As the DEI leader at the firm, I help develop and guide the firm’s various diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies affecting our talent, our clients, and how we show up in our communities. I’m passionate about how we, collectively, can be more intentional about our goal to make the firm more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Prior to joining Plante Moran, I worked in banking where I started in bank operations and then, most recently, was VP of business development. My responsibilities evolved from supporting and participating in employee resource groups to designing, leading, and managing organization-wide strategies and programs to recruit and retain diverse talent, while partnering with the bank’s executive team to make meaningful changes across the company.
When I was a one-year-old, my family and I immigrated to the United States from the Tigray region of Ethiopia as refugees. Ever since, I’ve committed myself to supporting marginalized people and helping them achieve their highest potential. In June of 2023, I received a diversity, equity, and inclusion award from the Denver Business Journal. This award honors the businesses and leaders throughout the Denver area who are embracing equality in their workplace across all areas of diversity, including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, and religion. I am one of 10 leaders to receive this award in 2023.
I have a B.A. in communications with an emphasis on business and ethnic studies from the University of Colorado, and I hold a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. Recently, I cofounded a nonprofit called Tigray Action Committee that’s committed to bringing awareness and action to the #TigrayGenocide (for which I've been featured in Forbes), and I also serve on the board of the Emily Griffith Foundation. I am a proud mother to two beautiful sons, Alex and Theo.
