“The formation of the BCDI was a way for the Board of Trustees to institutionalize the work happening at the student, faculty, and parent levels within the Ellis community, and it formalizes the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels,” says Tomar. “The BDCI is one of several board committees and is made up of trustees representing Ellis’ alumnae and parent communities; the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and the Head of School, as well as the Chair of Ellisians for an Inclusive Community (EFIC), Ellis’ faculty and staff committee.”

The BCDI has undertaken three strategic principles to guide their work. First, the committee strives to support the work students, faculty, and staff currently have underway at the School. Second, the committee is meant to assist in putting infrastructure in place to support said work. Finally, the committee works to fuel the fluency and support of the broader Board of Trustees. The committee will act as advisors and ambassadors to support Ellis’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on campus and within the broader Pittsburgh community. 

“One of my favorite African proverbs is, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ It is imperative that we engage in DEI work in a collaborative and intentional manner,” shared Denise LaRosa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “The formation of the BCDI demonstrates our high level of commitment to DEI efforts, and I am thrilled to be on this journey with such dedicated individuals.”