This report is prepared especially for the members of the DEI Task Force :: November 2023
This is how we do it, DEI Task Force Members!
In 2023, you showed the IBTTA family and the tolling industry precisely what “it” is that you do... and indeed how it’s done! In this report, you’ll see the continued progress you’ve made and successes accomplished this year under the leadership of our Co-chairs, Joi Dean, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Jeff Miller, West Virginia Parkways Authority – and remember, the year ain’t even finished yet.
Get ready to pump your fists in the air as you read through the wonderful testaments that show your dedication to “address how the tolling industry influences the wider society and communities through its policies and perspectives” and your commitment to “use your platform to heighten awareness of accessibility challenges and implement favorable, fair, and equitable initiatives that can impact the industry.” These are the objectives you defined upon initiation in 2020.
Let me encourage you to review the roster of the whole team, which you’ve heard me refer to as the “Full Force!” The Task Force functions as a unit – a “Full Force” – made up of two exceptional components that get “it” all done in cooperative partnership. On the attached spreadsheet [roster on web], you’ll find all of the Enlightenment Working Group and the Recognition Working Group members listed along with email addresses [emails not included on web version] – because I know you’re going to want to send Congratulation to one another once you get done reading through all of these victories!
Baby, They Were Born to Run!
A profound “Thank You” to the 2023 Momentum Leaders of our two working groups who set the pace, jumped the hurdles, and kept us on track throughout the year!
Enlightenment Working Group // Education, Training, and Growth
Sheryl Johnson, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Bryan Homayouni, Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX)
Recognition Working Group // Awards, Scholarships, and Best Practices
Snehal Ambare, CDM Smith
George Christopher, Emovis
We fully hope and expect these torchbearers to continue in their roles next year, but if others of you are interested in stepping forward to help join the leadership for either of these working groups, please contact Joi Dean. In this marathon of ours, we always welcome relay runners along the way to accept the baton!
DEI Task Force Members Make Impact on IBTTA’s Event Programming!
You knew that a “change was gonna come,” and so sung, so done! This year, as charged, DEI Task Force members stepped up and showed up with representation on all six of IBTTA’s Meeting Planning Groups (aka MPGs) – and you even had two members holding the Chief Meeting Organizer (CMO) title for the Communications, HR & Legal Workshop and the 91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition. The MPGs plan the educational content for IBTTA’s meetings, so serving on these groups provided an opportunity to give voice to the estimable work of this Task Force, adding influence that is favorable to the goals and objectives the Task Force has set out to achieve. The following DEI Task Force members served on MPGs in 2023:
Communications, HR & Legal Workshop - Norfolk, Virginia: March, 2023
George Christopher, Emovis
Matt Cole (CMO), formerly with Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
Sheryl Johnson, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis
Marcus Williams, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Technology Summit - Indianapolis, Indiana: April/May, 2023
Snehal Ambare, CDM Smith
Shannon Swank, Cogitative Consulting, LLC
Marcus Williams, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Road Usage Charging and Finance Summit - Salt Lake City, Utah: June, 2023
George Christopher, Emovis
Maintenance, Engineering and Roadway Operations Workshop - Nashville, Tennessee: July/August, 2023
Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis
Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis
Joe Williams, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition - Seattle, Washington: October, 2023
Snehal Ambare, CDM Smith
Tawnya Freund (CMO), ViaPlus
Sheryl Johnson, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis
Shannon Swank, Cogitative Consulting, LLC
Chris Tomlinson, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Joe Williams, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
Global Tolling Summit - Athens, Greece: November, 2023
George Christopher, Emovis
Want to add your name to the list of members contributing to one of IBTTA’s MPGs in 2024? The meeting planning groups usually launch about six months prior to the event and now’s the time to send in your requests to be a part of any of the 2024 programming groups.
To date, the following members have already been assigned:
Technology Summit - Atlanta, Georgia: May 4-7, 2023
Snehal Ambare, CDM Smith
George Christopher, Emovis
Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis
Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis
Road Usage Charging and Finance Summit - Baltimore, Maryland: June 9 - 11, 2024
Amit Thomas, CDM Smith
Maintenance, Engineering and Roadway Operations Workshop - Fort Myers, Florida: July 28 - 30, 2024
Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis
Global Tolling Summit - Seville, Spain: September 15-17, 2024
Uh oh! No one from the DEI Task Force on this MPG… yet.
