The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named L’Tonya Davis as its first permanent Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO). The CDIO will oversee the implementation of USDA’s first-ever DEIA Strategic Plan and will lead USDA’s continuous efforts to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across the Department.
Ms Davis, as CDIO, will collaborate closely with senior leaders, employees, and staff experts to promote and sustain dedicated leadership and employee engagement for a high-performing and innovative USDA workforce. Our effort will necessitate an engaged staff that reflects our nation’s diversity and embodies USDA’s values across headquarters and field offices worldwide.
Ms Davis comes to USDA from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she most recently served as the director of the Office of Communications and Project Management in the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). Ms Davis was in charge of ORA’s strategic communications, public affairs, project management, and executive secretariat. She was also ORA’s official executive DEIA champion for ten years, providing senior executive leadership and strategic direction to develop and promote an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible culture and establishing ORA’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) infrastructure strategic targets.
Creating the first-ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer position has been a primary objective for Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Dr Jewel Bronaugh, who is leaving the department. Dr Bronaugh was the USDA’s first Black woman and woman of colour to hold the position of Deputy Secretary.
The DEIA Strategic Plan supplements USDA’s Civil Rights programmes, its work to advance the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, and its Equity Action Plan, which commits to high-impact actions to comprehensively integrate equity into USDA’s farm, family, and food programmes that touch every American’s life. Following a year-long study of USDA programmes and services, the USDA’s independent Equality Commission made interim recommendations to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in February.
Ms Davis will take over for Leslie Weldon, who was appointed interim CDIO in March 2022. Ms Weldon was essential in developing the DEIA Strategic Plan and launching this position after 40 years of directing different natural resource and work environment initiatives at the USDA’s Forest Service.
“Throughout her career, Ms. Davis has demonstrated a strong commitment to hiring and developing a workforce that reflects the rich and diverse tapestry of America and to creating workplaces where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “As part of our commitment to provide equitable services and mission delivery to all, USDA is also focused on its greatest asset – its people. USDA is working to provide equitable service and mission delivery to all, including the dedicated employees who are at the heart of the service we aim to provide. Our workforce will benefit from Ms. Davis’s leadership and her commitment to ensuring our programs benefit every American.”
“Ms. Davis will join a team of talented, hard-working USDA employees whose work touches the lives of every American, every day,” said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh. “With her proven track record of change management and adept leadership skills, Ms. Davis is well-equipped to steer the People’s Department on its continued journey to become an organization that centers our employees, our values, and our dedication to addressing persistent challenges and barriers towards bringing the best talent to USDA, retaining and investing in our workforce, and creating a culture where everyone feels welcomed.”
