About Us
Meet the 2010 Diversity Roundtable Board
President- Lori Morgan
Immediate Past President - Jenny Banner
Vice President - LaTricia Hill-Chandler
Treasurer - Ed Santiago
Secretary - Sharon Wardrip
Special Events Director - MeChelle Callen
Marketing Director - Dawn Jones
Membership Director - Bruce Burking
Professional Development Director - John Henning
Historian - Tamiko Razika
DRTCI Board Member
Board Position – President
Lori A. Morgan is CEO of Morgan Multimedia, LLC, an Indianapolis-based marketing firm specializing in diversity, event planning and media relations. Ms. Morgan has served in numerous capacities in the not-for-profit sector. Her experience with youth has included volunteering as mentor and reader for grades 1st thru 5th at Nora Elementary as well as being involved in mentor recruitment for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She specializes in projects that benefit youth and the disadvantaged. Ms. Morgan seeks opportunities that will utilize her extensive expertise in the areas of community outreach, event planning and developing diversity initiatives. Ms. Morgan has received numerous awards in recognition of her community involvement. She maintains memberships in Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis Symphony Women’s Committee, the NAACP, Urban League of Greater Indianapolis and the Rainbow Push Coalition.
Diversity Quote to Remember – “Diversity issues are my passion. The idea of including people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds to create intriguing dialogue excites me!”
DRTCI Board Member
Board Position –Immediate Past President
Jenny is the Human Resources Manager for Sigma Micro LLC, a local software firm in Indianapolis. In her current role, Jenny is able to build her inter-cultural competencies through interactions with her Human Resources counterparts at the company’s two India locations. Jenny became involved with the Diversity Roundtable of Central Indiana in 2005 after an internship at Eli Lilly during graduate school. She was responsible for developing a Hispanic/Latino Training module at Lilly, which opened up her eyes to the diverse perspectives that are often under-served in the workplace. From Lilly’s Workforce Partnering team, Jenny moved into another internship with Wellpoint’s Diversity and Workforce Culture Team, where she researched and proposed the creation of affinity groups in the organization. The Fortune 500 diversity exposure provided a solid foundation for Jenny to build on, and she continues to learn and appreciate diverse perspectives on a daily basis. In addition to being President of the DRTCI Board, Jenny is a Board Member of Girls Inc. and an active member of HRACI, SHRM, and Lacy Leadership Association. Her most wonderful accomplishment is being the proud parent of three beautiful little girls.
Why is the Diversity Roundtable of Central Indiana an important part of her life:
"My current position does not address diversity directly, and the Roundtable provides me an outlet for my passion. The take aways I gain from the monthly meetings through the discussions and speakers, really help me navigate the cultural, differences and similarities within my organization. Taking time out to open my mind to information on other cultures, struggles, psychologies, and business practices, pays off personally and for my organizaiton."
DRTCI Board Member
Board Position – Vice President
LaTricia is the Director for Supplier Diversity for the Indianapolis Public Schools. She has held this position since April 2007 as being the first to hold this position. This position was created jointly by the Indianapolis Public School Board of Commissioners and IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene White. Her responsibilities include increasing minority and women owned business participation in the procurement processes within the district of IPS . She is also responsible for outreach, community involvement, and awareness/education to the district. LaTricia’s role reports to Dr. White.
LaTricia is the former Director of Business Diversity and Compliance Programs for Indiana University. Her role supported all campuses of Indiana University; however she had dual offices on both Bloomington and IUPUI campuses. She held this position from May 2004 – April 2007. Before joining Indiana University, she was the Diversity Procurement Manager at Cummins Inc., Columbus, Indiana. LaTricia was the first to hold this position at Indiana University and the first to hold this role in the State of Indiana for any higher education institution. She holds a BS in Marketing from HBCU LeMoyne Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee and a Masters of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan, Indianapolis. .
LaTricia is a 2008 graduate of the Diversity Leadership Academy of Greater Indianapolis; American Institute for Managing Diversity Inc.
