Cassondra Searight is the first full-time Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). She opened the first Prayer and Meditation Room for the global organization in the Arlington, VA location that embraces all religious beliefs. Employees with genetic or acquired neurodivergence also use the quiet space, and some employees use the space to unwind. Cassondra launched the first annual quantitative Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Climate Survey. The survey data enables her to map the responses down two supervisory levels to identify trends and offices with attrition risks and low engagement. The data is used to build engagement plans for specific work areas and quickly address issues.
Offering employee training and professional development opportunities is a critical strategy Cassondra uses to embed DEIA principles in policies and procedures. She developed a robust outreach plan to reach underserved audiences who have never heard of DSS, including hosting minority high school students. In her role, Cassondra has a global reach and leads thought-provoking conversations to shift employees’ mindsets while always learning about cultural differences.