The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Lisa L. Edmonds has been named Allegheny County’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer and will lead the Department of Equity and Inclusion.
“Equity and inclusion is a big part of what our administration has strived for, and why the decision was made to rename the department and expand its mission,” said Rich Fitzgerald, the county’s chief executive, in a release. “Lisa has been in the department and brings a lot of good experience and ideas to the table. I’m excited to see what she does there to ensure that we have a government, society, and business community open to all.”
County Manager William D. McKain voiced that he was “looking forward to working with Lisa and the department staff to support an environment at the county that is inclusive and equitable.”
“I am excited to continue leading the department’s efforts to ensure that MWDBEs have maximum opportunity to participate on county contracts,” Edmonds said in the release provided to the Courier. “I am also looking forward to collaborating with current partners and developing new partnerships to share and implement best practices for equity and inclusion which are vital for regional success. We have to listen, look inward, be open to addressing hard questions, and make change.”
LISA EDMONDS, fourth from left, was part of the MWDBE Governmental Committee’s 2017 inductees into its Hall of Fame. The other inductees were, from left: Judy McNeil, Duvall Aiken, Ruth Byrd Smith, Chandler D. Wolf and Diane I. Daniels. (Photo by Michael Anthony)
Edmonds is no stranger to Pittsburgh or the Allegheny County Department of Equity and Inclusion. The Steel City native was the deputy director of the department from 2005-2019. She most recently served as acting director of the department, and in that time, she’s expanded collaborative efforts, built key external relationships, educated and created additional opportunities for Minority Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms, and continued to manage the certification program.
The press release also noted that Edmonds served in the Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office from 1993-1999 as an Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise Technical Assistance Specialist.
Edmonds is also involved with various organizations such as the Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach (SPEO) and the MWDBE Governmental Committee that also assist minority and women businesses. She is also a Certified Compliance Administrator (CCA) and received her Master Compliance Administrator (MCA) certifications from the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA). An electrical engineer, Edmonds earned her degree from Hampton University in Virginia.
The county said that Edmonds was selected as the new Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer even after a rigorous nationwide search was conducted. The release said that Edmonds’ “experience and commitment to the mission of the department stood out.”
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