LaTricia has been a guest speaker for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s International Trade Bureau in Chicago, IL. She has also been featured as Who’s Who in Black Indianapolis, 2005 and 2006. LaTricia serves on the Board of Directors for Kids’ Voice of Indiana, on the Executive committee of the HUsB (Historically Underutilized small Business) Coordinators, a Board member of youth B.L.I.N.G (Building Leaders in the Next Generation) program and a member of the Wishard Foundation Development Committee. Recently, LaTricia was named the Board Member of the Year for B.L.I.N.G.
LaTricia is an active member of the Puritan Missionary Baptist Church and married to Derrick Chandler. She is also a proud parent of little Miss Dyllan Chandler.
DRTCI Board Member
Board Position – Treasurer
Edward (Ed) Santiago is currently employed as a Senior HR Business Partner at the Finish Line and has served as the treasurer of the diversity roundtable since January of 2009.
Ed has served in a variety of leadership and staff roles during his career. He most recently served as the manager of diversity at Sallie Mae’s Indiana centers and graduated from the Diversity Leadership Academy of Greater Indianapolis in the summer of 2008. Ed served proudly for over 10 years with the United States Army. Ed has a bachelor’s degree in Management and is pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. Ed spends his spare time helping in his community. He serves on the board of the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside and his Neighborhood Association. He is also a volunteer Cub Master and coach in youth baseball and basketball programs.
Why is the Diversity Roundtable an important part of his life:
“Understanding differences and finding common ground have been with me since early childhood growing up in New York City. My goal with the roundtable is to continue on this journey of understanding to improve our community and organizations within central Indiana.”
Board Position - Secretary
Sharon M. Wardrip, SPHR is the Indianapolis administrator and national attorney recruiter for the 35 offices of labor and employment law firm Ogletree Deakins, and serves on the firm's diversity committee. In her current role, Sharon manages the human resources, marketing, finance, technology and facilities for the Indianapolis office. She is also a frequent facilitator for PHR/SPHR certification classes.
Previously, Sharon held senior executive positions in banking and insurance, directing the areas of human resources, training and administration, with a dual role as affirmative action officer. She conducted training on topics including diversity, sexual harrassment prevention, stress management and strategic planning.
Sharon has served on other local boards, including HRACI and has volunteered for numerous nonprofits, such as Julian Center, Training, Inc. and WFYI’s IRIS program for reading impaired.
Sharon’s involvement in diversity issues began early, as she was honored to be part of the first integrated graduating class at Crispus Attucks High School. Her family and business relationships include a rich tapestry of individuals from diverse racial, religious and sexual orientation backgrounds.
As a DRTCI member for over two years, Sharon values both the academic and practical nature of the programs and networking that Diversity Roundtable provides.
Why is DRTCI an important part of Sharon’s life:“Discovering new ways of thinking about our many differences helps us better appreciate the value in each individual. That foundation is crucial to achieving our personal and professional best.”
DRTCI Board Member
Board Position – Special Events Director
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MeChelle is the Director of Learning & Development for Duke Realty, a national commercial real estate company headquartered in Indianapolis. In addition to all other trainings, MeChelle develops and coordinate all diversity training for the associates and is an active member of Duke’s Diversity Council. MeChelle is new to the Diversity Roundtable of Central Indiana, joining in 2007. In addition to being Special Events Director of the DRTCI Board, MeChelle is the Way and Means Vice President for Avon Choir Boosters, a volunteer with Avon Community Swim Team and the Hendricks Civic Theatre. She is also an active member of SHRM, ASTD, CIASTD and Lead United. MeChelle has her MBA and her SPHR certification.She has two children; Abbey, age 10 and Grant, age 16. Her family is very involved in the Hispanic Community and works on various outreach programs with Mexico and El Salvador.
Why is the Diversity Roundtable an important part of her life?
“I was raised in a very homogeneous community as a child and it wasn’t until my early adulthood that I was able to truly appreciate the value of diversity in my life and in my community. The roundtable is an opportunity for me to assist in creating a community that values and respects the diversity of all of its citizens.”
