAEM-USA's DEI consulting firm launched a survey to IAEM-USA members, recent past members, recent conference attendees and individuals who are not members but are certified by IAEM. To accommodate for the Labor Day holiday and busy back-to-school schedules, the survey will close on Sept. 11, instead of only being open for the planned two weeks. The survey link came from the info@iaem.com email address to ensure that the link reaches all participants simultaneously. Responses to the survey will go directly to the consulting partners and NOT to anyone at IAEM. Thank you for responding honestly, knowing that your responses wiil remain confidential in this process.
IAEM-USA DEI survey to launch week of Aug. 21 (Aug. 21, 2023) IAEM-USA's DEI consulting firm, is issuing the survey to IAEM-USA members, recent past members, recent conference attendees and individuals who are not members but are certified by IAEM. The survey, scheduled to be released on Aug. 18, has been delayed due to some technical difficulties. Final testing has begun and the survey will be issued as soon as the testing is completed. To accommodate for the Labor Day holiday and busy back-to-school schedules, the survey will close on Sept. 11, instead of only being open for the planned two weeks. The survey link will come from the info@iaem.com email address to ensure that the link reaches all participants simultaneously. Responses to the survey will go directly to the consulting partners and NOT to anyone at IAEM. Thank you for responding honestly, knowing that your responses wiil remain confidential in this process.
IAEM-USA DEI initiative enters new phase (July 5, 2023) In April, IAEM-USA hired Farzana Nayani, Consulting and Training, as our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant. During the year-long engagement, they are conducting a thorough assessment of the state of DEI at IAEM-USA and will be making recommendations to increase engagement based on their findings. The first step in the process, Listening Sessions with IAEM members and former members, was completed at the end of June. Data from the Listening Sessions are being reviewed and will help structure some of the questions in the detailed survey that will be issued to all members in August. Also during July, our consultants will host a series of four Focus Groups to further explore topics discussed during listening sessions. The team has begun the audit of policies and procedures, including recent updates to the calls for commissioners for the IAEM Certification and Scholarship Programs. The DEI consultants will present in a plenary session at the IAEM Annual Conference and provide their findings from the Listening Sessions, Focus Groups, and Survey. A DEI Roadmap and Strategic Recommendations will be developed and provided to the organization in early 2024.
To provide feedback on DEI issues at IAEM, send an email to dei-feedback@iaem.com.