By Godson Umejiego, Bureau Chief, The Americas
The US Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced the selection of two individuals to key Senior Executive Service managerial positions at the agency. EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows selected
Patricia St. Clair as the new director of Field Coordination Programmes in the Office of Field Programmes (OFP) and Dr. Marvin Williams as the new director of the Office of Civil Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion (OCRDI).
“I am delighted to have Ms. St. Clair and Dr. Williams at the EEOC, as we continue strive to ensure inclusive workplaces that are free of discrimination both externally and within the agency,” said Burrows. “Both Ms. St. Clair and Dr. Williams have valuable expertise that will be an asset to our agency and those we serve.
St. Clair has more than 20 years of legal experience specializing in equal employment opportunity, labour and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in both the private and government sector. St. Clair previously served as Assistant Director of Federal Sector Programmes, Outreach Training and Engagement Division, in the EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations (OFO) where she managed the development, implementation, and delivery of anti-discrimination and diversity training and outreach initiatives for the federal government and stakeholders. She also previously served as senior attorney advisor in the Agency Oversight Division of the OFO. As a legal advisor to federal agencies, she provided regulatory guidance on anti-discrimination laws and evaluated federal agencies’ performance to ensure effective and efficient implementation of EEO and diversity programmes.
“I am honoured Chair Burrows has selected me to lead the team who educates the nation about the value of diversity and inclusion and equal employment opportunity in the workplace,” said St. Clair. “I have witnessed how education can change the workplace for the better and how providing employers with the necessary tools can create a culture of respect and inclusion.”
Dr. Williams served as a social scientist for the US Commission on Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights Evaluation (OCRE), where he was the principal researcher to examine the link between anti-Asian hate crimes and the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his assignment with OCRE, he was selected to scope and build the new 19-member commission and business plan for the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, where he administered the processes to recommend policies; improve current government programmes; investigate potential civil rights violations affecting black males; and study the disparities they experience in education, criminal justice, health, employment, fatherhood, mentorship, and violence.
Williams has nearly 30 years of active reserve service in the US Air Force and previously held roles as the director of the equal employment opportunity office for the US Navy and director of the office of civil rights director for the Department of Transportation at the US Merchant Marine Academy.
“In working at EEOC, I want to be a part of something larger than myself where I can lead in the process of achieving inclusive excellence,” said Williams. “My leadership entails creating and driving solutions amid complexity.”
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