92nd Annual Meeting & Exhibition - Cleveland, Ohio: October 26-29, 2024
Snehal Ambare, CDM Smith
George Christopher, Emovis
Wayne Reed (CMO), AtkinsRéalis
Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis
Shannon Swank, Cogitative Consulting, LLC
Please use this form to express your interest in being placed on one of the five MPGs in 2024.
DEI Task Force Members Took to the Speaking Stage in 2023
The following Task Force members were represented on programs at 2023 IBTTA events in a general or breakout session, as Moderator or Speaker, or a virtual webinar, as a Facilitator or Panelist:
“It’s Not Just Books Anymore” Club Group Discussions (virtual, quarterly: March, June, September, 2023)
Peter Ousley, Accenture, Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis, and Takesha McClane, Illinois Tollway
Ensuring Equity in Transportation (webinar - March, 2023)
Joi Dean, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Enterprise Risk Management: Opportunities and Challenges (webinar - September, 2023)
Chris Tomlinson, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Communications, HR & Legal Workshop
Joi Dean, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Tawnya Freund, ViaPlus, Sheryl Johnson, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis, Shannon Swank, Cogitative Consulting, LLC, and Chris Tomlinson, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Technology Summit
Ferzan Ahmed, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Tawnya Freund, ViaPlus, Peter Ousley, Accenture, Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis, Barbara Roberts, Conduent Transportation, Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis, Cassaundra Rouse, Illinois Tollway, Shannon Swank, Cogitative Consulting, LLC, and Chris Tomlinson, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Road Usage Charging and Finance Summit
Reema Griffith, Washington State Transportation Commission, Cintia Nazima, Moody's Investors Service, and Chris Tomlinson, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Maintenance, Engineering and Roadway Operations Workshop
Bryan Emery, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis, and Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis
91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition
Joi Dean, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Tawnya Freund, ViaPlus, Reema Griffith, Washington State Transportation Commission, Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis, Cassaundra Rouse, Illinois Tollway, Shannon Swank, Cogitative Consulting, LLC, and Chris Tomlinson, Deloitte Consulting LLP
DEI Task Force Members Made Appearances on Café IBTTA
Two DEI Task Force members chatted with IBTTA CEO & Executive Director Pat Jones in appearances on Café IBTTA this year. If you missed either of these programs, you can watch the episodes on IBTTA’s YouTube channel (links below):
Cassaundra Rouse, Illinois Tollway, (June 21, 2023)
Cassaundra met with Pat on the heels of Juneteenth and she discussed the significance of the important holiday, her rise through the ranks to appointment as the first African American woman to serve as Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway, and advancing the agency’s equity program for its customers. See Pat’s full interview with Cassaundra on YouTube.
Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis (October 4, 2023)
In this appearance, Rosa spoke with Pat about honoring her parents through her resilience, leadership style, passion for inclusivity, and work ethic. Rosa took us through her career path, overcoming challenges along the way, and her “sponsorship” of those who follow in her footsteps. Watch Pat’s full interview with Rosa YouTube.
They don’t play, folks! Among other noteworthy badges they wear, Cassaundra will begin her first IBTTA Board of Directors term in January, 2024, and Rosa is an Honorary IBTTA Member and previous Board member.
DEI Task Force Looks So Good on Paper!
If you’ve attended any of the in-person IBTTA events this year, then you’ve gotten a chance to hold in your hands the eye-catching DEI Task Force foldout that we’ve made available to all meeting attendees as a takeaway. Chris Tomlinson says that, when he makes transportation industry visits, he carries a copy and uses it to call attention to the Task Force’s important work. What a terrific idea! But if you don’t have a printed copy, the digital version is posted on the IBTTA website, which makes it convenient for you to share with colleagues and proudly show the impressive activities and successful initiatives you’re accomplishing.
So, go on with your bad self, Task Force member, and Show Off!
DEI Sessions Taking a Firm Hold on IBTTA Event Programs
IBTTA kicked off the year of programming with a virtual Safe Space session, How to Promote a Culture of Inclusion (January, 2023), which served as a repeat opportunity for members to participate in the earlier in-person session that took place at the Annual Meeting in September, 2022. IBTTA member Greg Bradley, Bradley Consulting & Training, returned to instruct attendees in gaining tools to constructively advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in their organizations.