Dawn Jones
Board Position - Director of Marketing
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Dawn Jones is a senior account executive with Radio One Indianapolis with 20 years of marketing and advertising experience. She began her career in Peoria IL with WBGE-FM where she held various positions including Account Executive, Director of Sales and Station Manager. Following WGBE-FM, she held Senior Account Executive positions at different clusters in the Raleigh, North Carolina market. In 1998, she was recognized as a Radio Ink Magazine Red Hot A.E. In 2001 she received the coveted Radio Ink’s Radio Wayne Streetfighter of the Year Award and in 2004 she was recognized as a “Radio Foremother” by Radio & Records Magazine. Dawn then joined the Beasley Broadcasting family and was the Local Sales Manager for Fayetteville’s WZFX-FM and WUKS-FM, during which time she was responsible for managing and training the stations’ sales departments. In 2004, she was promoted to Non-Traditional Sales Manager/New Business Development & Trainer. Her career then moved her back to Raleigh to join the Radio One organization as a Senior Account Executive and then Non-Traditional Sales Manager. In an effort to be closer to family, she then joined the Radio One family in Indianapolis in March 2009.
Dawn’s community involvement ranges from review boards for the United Way, a board member for the Tri-County Urban League (Peoria) and various positions on boards for marketing and media organizations. Dawn is currently an active member of the Drug Free Marion County and a member of the New Beginnings Fellowship Church. Dawn is also the proud mother of her 5 year old son, DJ.
DRTCI Board Member
Board Position - Membership Director
Board Position – Historian
Tamiko is a Senior Employment Administrator with Citizens Gas & Coke Utility Human Resource Department. Tamiko began her career at Citizens Gas in the Training & Development Department in 1998 and currently manages the recruiting efforts for entry level, technical and professional positions across the Utility. Due to her passion for diversity initiatives, she has been instrumental in coordinating the Diversity Action Council at Citizen’s, and has been a member of the Diversity Roundtable since 2002. She is a 5-year certified Talent Selection Training Facilitator specializing in Behavioral Interviewing Techniques and also serves as the President of the Purity Class at Sanders Temple COGIC where she volunteers and provides a variety of services to youth ages 13-17. She has also served on the Advisory Board of Training Inc and has been newly appointed to the Board of Trustees at Sanders Temple Church. Tamiko is an active member of the Indiana 2nd Jurisdictional Gospel Choir and is working on their first CD project to be released this summer.
Diversity Quote to Remember – “My values and diverse background provides a strong foundation that will continue to make a positive impact at home, work and in the community.”
Board Position – Controller
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Deb McCloud is Vice President and Controller with United Student Aid Funds, Inc. She has been with USA Funds for 21 years and is currently in charge of the Accounting and Treasury functions for the nation’s largest guarantor of student loans. Deb became involved with the Diversity Roundtable of Central Indiana in 1999, while also serving on the first Diversity Improvement Team at work. Deb has served as Treasurer off and on during her tenure with the Roundtable and has provided all bookkeeping and tax reporting services to the Roundtable on a volunteer basis since 2000. Deb has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration, both from Indiana University and she is also a CPA. Deb serves as the Chair of the Board for the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Inc. which was created January 1, 2007 as a result of the merger of 5 Girl Scout councils in central Indiana. Deb also served as co-chair of the realignment committee responsible for completing the merger and had served previously for 4 years as the Board Chair of the Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council, Inc. Deb has also served on the Board and Finance Committee for the Lawrence Township School Foundation and does volunteer work with the women’s group at Castleton United Methodist Church.
Diversity Quote to Remember – “My management philosophy and various volunteer efforts all stem from my strong desire to help each and every individual. I’d also try to find the special gifts, talents and abilities each unique individual has been given then to help that individual be able to live to their full potential, enjoying all the blessings available to them.”
Toni Neely - Pope & Associates Training Program
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Gabrielle Campo - Info to Come!