Meet Alyscia Raines: Our New DEI Facilitator!
We’re thrilled to have Alyscia Raines join us as a DEI Facilitator. Read more about her DEI philosophy and her extensive DEI background.
What's your title and what are your job responsibilities?
I am so very happy to be joining the Holistic team as a DEI Facilitator. In this contract role, I will be working closely with Lisa Alvarado to help facilitate client-facing workshops around topics related to DEI. Additionally, I will be helping with long-term client projects, supporting by conducting interviews, focus groups, and other forms of assessment.
Can you tell us about your background?
I have nearly 10 years of experience in the DEI space. I come from the Higher Education field and I am an educator by nature. I enjoy working with clients who are willing and open to learning and being a part of their journeys. I have a Master’s Degree from Loyola University Chicago, where I studied Social Justice in Education. During my time at Loyola, I earned a certificate in Data, Assessment, and Evaluation. Currently, I own a consulting firm called ADR Consulting Group, LLC, where I serve as Owner and Principal DEI Strategist. Lastly, I am in a Master’s program at Northwestern University studying organizational change as a methodology to obtaining more inclusive workplace environments.
Tell us a bit as to how you define diversity, equity, and inclusion. What's your philosophy?
I think of diversity as an umbrella topic, looking at the differences in identities of a group of people, in a specific social context. Equity then builds on that awareness of differences and factors in systems and hierarchies that make different life trajectories for those variant identity groups. Lastly, inclusion is an attempt to level that playing field that equity teaches us is biased and unfair. Inclusion is the willingness to combat inequitable systems by intentionally considering those on the margins in our decisions, practices, and procedures.
My philosophy is pretty simple–people are the center of the labor force and people deserve to work in environments with dignity, support, respect, and no harm. This is the bare minimum. But unfortunately, even these basic needs are not always met. I work to help managers and teams understand the significance of honoring the unique experiences of all employees to create more vibrant, meaningful, and yes successful organizations.
What is something you’ve accomplished as a DEI Facilitator that you’re proud of?
My greatest career moments actually when I feel that indescribable feeling of validation that I am in the right place, doing the right thing, and operating in my purpose. Usually, those moments happen when I help clients to achieve a goal they set out to accomplish. There is no trophy award, nor any form of recognition that can match that feeling.
In your mind what does a great employee experience look like?
A great employee experience is one in which there are clearly communicated expectations of their roles and responsibilities. A great employee experience is being at a place of employment where colleagues take the time to get to know one another, beyond their job, to the extent to which people feel comfortable. An optimal employee experience is having opportunities for recognition and gratitude. An ideal employee experience is one where people are paid both fairly and equitably. An ideal employee experience has opportunities for growth and promotion, and leadership and professional development along the way. An ideal employee experience includes healthy work boundaries. And lastly, and certainly not least, a great employee experience is one where people can show up as authentically as they would like in their personhood, knowing that they will be shown respect and dignity for who they are.
Who is someone you admire?
I have always admired my mother and her resilience. I get my strength and endurance from her. She has taught me a great deal about being kind and compassionate, as well as being a person of your word who always operates with integrity.
What do you do for fun?
Life has been pretty busy for me lately, but I always try to squeeze in moments of self-care and fun. I love to read and hope to one day have an immaculately large library like Beast from “Beauty and the Beast.” I love to run, work out, lift weights, and basically any other form of moving my body and sweating. I also really enjoy traveling, albeit not via road trips. Lastly, I find myself smiling and laughing the most when hanging with my family. My two kids have quite the imagination and are little comedians. They crack me up!