Next, at the start of the Communications, HR & Legal Workshop, a special half-day session was held where attendees learned effective approaches to developing their own DEI awareness programs in a Train-the-Trainer session; and later took part in the HR session, Connecting DE&I to Strengthen Strategic Partnerships.
Following through with the goal of holding DEI sessions at each IBTTA event, the Technology Summit incorporated an expert panel of presenters (and all four were DEI Task Force members, if we do say so ourselves) who centered on ripple effects of transformative technologies in transportation. On the first full day of the Summit, Peter Ousley, Accenture, skillfully moderated DE&I Focus: How to Advance Technology and Limit Unintended Consequences with fellow Enlightenment Working Group members (pictured with Peter below, left to right) Cassaundra Rouse, Illinois Tollway, Barbara Roberts, Conduent Transportation, and Shannon Swank, Cogitative Consulting, LLC.
This was an interactive session with a roomful of attendees who participated, along with the panelists, in open discussion, offering perspectives on how capital investment projects can impact the public and ways to mitigate how technological advancements could unintentionally worsen the communities they serve.
The reviews of this session were among the highest ranked in the post-meeting survey. No surprise, right?
Early on in 2023, IBTTA began to experiment with the meeting format known as “Open Space,” a new approach to conducting an education session where the group members create the content of the meeting in an organic fashion. During the exercise, it’s the audience – not panelists – who frame the topics before diving into the subjects in small groups. Participants freely move about the meeting room, contributing views and reactions to their choices of subjects being examined; and the concepts and comments are all captured in a later summary report.
At the 91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis, artfully facilitated a DEI Open Space Session with the theme, Bridging the Gap: Challenges and Opportunities in DEI – What is next and where do we go from here? As predicted, this group exercise was a tremendous hit!
This particular session is a product of the Enlightenment Working Group and three of our DEI Task Force members, Takesha McClane, Illinois Tollway, Rosa Rountree, AtkinsRéalis, and Marcus Williams, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, were among the 12 who served as collaboration leaders of the session.
The comprehensive summary report is now posted on the IBTTA web site and it will assist the DEI Task Force in future direction and content development.
Equity Awareness and Inclusion Moments Growing… Beyond the DEI Task Force
One of the objectives of the DEI Task Force is to get to a place where awareness and acknowledgment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded into the life of the IBTTA community and reach into the greater society. More and more within IBTTA, it’s not just the DEI Task Force that is raising awareness and seeking strategies to address the unconscious biases and systemic inequities, which have now become much more acknowledged globally.
Other IBTTA committees, councils, and planning groups have put together programs that speak directly to these concerns and are identifying ways that organizations and individuals may accept responsibilities to mitigate the status quo. There’s a whole section below on the Leadership Academy, IBTTA Foundation’s executive development program, holding a DEI awareness exercise; and here are some other examples of programs held this year:
- Ensuring Equity in Transportation, webinar hosted by the Women in Tolling Council (March, 2023)
- Transportation Equity – Effective Toll Relief Programs, General Session during the Communications, HR & Legal Workshop
- Procurement and Contracting – A Point-Counterpoint Discussion. It’s For Your Own Good!, Legal Track Breakout Session during the Communications, HR & Legal Workshop
- Targeted & Community Engagement Approaches, Communications Track Breakout Session during the Communications, HR & Legal Workshop
- Transportation Equity and Social Responsibility, webinar hosted by the Women in Tolling Council (September, 2023)
- Inclusion Moment, highlighted in Welcoming Remarks delivered by CEO & Executive Director Pat Jones during Opening General Session of the 91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition
- The Mobility Wallet and Equitable Access to Transportation, webinar (October, 2023)
Leadership Academy Cohort Held Its Own DEI Safe Space Experience
I don’t know if you’re seeing what I’m seeing, but in my view, the influence of the DEI Task Force is reaching farther and wider as our powerful team continues to impact the greater IBTTA community! You just read through a list of some instances in the section above, and here’s yet another terrific example.
