62 Asian, Hispanic graduates honored at EDI dinner
Published 3:09 pm Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Executive Development Institute (EDI) held a gala dinner honoring 62 graduates with more than 250 sponsors, mentors, friends and family in attendance at the Hilton Bellevue on Nov. 3. The graduates represented emerging leaders and managers from leading Pacific Northwest companies.
This year’s EDI graduates represent Microsoft, The Boeing Company, REI, Wells Fargo Bank, Nike and other firms.
Karen Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, gave the keynote address. She pointed out that customers, employees, donors, volunteers and partners are all changing, along with shifting demographics not only in the U.S. but globally as well.
Narasaki stressed the importance of diversity in an institution, and having it be a central component of strategic planning.
“If your employees and management teams aren’t able to work across cultures and languages, your institution will reach a point, in the not too distant future, where you will not be able to grow, to compete, to maximize your profits or serve your mission,” she said.
EDI is the only Pacific Northwest nonprofit organization focusing on leadership training for multiethnic professionals.
