Mayor announces selection of first Diversity Director

  Mayor Carlo DeMaria recently announced the selection of Cathy L. Draine as Everett’s first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

  “I appreciate that residents have shared with me their thoughts on how important it is for the city to have individuals in leadership roles who reflect the diversity in our community and who are dedicated to helping make sure that all our residents share the same experience of living in a safe and welcoming community where government is accessible to them,” said DeMaria. “I offered the DEI Director position to Cathy because of her extensive work in community engagement and especially because of the work that she has done in other communities to aid in the stability and increased social mobility of individuals and families living at or below the poverty line.”

  The DEI Director position will have both an internal and external focus. The Director will be responsible for increasing the awareness and understanding of the best practices for government workers to engage professionally and responsibly with diverse residents to provide a positive customer experience. In addition, the Director will assist the Administration with its ongoing efforts to recruit and retain an increasingly diverse workforce, and the DEI Director will be responsible for making sure that recommendations from the city’s Diversity Commission are implemented and will support the commission’s ongoing work in the city. Most importantly, the DEI Director will be responsible for engaging with residents, social service, health and human service and religious organizations across the city to facilitate meaningful conversations on additional ways to ensure that city government is accessible and is working to meet the needs of all residents.

  Since 2014, Draine has served as the Director of Resident Services/Executive Director for UHM Properties/Neighborhood Network Center, Inc. of Boston. Since November 2020 she has served as the Director of Community Engagement for the State Police Association of Massachusetts. Draine also has held a series of program leadership roles and positions with United South End Settlements, the Freedom House, Pendle Hill Quaker Center for Study and Contemplation, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Friends for Life Corporation and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Draine holds a Masters of Arts in Theatre Education-Community Track from Emerson College, a Master of Arts, Cultural Production from Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Hollins University. She is expected to assume her role with the city in November.