As part of the IBTTA Foundation’s executive development program, the Leadership Academy class of 2023 took on the enriching challenge of conducting its own DEI Safe Space Discussion during their week-long course in Washington, DC (February, 2023). We didn’t even need the DEI Task Force to plant the suggestion on this one. The administrators of the program simply recognized the significance of the valuable DEI awareness training and made sure that the safe space exercise was built into the professional development curriculum. I love it!
By the way, Task Force member Bryan Emery, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, is a member of the class of 2024.
IBTTA Celebrated Transportation Leaders During Black History Month
We flooded our socials with commemorations of transportation pioneers during Black History Month in February, 2023. Featured leaders that IBTTA posted on LinkedIn and Twitter were:
- William Thaddeus Coleman Jr. the first Black US Secretary of Transportation;
- Lois Cooper, the first Black female transportation engineer;
- Edward Davis, the first Black inductee into the Automotive Hall of Fame;
- Frederick McKinley Jones, inventor and pioneer of the technology of the first automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks and railcars;
- Garrett Morgan, the inventor of the three-way traffic signal;
- Rodney Earl Slater, the first Black Administrator of the US Federal Highway Administration and second Black Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation;
- Chris Tomlinson, IBTTA's first Black President and a leader who simultaneously served in three Executive Director roles in Atlanta, Georgia agencies (and our own Task Force member!);
- Carmen E. Turner, the first Black woman to lead a major transit agency; and
- Mathematician Gladys West, whose satellite models served as the basis for the Global Positioning System (GPS).
When Black History Month occurs in 2024, we want to again be a definitive source of information. If you can contribute historical examples to our growing list of significant achievements, please share details of Black excellence in the transportation and tolling industry that you may know of. While we will continue to celebrate world record-setters and well-known “firsts” in Black history, we would also like to shine a light on less-reported-on exemplars during the traditional February observances.
HBCU Scholarship Program Scored with FOUR of Seven Foundation Awardees!
If you were ever worried about the future of transportation, your fears will be allayed once you view the 2023 IBTTA Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony, where more than half(!) of the scholarship recipients are studying at an HBCU. In addition to helping to raise funds, the efforts of the Recognition Working Group to promote, nurture, and advise the candidates, from the roughly 100 HBCUs they identified to target, resulted in one of the most outstanding groups of undergraduate and graduate students to be awarded with $5,000 each for their tuition and program needs.
You read that correctly.
57.14% of the total scholarships were awarded to deserving Students of Color enrolled in an HBCU!
Here's some “inside task force” stuff to consider: Your team members went the extra mile with a good deal of behind-the-scenes groundwork again this year. For instance,
Cassaundra Rouse, Illinois Tollway, traveled with – and left behind – the promotional materials for the scholarship program as she toured campuses on a multi-state road trip with her soon-to-graduate college-seeking student.
George Christopher, Emovis, held a virtual Town Hall-style advisory session on Teams for HBCU students to learn helpful tips on submitting a winning application for the scholarship. George serves on the IBTTA Foundation Board, so he’s seen the best and worst of the submissions in previous years and was able to convey smart strategies for candidates to follow.
And we mustn’t forget the tremendous fundraising and contributions of everyone on the team! Two, in particular deserve special attention. The IBTTA Foundation typically anticipates that funds will be raised to support five students (total!) in a year. However, this year, thanks to generous donations from Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and West Virginia Parkways Authority, there were two additional awards of $5,000 granted. (We see you, Ferzan Ahmed and Jeff Miller!)
The video clip of the awards ceremony, presented during the 91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition, is an enjoyable 7:39 – a heartwarming must-watch for any DEI Task Force member who wants to see the impact of your efforts. (Each acceptance speech from these young future transportation leaders is worth the seven minutes it’ll take to listen.)
Did I mention that four of the seven winners came from an HBCU? What a triumph!
DEI Task Force Launched the “IBTTA Experience”
We got schooled this year and learned that not all IBTTA events are conducive to this next highlighted program I’m about to review with you. It was launched in 2023 and presented a few show-stopping challenges – but man! -- when the stars align, the “IBTTA Experience” is a thing of beauty.
