Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (DEDI) Council - Division of Finance and Administration

Upholding the values of respect, equity, diversity and inclusion

In the DFA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected because of their differences – a place where every employee can be their authentic selves so that they can reach their potential and help the division and the University achieve its goals.

Learn more about DEDI in the DFA

We aspire to be a welcoming and inclusive division that prizes respect, collaboration, equity and diversity as a collective responsibility which can only be achieved through commitment and support from each other.

The DEDI Council has embarked on a conversation series as part of the People of DFA; Embracing EDI in DFA, in which colleagues share their stories and their lived experiences. We get the unique opportunity to learn about our DFA family and how they have been shaped by life’s journey. Listen to those conversations here.

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Annette Boodram	Director, Policy and Program Development
Amal Awini	Director, Housing & Conference Services
Birru (Temesgen) Tesfu	Parking Enforcement Officer
Christine Caponi	Assistant Construction Project Manager
Dexter King	Director, Strategic Procurement Services
Dragan Spasojevic	Manager, Community Relations and Crime Prevention
Jayne Rop	Senior Advisor, Budgets & Asset Management
Kalpana Bilimoria	Employee Records Coordinator
Kelly Christine Young	Interim Operations Manager
Louisa N. Zaffino	Executive Assistant, AVP Facilities Services
Marie Scime	Director, Communications
Patricia Gagliardi-Ursua	Executive Assistant, Ancillary Services
Stewart Evan Dankner	Director, Property Management, Facilities Services
Traci Xu	Executive Assistant, AVP University Services Centre

Assess the current state data, using organizational data, focus groups and surveys to understand the gaps and challenges to identify the DFA areas of focus. In progress
Determine a baseline measure from current state assessment of DFA – In progress
Review divisional unit policies, procedures and plans to ensure the use of equitable and inclusive language : In progress

Diane Hector (Team Leader)
Laurentia Deszpa
Dexter King
Annette Boodram

Review recruiting, retention, exit and succession planning practices for the division
- Research recruitment ‘best practices’ related to DEDI
- Review DFA job ads, interview panels, and interview questions for inclusive and equitable language and hiring panels
- Advocate for staff/faculty/student awards that support DEDI
- Build DEDI goal setting into performance reviews for staff and leaders within the DFA
- Identify additional practices to pursue
- select Action Items from the various Frameworks (i.e., Indigenous, Black, DFA Senior Mgmt. ideas….) and move them forward (as appropriate).

Annette Boodram
Dexter King

Education and Awareness
Knowledge Sharing & Knowledge Transfer
- Develop an DEDI education and knowledge strategy to increase awareness and deepen understanding of inclusive and equitable behaviours and practices. Plan to include S.M.A.R.T goal and accountabilities
- In support of this objective an action plan will be developed for training across the division. Training sessions that are available at the University will be curated and made available to the division. Experiential knowledge transfer will be included e.g., story telling and learning from the lived experiences from our peers in the division and the wider York community.
Communications
- Establish a communication strategy to reflect DFA DEDI goals and approach in pursuit of an inclusive, respectful, collaborative and supportive division. While our strategy will align with York’s draft EDI Strategy It important to recognize that DFA as a division of ‘doers/enablers‘ and as such there will be some nuanced differences.
- In support of this objective, this team will consistently communicate and engage with the division on activities and progress of the Council and seek input/feedback from the division through all available channels including dfaedi@yorku.ca.

Dragan Spasojevic
Louisa N Zaffino
Elizabeth Wangui
Laurentia Deszpa