ABRF Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Council
Purpose
The ABRF Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Council supports a culture where all individuals feel valued, included, and empowered to thrive. Building on ABRF’s commitment to inclusion and social justice, the Council works to ensure that diversity, equity, and belonging are woven into every aspect of the organization.
The Council provides strategic guidance and accountability as ABRF strives to become a more inclusive and equitable community. We advocate for communities that have faced systemic barriers to inclusion in science and research, promote inclusive practices, and create opportunities for all members—regardless of background—to engage fully and equitably in the ABRF mission.
Through this work, the ABRF DEIB Council helps foster a scientific community where diverse voices lead, collaborate, and innovate together.
Are you passionate about advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging in the shared research resources community? Join the ABRF DEIB Council | Contact us to learn how you can contribute!
Responsibilities
The DEIB Council is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture within the ABRF community. In alignment with ABRF’s commitment to equity and inclusion, the Council works to embed these values into the fabric of the organization.
The Council fulfills its charge through the following responsibilities:
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Developing recommendations for ABRF Executive Board consideration, including the drafting and revision of equitable policies, practices, and procedures that promote inclusion and belonging.
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Conducting research, surveys, and assessments to establish a clear understanding of the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the ABRF membership, leadership, and programming.
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Establishing metrics and benchmarks to evaluate progress and hold the organization accountable to measurable goals in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Proposing and scoping new initiatives and programs designed to increase participation, visibility, and support for individuals from communities that have faced systemic barriers to inclusion in science.
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Promoting education and training opportunities that deepen awareness of systemic inequities, foster inclusive leadership, and equip ABRF members with the tools to create welcoming, equitable environments in their own institutions.
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Recommending additional actions or partnerships that support ABRF’s long-term commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across the life sciences.
Through this work, the Council plays a critical role in ensuring that the ABRF community not only reflects the diversity of the broader scientific enterprise but also actively cultivates an environment where all members feel they belong and can thrive.
Composition
The DEIB Council will include at least 12 members as follows:
- three ABRF member volunteers who have served in leadership roles, one of whom will serve as Chair;
- three ABRF at-large member volunteers, including those who are active with ABRF Chapters;
- two member volunteers from ABRF Institutional member organizations;
- two member volunteers from ABRF Corporate Partners;
- one Executive Board member liaison; and
- ABRF Executive Director.
Interested in joining? ABRF members and corporate partners interested in joining the ABRF DEIB Council may contact us through ABRF Executive Director
Ken Schoppmann (ken.schoppmann@abrf.org).
Current Members
- Tim Bushnell, University of Rochester Medical Center
- Shixia Huang, Baylor College of Medicine
- Noelani Kamelamela, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Meghan Kraft, (Executive Board Liaison), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Cynthia Tope Niedermaier, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Flo Ramirez, University of California, Berkeley
- Ken Schoppmann, ABRF Executive Director
- Mary Winn, (Chair), Van Andel Institute
Prior Members
- Sara Bowen, Barrow Neurological Institute
- Andy Chitty, Oregon Health & Science University
- Roxana Del Rio Guerra, University of Vermont
- Ousmane Noël Diallo, Institut Pasteur of Dakar
- Bill Hendrickson, University of Illinois at Chicago (Retired)
- Deborah Hollingshead, University of Pittsburgh
- Feather Ives, University of California, Berkeley
- Yava Jones-Hall, Texas A&M University
- Justine Kigenyi, University of Kansas Medical Center
- George Langford, Syracuse University
- Tania Mesa, Moffit Cancer Center
- Carla Moentenich, Twist Biosciences
- Jane Romm, Agilent Technologies
- Eduardo Rosa-Molinar, Washington University School of Medicine
- Todd Smith, Digital World Biology
- Frances Weis-Garcia, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
News and Announcements
Resources
DEIB Council Virtual Training and Education Series
Safe Zone Workshop with Mary Winn, June 2025
Group Norms and Psychological Safety with Meghan Kraft, May 2025
ABRF Annual Meeting Session Recordings
2025 Annual Meeting
Hiring People with Disabilities in Your Core Facility: What You Need to Know & Why it Matters
Developing Tools to Navigate Intercultural Communication Competence in Shared Resource Facilities
2024 Annual Meeting
DEI Award & Talk: Public Health, STEM, and Dynamic Partnerships - Feather Ives
The Role of Societies & Cores in Promoting Forward-Looking Action for an Inclusive Future
2023 Annual Meeting
General Reading
- Teaching Tolerance.org Ally Toolkit - This brief overview and toolkit is a great place to start
- What does it mean to be an Ally? Definition and Characteristics
- Guide to Allyship - An open-source guide “contributed to by people from all walks of life...., a resource where anyone who is considering becoming an ally understands the pros and cons of what being an ally entails”
- How Diversity Makes Us Smarter
- Promoting inclusive metrics of success and impact to dismantle a discriminatory reward system in science