It’s a little difficult to distinguish between who the students are and who our Task Force Ambassadors are… but… I thinnnnk I see George Christopher, Rosa Rountree, Courtney Royer, Cassaundra Rouse, Tawnya Freund, Sheryl Johnson, Chris Tomlinson, and Joi Dean pictured among the visiting students and administrators.
At the Communications, HR & Legal Workshop, the Recognition Working Group invited students from the nearby Hampton University and Norfolk State University for the group’s first “IBTTA Experience.” Seven students met with Ambassadors of the Recognition Working Group, who spent time accompanying them in the exhibit hall, sharing wisdom over Lunch, and escorting them to afternoon sessions.
Lots of appreciation for the extra effort exerted by Joi Dean, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, who successfully connected with administrators of the HBCUs to produce the super results in Norfolk.
Two of the lessons learned from our efforts this year were that (1) summer-summer-summertime is not a favorable time to try to reach students for this kind of activity and (2) it’s vital to develop a relationship with a local champion to support the program. So, the Task Force will make a few adjustments and press forward with the “IBTTA Experience” at future IBTTA events when they are held during the school year and are located in or near a city that has an HBCU. There’s talk on the horizon of the Ambassadors providing continuing mentorship to students, too.
And the DEI Award Winners Are…
The 2023 award winners are Illinois Tollway (“Partnering for Growth”) in the public sector and Deloitte Consulting (“Diverse Supplier Initiative”) in the private sector; and we might as well let the recipients’ acceptance speeches do the talking on this one. Follow this link to watch the 2023 DEI Awards Ceremony, which took place during the 91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition.
The complete video clip runs just under 17 minutes long, and includes Cassaundra Rouse, Illinois Tollway, and Chris Tomlinson, Deloitte Consulting LLP, accepting trophies on behalf of their respective organizations, presented by Joi Dean, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The Recognition Working Group is pleased to have scored the entries for the annual DEI Award program for a third year; and when you watch the ceremony, you’ll see exactly why these honors are so well deserved!
Avid Readers, Listeners, and Viewers Joined the “It’s Not Just Books Anymore” Club in 2023
While we’re still going to keep up with the bestsellers on the bookshelves, we’ve learned that incorporating additional media into the quarterly group discussions was a smart decision. In 2023, two of the selections that the “It’s Not Just Books Anymore” Club examined were audible and visual with an NPR podcast, The Invention of Race, and a film, 12 Years a Slave being introduced. These two sessions turned out to maintain the same interest in attendance numbers that the review of the sole book, “Think Again,” garnered.
The cumulative participation for the first three group discussions was 67 members, with each session bringing in 12 to 25 members. It’s important to note that these intimate turnouts fostered deeper discussions, allowing everyone on the Zoom screen to join in the conversations. In large part, this was due to the mastery of the facilitators who led the discussion sessions. Those engaging leaders were:
- Peter Ousley, Accenture: The Invention of Race (NPR podcast) (March, 2023)
- Wayne Reed, AtkinsRéalis: “Think Again” by Adam Grant (June, 2023)
- Takesha McClane, Illinois Tollway: 12 Years a Slave (Narrative of Solomon Northup) (September, 2023)
The Enlightenment Working Group will be determining how to celebrate the growing success of the club’s quarterly discussions during the final session, taking place on Thursday, December 14. If you have never gotten involved, THIS will be the time to join in. As is always noted, it’s not required that you have read/listened to/viewed the entire selection that is being discussed. All members are welcome to contribute to the conversation! (Sign up here and stay tuned to learn what the upcoming group discussion will cover.) We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, December 14 at 3:00 pm (ET).
When it’s time for our “close up”… We Stay Ready, So We Don’t Have to Get Ready!
The DEI Task Force gathered together for a photo shoot at most of our in-person IBTTA events in 2023. (We missed the Norfolk and Nashville events, but we’ll be sure to plan for a “team picture” photo shoot at all five in-person meetings next year.)
Communications, HR & Legal Workshop
Attendees: Autavea Basey, George Christopher, Joi Dean, Tawnya Freund, Sheryl Johnson, Peter Ousley, Rosa Rountree, Cassaundra Rouse, Courtney Royer, Shannon Swank, Christopher Tomlinson, DeeAnne Vickery
This first group picture was at the Technology Summit and it felt like a family reunion – a family re-union!
