Dimensions of Diversity A-Z

​Diversity is a foundational aspect in every organization, yet it looks different from one employer to another. Join our panelists for an informative discussion about how their organizations navigate the various dimensions of diversity.

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Moderator
Tanya Bowers (she/her)
​Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion/ Equal Employment Opportunity Manager
​Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Tanya’s professional experience in diversity, equity, & inclusion and organizational development began in 1998. Both as a consultant and an in-house employee, she has led diversity change management efforts for not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, corporations and governmental agencies. She helps majority organizations develop competency and underrepresented communities build capacity. Her work has taken her around the United States, to the Caribbean, and as far as South Africa. 

Prior to receiving a master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Community Psychology, Tanya graduated with honors as an interdisciplinary University Major in Urban Studies. She completed programs at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, Columbia Business School's Institute for Not-for-Profit Management, and the North Carolina Outward Bound School. 

Not long after moving to eastern Washington State, Tanya was appointed to the City of Pasco’s Planning Commission; she currently chairs the commission. In addition to being a part of the Tri-Cities Chapter of the Links, Inc., she has been involved with African American Community, Cultural, and Educational Society.

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Panelist
Kevin Edwards (he/him)
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Bechtel National, Inc.

​Kevin is responsible for developing a vision, strategic Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) roadmap, and enterprise plan to implement key program actions to support progress in our DE&I efforts. This often includes programs to advance diverse talent within leadership roles; talent acquisition process updates to drive intentional and deliberate actions to improve opportunities for existing and new early career diverse talent; and cultivating work or learning environments that encourage and support diversity and inclusive practices.

The overall objective of the DE&I efforts is to ensure each employee can show up to work as they are, have hope and continuous opportunities to advance within our organization, regardless of their race, gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or disability.

Before leading diversity and inclusion, Kevin led the Quality and Six Sigma Infrastructure functional team and other Corporate EPC quality roles. Prior to his quality assignments, Kevin was field engineering manager (PFE) for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project in Virginia. Kevin has also served in roles including lead field engineer, lead resident engineer and project engineering.

Kevin has a Master of Engineering in environmental engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Rutgers University.

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Panelist
Kauser Gwaduri (she/her)
​Coordinator, MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion
Washington State University Tri-Cities

Kauser Gwaduri joined Washington State University Tri-Cities in April of 2021 as the Coordinator for the MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion. Prior to this, Kauser graduated with her Master of Education in Student Development Administration from Seattle University where she worked with international students, co-hosted the university’s first Interfaith Fair, and facilitated a Students of Color Retreat. Kauser originally hails from Florida where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Community Leadership from the University of North Florida. During her time there, she studied abroad in England for an academic year, had an internship on womxn’s empowerment and mentorship, and was highly involved with the university’s Housing and Residence Life. 

Since being in the Tri-Cities, Kauser has joined the Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council, the Immigration Coalition, performed at the Celebration of Community Diversity & Culture, volunteers with Support, Advocacy, & Resource Center (SARC), and is the Aga Khan Education Board member for the Ismaili Muslim community in Seattle.

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