Greater Des Moines Partnership Announces Diversity Certification
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020) — The Greater Des Moines Partnership has entered into a licensing agreement with The Society for Diversity Inc. to leverage the intellectual property of the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®. IDC’s rigorous certification system serves as the standard for forward-thinking leadership, and to distinguish professional achievements in the field of diversity management.
The Partnership will offer the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® credentialing programs as a supplemental resource to prepare managers, executives, DEI professionals and human resource professionals for the rigors of culture change and inclusive excellence, as well as equip companies with tools to prepare for the next wave of demographic insights and generational diversity. The announcement was made at the Inclusion Summit hosted by The Partnership and United Way of Central Iowa on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Sanjita Pradhan, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, completed IDC's Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® program in June 2020. Pradhan will facilitate certification prep courses, as well as provide support for teams who seek certification.
“I am excited about bringing this wonderful opportunity to our community,” said Pradhan. “With growing interest from our business and organization Members to invest in DEI work, this opportunity will allow individuals who are leading DEI and interested in doing this work to have a strong foundation and lead with confidence.”
As the number one global credentialing program for equity and inclusion, IDC has thousands of certification candidates and designees in 48+ U.S. states and 17 countries. IDC's certification process consists of a standardized test and peer review of a work-related project to ensure that managers/employees have both the knowledge and skill to lead change in the workplace.
DEI and Culture Change Certification is useful for any leader at all types of organizations, at every stage of development.
"In the 1980's and 1990's, people viewed diversity and inclusion differently. It's now 2020 — post COVID-19, post-George Floyd protests, and post-election,” said Leah Smiley, President of the Society for Diversity. “As employers look towards the future workplace and marketplace, diversity will be the key to seeing and doing things differently."
The Greater Des Moines Partnership offers a variety of resources for businesses, including its Inclusion Guide.
"As companies look for resources to manage diversity, equity and inclusion, The Partnership wants to serve as a credible source, and ensure that it provides added value in respect to economic recovery,” said Mary Bontrager, Executive Vice President of Talent Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “From diversifying the supply chain to stimulating hiring and tax revenues, equity and inclusion provides an opportunity for DSM to remain strong, making the partnership with IDC a natural fit."
Learn more about the introductory to advanced credentialing programs on The Partnership’s website.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.