In the News

Diversity Council selects new executive director

from staff reports

November 17, 2005

The next executive director of the Diversity Council in Rochester is coming from within the organization.

Kay Hocker, education director of the council since June 2002, will take over the top position Jan. 1 following the retirement next month of George Thompson, who has been executive director for 10 years. A tribute dinner to honor Thompson is planned for Jan. 12.

The Diversity Council Board of Directors unanimously accepted Hocker's nomination during a meeting Wednesday.

"I look forward with great eagerness to our future, to fulfilling the mission of the Diversity Council and to being a leader, as well as an asset for our community, as we work towards inclusivity and equity," Hocker said.

Hocker has led the expansion of the Diversity Council's Prejudice Reduction Workshops, ongoing quality improvements, and an increase among the diversity of program facilitators. She's had a significant part in developing a new Diversity Toolkit for Business, staff training for schools, and the White Privilege workshop.

During the past three years, Hocker also has been a training specialist for Express Personnel Services, developing job-related training for English Language Learners, and leading the efforts to educate about socioeconomic differences through Community Action Program and the Framework for Understanding Poverty workshops.

© 2005 Post Bulletin. Used by permission.

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