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Peace Corps to Host Returned Volunteers Leading US Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts at May Thought Leader Forum
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, the Peace Corps will hold its second virtual Thought Leader Forum, focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The event is part of a series that brings together returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) who are influencers in various industries. This month’s event will feature three panelists who have successfully integrated DEI work into their chosen fields. Their collective experience spans the fields of higher education, workforce training, writing, and psychology, as well as organizational, cultural, and leadership consulting.
“This Thought Leader Series will explore one of the most critical topics in our world today.” said Carol Spahn, Acting Director of the Peace Corps. “We know that Peace Corps volunteers have not only experienced but also lived at the intersection of diversity, equity and inclusion in their work overseas and many are at the forefront of this work in the United States.”
May’s event panelists are Dr. Anthony L. Pinder, inaugural vice provost for internationalization and equity at Emerson College; Hermence Matsotsa, founder and CEO of uBuntuSpeaks, a professional development, DEI, organizational, cultural and leadership consulting firm; and Dr. Huong Diep, psychologist, author and international consultant. Panelists will discuss how their Peace Corps service informed and influenced their career choices and how the knowledge, skills, and abilities they gained through service have helped them make a positive impact in the United States.
The Peace Corps will also provide an update on the agency’s intercultural competence, diversity, equity and inclusion work.
This event is part of Peace Corps’ ongoing 60th anniversary celebration. In March 2021, the Peace Corps hosted a virtual Thought Leader Series on Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility. Those interested in attending the May event can register here. There is no deadline to register, but there will be a 500-person capacity limit. For full panelist bios, please email [email protected].
About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, the environment and youth development. Through their Peace Corps experience, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
