AIR's Cecilia Newman Honored as Emerging DEI Leader by Diversity MBA Media

Cecilia Newman, senior program manager in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and vice chair of the DEI Council at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), is being recognized by Diversity MBA Media for making strong contributions to advance equity through leadership and service. Newman is being honored as one of the publication's Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leaders focused on workplace inclusion and a commitment to community.

Newman joined AIR as a DEI consultant in 2017 and became embedded in the institution's efforts to build a foundation for an equitable and inclusive workplace. In 2022 she was promoted to senior DEI program manager because of her active partnership in driving major initiatives and shaping evidence-based and benchmarked internal practices.

Newman continues to play a key role in the implementation of programs and practices that further drive DEI into all aspects of AIR's work. This is evident through the DEI recognitions that AIR has received, including Seramount's Inclusion Index list for Workplace Diversity, Diversity MBA's "50 Out Front: Best Places to Work for Women and Diverse Managers," and Disability:IN's Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.

AIR's DEI strategy is based on four pillars-workforce and work environment; cultural competence; aligning its work and organizational identity and reputation; and sustainability and growth. These pillars are fully integrated into the institution's broader organizational strategy, its approach to research and evaluation, and how AIR staff deliver training and technical assistance. In addition to her work at AIR, Newman speaks and presents on DEI and cultural competence, including sharing insights at this year's Disability Matters Conference.

Diversity MBA Media selected the honorees based upon their extended tenure, community involvement, leadership acumen, and commitment to the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Newman and the other award winners will be honored at Diversity MBA Media's Annual National Leadership Conference in October, where they will receive custom awards and profiles in the organization's Winter 2024 Top 100 Under 50 signature issue.

About AIR
Established in 1946, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of education, health, and the workforce. AIR's work is driven by its mission to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world. With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR has offices across the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit www.air.org.