National Promotes Amber Smith to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist
84 days ago, National publicly posted a strong statement acknowledging the racial injustice happening in the U.S. and supporting Black lives. Every single day since that statement, our country has seen continued acts of aggression, violence, and inequality. The conversation is not over. The need for action has not gone away.
We are fully committed to ensuring that our June 5th statement was more than a passing sentiment. We take our responsibility to continue the conversation seriously and hold ourselves accountable for constant growth and improvement.
National is delighted to announce the promotion of Amber Smith to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist! Although a formal Diversity and Inclusion Committee has been in place for years, leadership felt strongly that the time was right to establish dedicated focus and accountability to keep the diversity and inclusion conversation progressing forward.
“National is committed to creating a great place to work for everyone – including those with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and opinions. When we thought about who the right person might be to help us ensure that every employee feels included, that they belong, and that they matter, Amber was a natural fit. She embodies our core values every day, and we are thrilled to have her doing this critically important work,” said Misty Gregarek, Chief Talent Officer.
In her new role, Amber will help to cultivate a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employees. Working alongside Human Resources, Amber will help to craft fair company policies, implement inclusion programs, and ensure objective hiring procedures. She has already helped boost associates’ bias awareness and facilitate open and inclusive conversation by leading company-wide unconscious bias training.
Amber says, “As organizations and society become increasingly diverse, we need to develop a more sophisticated understanding of polarization, intersectionality, and the countless processes that interfere with capturing the value of what every individual can bring to the table for the continued growth of the organization.”
Congratulations, Amber! We are so proud that you’re a part of Team National and can’t wait to see what all you accomplish in this significant new role.