The Howard Center in Burlington, a provider of mental-health, developmental-disability and substance-use services in Chittenden County, has hired Catarina Campbell as the agency's first director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Campbell joins the center from the University of Vermont's Women and Gender Equity Center, where they served as program and leadership coordinator.
A former director of the Pride Center of Vermont’s SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program, Campbell was selected from a group of finalists following a series of interviews and community forums with Howard Center leaders and staff.
“We formalized our DEI efforts several years ago, and our trustees recently added racial justice as a pillar of our strategic plan,” said Howard Center CEO Bob Bick. “Catarina’s hiring is the next step toward ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, equitable and diverse environment at Howard Center for our staff, the people we serve, our partners and the community.”
Campbell will lead Howard Center’s DEI team and agency efforts to increase awareness and support of DEI and racial justice values across the agency. “I have deep admiration and respect for each person who works at Howard Center; the work done here requires so much commitment and compassion. I am excited for us to co-create a community culture where all can belong and thrive,” they said.