Notice the subtle staged promo of the DEI Task Force trifold and the QR code on that easel sign. Smart, in’nit?
Pictured, left to right: Takesha McClane, Roland Bonilla, Tawnya Freund, Ron Fagan, Barbara Roberts, George Christopher, Jeff Miller, Snehal Ambare, LaKrysha Winsley, DeeAnne Vickery, and Wayne Reed
(Attendees not pictured: Ferzan Ahmed, Peter Ousley, Rosa Rountree, Cassaundra Rouse, Courtney Royer, Shannon Swank, Chris Tomlinson, Marcus Williams, Mike Yager)
DEI Task Force members made their way to the Road Usage Charging and Finance Summit.
Represent, y’all!
Pictured, left to right: Cintia Nazima, Shannon Swank, Peter Ousley, Rosa Rountree, Snehal Ambare, and George Christopher
(Attendees not pictured: Tawnya Freund, Reema Griffith, Jeff Miller, Chris Tomlinson, Marcus Williams)
Maintenance, Engineering and Roadway Operations Workshop
Attendees: Ferzan Ahmed, Bryan Emery, Jeff Miller, Wayne Reed, Rosa Rountree
And the tearjerker of ‘em all was this prideful picture taken during the 91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition.
This one really got me. crying
Pictured, left to right: Wayne Reed, Laurie Davis, K.D. Warach, Rosa Rountree, Marcus Williams, Kimanh Doan, Peter Ousley, Snehal Ambare, Barbara Roberts, Joi Dean, Ron Fagan, Tawnya Freund, LaKrysha Winsley, DeeAnne Vickery, Cassaundra Rouse, Cintia Nazima, Shannon Swank, and Sheryl Johnson
(Attendees not pictured: Rick Crooks, Reema Griffith, Takesha McClane, Jeff Miller, Cassaundra Rouse, Chris Tomlinson, Mike Yager)
DEI Task Force to Become the DEI Committee!
And if you don’t know, now you know – Approval was made official during last month’s meeting of the IBTTA Board of Directors, confirming that, at the start of 2024, this group will no longer be known as a task force, with a supposed sunset, and will henceforth and forevermore (my words) be instituted as a Standing Committee of the Board. Moving forward, the DEI “Committee” will hold an enduring presence within the association with the permanent responsibility of producing the valuable initiatives and programs you’ve proven are crucial to IBTTA’s future.
Challenge Accepted, right? If they’re not already up, now’s when you raise your fists in the air and pump them like you just don’t care!
While a Call for Volunteers for all IBTTA committees is currently underway, as an existing Task Force member, you need to do nothing to remain on the DEI Committee in 2024. Unless you notify me with request to be removed, your name will remain on the roster.
That reminds me!
Many of you missed a presentation I delivered during IBTTA’s Spring Board of Directors Meeting in Salt Lake City (June, 2023). There’s a video floating around here somewhere but, better than that, I’m sharing with you the actual gamification platform that I used in order to turn the “Report to the Board” into a report that the Board made to itself. I decided to give an unorthodox-style update on the DEI Task Force in the form of a Jeopardy-themed game in which the members of the Board were all contestants. It’s filled it with edifying facts about the collection of Ws you’ve chalked up in these exciting three years… and I do believe they had a lot of fun with it.
…and don’t forget to answer in the form of a question. wink
Here are some tips to navigate through the game platform:
- Begin by choosing “1 Team” at the opening prompt and then click Start.
- To select the clues, just click on the number values (you know, you’ll “take DEI Task Force for $500, Alex”).
- Reveal the correct response by clicking on the Spacebar button or using the Spacebar on your keyboard.
- Click on the Escape button or use Esc on your keyboard to advance to the next clue.
It’s been a tremendous year, so IBTTA sends a heartfelt THANK YOU to ALL!
And when they ask you how you did “it,” all of you on this team can show the IBTTA family and entire tolling industry that this was exactly how “it” was done – through the commitment and dedication of the “Full Force!” Here’s to moving forward in 2024 with well-deserved pride and a continued adherence to our mission of implementing practices and programs that contribute to racial and social justice in our IBTTA family and beyond.
Take good care.
Terri A. Lankford
Membership & Business Development Manager
and "DEI Committee" Staff Liaison