Link to join zoom session: Ed Series AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders)
Meet the Panelists:
Paul Suk-Hyun Yoon (he/him) serves as the Chief Diversity Officer at Vermont State University (VTSU). He believes his purpose in life is to passionately pursue justice to make the world a more equitable place. In addition to his work at VTSU, he is a Partner with CQ Strategies, a VT-based consultancy, which is committed to justice, equity, and social justice work and was the 2023 VT Small Business Administration Minority-Owned Business of the Year. Finally, he is a fourth-year
doctoral student in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program at UVM and is interested in researching the experiences of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Senior Diversity Officers in higher education.
Ita Meno (they/them) With over 20 years of public service experience, Ita focuses on enhancing community engagement and advocating for social justice through their work as a Project & Equity Analyst for the Burlington Electric Department in Vermont. Ita has been actively involved with many community organizations and often uses performance art to challenge societal norms and raise awareness about social issues. Their bold and colorful performances engage audiences in critical conversations about equity and justice. Known for their vibrant personality and direct approach to activism, Ita fosters understanding and empathy within the community.
Their commitment to embedding racial and linguistic equity in Burlington’s sustainability efforts reflects a dedication to building a more inclusive and resilient future for all residents.
Shalini Suryanarayana (she/her) Shalini’s focus as the Director in the State of Vermont Office of Racial Equity is Education & Outreach. She interacts with residents, visitors, press, and other sectors of government. She builds training curricula, liaises with communities around the state, and helps state and local leaders apply an equity lens to their work through education and close communication. In 2021 she was appointed to two Governor’s Commissions in Vermont - the Governor's Workforce Equity and Diversity Council (GWEDC) where she serves as a Co-Chair and the Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD). These efforts afforded her the opportunity to learn even more about social justice issues in Vermont and have further solidified her interest in remediating systemic racial disparities.
Outside of her professional life, Shalini has fallen in love with Vermont’s farmer’s markets, general stores, and the magic of the outdoor wonderland. She has discovered the joy of exploring the backroads on motorcycles, taking her dogs on hikes up muddy trails, and snowshoeing into the woods. She considers herself “a work in progress,” an imperfect environmentalist who is always trying to do better, and an imperfect social justice advocate who is perpetually working at forgiving people who do not use their turn signals.