Durham Region appoints new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Whitby, Ontario – The Region of Durham is pleased to announce the appointment of Allison Hector-Alexander as the new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for The Regional Municipality of Durham. This role reports to the Chief Administrative Officer.

Hector-Alexander is a senior director, advocate, and policy professional who has worked in human rights, equity, anti-racism training, anti-discrimination/oppression, and accessibility organizations—within the not-for-profit and education sector—for more than 20 years.

Hector-Alexander joins the Region from Durham College, where she held the role of Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. In this position, Hector-Alexander had oversight of the college’s diversity and inclusion services; the Ontario Access and Inclusion program (RISE); the Sexual Violence mandate; the First People’s Indigenous Centre; and orientation and transitions programming for all new students.

A key part of her work was working with senior leadership to make changes to organizational culture; ensuring practices and systems were equitable and inclusive. A process that was enhanced by Hector-Alexander’s development and facilitation of a number of education/awareness sessions; and campaigns focusing on allyship, social justice, racism, consent and sexual violence.

Complementing Hector-Alexander’s impactful work experience, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Adult Education and Digital Technologies; in addition to a Master of Education degree with a focus on anti-oppressive practices, access, and equity in Higher Education.

Hector-Alexander will join the Region of Durham on March 15, 2021.

Quotes

“We are pleased to welcome Allison to lead our new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion division. Working across the organization and with the community, she will provide a dedicated focus to the establishment of an anti-racism task force; and help to strengthen our efforts to address systemic racism and promote community development. We are listening. We are learning. We need to broaden our knowledge to help achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce. Allison’s insights will help ensure that Regional policies and programs are designed to address systemic racism. And, we remain committed to making the real change that is needed to continue to combat anti-Black racism, and discrimination in all its forms.”

- Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer

“I am delighted to be joining the Region to lead this very important work. My goal is to engage both internal and external stakeholders to build an anti-racist and inclusive region. Diversity exists within all of us and we all have the ability to make real systemic change. Transformative change requires a shared responsibility. I am excited to be part of that journey."

- Allison Hector-Alexander, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Quick facts

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, Hector-Alexander will work across the organization to:

• Ensure Regional staff are appropriately equipped, structured and supported to affect change on systemic racism.
• Establish an Anti-Racism Task Force, with an initial focus on anti-Black racism. As a committee of Regional Council, this group will co-ordinate interdepartmental efforts to address systemic racism and promote community development.
• Provide a dedicated focus; enable staff to undertake broader community-facing activities; and provide co-ordination and structure to existing diversity, equity, inclusion and community development functions.
• Create clear accountabilities for both internal and external stakeholders; ensuring alignment when addressing racism, discrimination, prevention, identification and removal of barriers.
• Co-ordinate cultural competency training for staff and council members.
• Continually champion anti-racism initiatives: internally and within the community.
• Create an Equity and Inclusion Charter for Durham Region; work with community members to develop and deliver mutually beneficial strategies and solutions.

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For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.