The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced today “a transformative investment” in the county’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

On Thursday, January 9, the Montgomery County Salary Board authorized the hiring of up to four additional DEI positions, including two deputy chief DEI officers, a director of immigrant affairs, and a senior administrative assistant. The office is currently a staff of one.

According to their press release, the county’s DEI office opened in 2021 and “works to ensure that County policies, programs, and practices reflect the principles of fairness, respect, and inclusion.”

“This investment demonstrates this Board’s commitment to respect for every individual and the talents they can bring to public service,” said Neil K. Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “By fostering representation that includes our entire community, we can continue to hire the best of the best, ensuring our workforce is as innovative, skilled, and diverse as the people we serve. These new positions will drive meaningful impact across the County, preparing us to meet future challenges and ensuring we maintain our commitment to merit and excellence.”

“Equity doesn’t happen by chance—it requires deliberate action and sustained commitment,” said Jamila H. Winder, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “By investing in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Montgomery County will continue to be a leader in creating a community that is inclusive, supportive, and equitable for all. This added capacity will allow us to deepen our impact and expand programs that make Montgomery County a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We thank our Chief DEI Officer Donna Richemond, who has been a tireless advocate for equity in Montgomery County; her leadership and efforts have laid the foundation for this critical expansion.”

According to the county, the new positions:

• Increase accountability through data, by using data to inform strategic initiatives, track progress, and measure outcomes;
• Improve internal awareness, leadership development, training efforts, and equitable treatment in the workplace, by offering more programs to address issues such as equity-minded decision-making and unconscious bias;
• Enhance our workforce’s understanding and knowledge of key learnings, thus making the County not only a better place to work, but a better service provider to an inclusive community; and
• Ensure that accessibility and inclusivity principles are incorporated across all County policies, programs, and services, making them accessible to all.

More information about the county’s DEI office can be found here.

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