Landmarks Illinois formed its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Collaborative in November 2021 to adhere to the organization’s guiding principles developed during its 50th anniversary year. The DEI Collaborative is a cohort of environmental, economic and racial justice leaders and historic preservation professionals who care about the people of Illinois and the preservation of place. This purposeful community contributes their individual and collective experiences, perspectives, wisdom and insights to help Landmarks Illinois make the transformational change needed for historic preservation to be relevant, just, equitable and inclusive.
DEI COLLABORATIVE MEMBERS (2022-2023)
- CO-CHAIR: Smitha Vasan, IFF
- Quinn Adamowski, Landmarks Illinois
- Gary Anderson, AIA, Studio GWA
- Catherine Baker, FAIA, Nowhere Collaborative
- Tony Borich, Nielsen
- Frank Butterfield, Landmarks Illinois
- Stacy Grundy, Indiana University Health
- Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois
- Lauren Pacheco, Chicago Humanities Festival
- Emilio Padilla, AIA, JGMA
- Sandra Rand, United Airlines (Ret.)
- Tiffanie Schmidt, PMA
- Tiffanie Williams, Landmarks Illinois
- Alex Wolking, Keller Williams ONEChicago
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
Landmarks Illinois recognizes that preservation has historically marginalized communities that are culturally diverse and has reinforced systematic racism. The DEI Collaborative is an effort to be accountable to that history and begin dismantling it. The DEI Collaborative contributes to Landmarks Illinois’ goal to create a national model for a more inclusive preservation practice — one that is transparent, accountable and provides a welcoming environment for everyone. The collaborative also serves as a resource to the organization’s staff and board, providing DEI-related information, presentations and training.
DEI AUDIT
Landmarks Illinois has hired DEI consultant Dina Bailey of Mountain Top Vision to audit and assess Landmarks Illinois’ internal and external operations. With Bailey, the DEI Collaborative is preparing an action plan to guide Landmarks Illinois in the future.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
For more information about the DEI Collaborative, reach out to Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois President and CEO.
(Pictured at top: Landmarks Illinois staff, Skyline Council members and Local advocates gather at Atgled Gardens on Chicago’s Far South Side to heart bomb the “Up Top” building in February 2022. Photo credit: Lewis Purdy)