For Immediate Release: 10/9/2024 3:55 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – City Manager Eric D. Batista announced Wednesday the appointment of Kevin Lovaincy as Chief Equity Officer effective Oct. 28.
Lovaincy comes to the City of Worcester with experience in both public and private Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work. He most recently served as the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Quinsigamond Community College (QCC).
“Kevin brings a holistic experience with DEI work to the municipality and has a strong track record of implementing successful DEI programs and initiatives,” said Batista. “I am confident Kevin will hit the ground running, building up the new Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to cultivate a workplace environment reflective of the Worcester community with a culture of service, respect, and accountability.”
Lovaincy is well-versed in the Americans with Disabilities Act, affirmative action, investigations, development trainings, and more. Prior to working at QCC, Lovaincy served as the Acting Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). He also served as MDPH’s Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Public Health Hospitals.
He is a graduate of Tufts University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Arts in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership. He holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate from Cornell University and is currently enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, studying for his Doctor of Philosophy in Social Justice Education.
The Executive Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (EODEI) seeks to implement the municipality's DEI mission and is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, including, developing, retaining, engaging, and motivating a diverse, high-performing, and thriving workforce, where all feel welcome. This will be accomplished through a framework centered around the following commitments set forth by City Manager Batista's administration:
In 2023, the EODEI's leadership and cabinet-level position was renamed from Chief Diversity Officer to Chief Equity Officer to better reflect its greater mission. In addition, the Human Rights, Investigations, and Training & Development divisions were transitioned to the EODEI, along with the Human Rights Commission, Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, Accessibility Advisory Committee, and a newly created Advisory Committee on Latino Affairs.
