Montgomery County Commissioners announce expanded investment in Office of DEI

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced a transformative investment in the Montgomery County Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, reinforcing the County’s commitment to fostering a workplace culture and county-wide community that emphasizes inclusion and belonging.

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, established in 2021, works to ensure that County policies, programs, and practices reflect the principles of fairness, respect, and inclusion. The office, currently a staff of one, is dedicated to fostering a community that values diversity and provides equitable opportunities for all. On Thursday, January 9, the Montgomery County Salary Board authorized the hiring of up four additional DEI positions, including two deputy chief DEI officers, a director of immigrant affairs, and a senior administrative assistant.

“This investment demonstrates this Board's commitment to respect for every individual and the talents they can bring to public service,” said Neil K. Makhija, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “By fostering representation that includes our entire community, we can continue to hire the best of the best, ensuring our workforce is as innovative, skilled, and diverse as the people we serve. These new positions will drive meaningful impact across the County, preparing us to meet future challenges and ensuring we maintain our commitment to merit and excellence.”

“Equity doesn’t happen by chance—it requires deliberate action and sustained commitment,” said Jamila H. Winder, vice chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “By investing in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Montgomery County will continue to be a leader in creating a community that is inclusive, supportive, and equitable for all. This added capacity will allow us to deepen our impact and expand programs that make Montgomery County a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We thank our Chief DEI Officer Donna Richemond, who has been a tireless advocate for equity in Montgomery County; her leadership and efforts have laid the foundation for this critical expansion.”

The added capacity will allow the County to:

• Increase accountability through data, by using data to inform strategic initiatives, track progress, and measure outcomes;
• Improve internal awareness, leadership development, training efforts, and equitable treatment in the workplace, by offering more programs to address issues such as equity-minded decision-making and unconscious bias;
• Enhance our workforce’s understanding and knowledge of key learnings, thus making the County not only a better place to work, but a better service provider to an inclusive community; and
• Ensure that accessibility and inclusivity principles are incorporated across all County policies, programs, and services, making them accessible to all.

County job listings are published online at governmentjobs.com/careers/montcopa. Information about the benefits of working with Montgomery County is available online here.