Kitchener hires Suzanne Charles Watson as Director of Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives team

The City of Kitchener has taken the first steps in the establishment of its Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives team, announcing on Monday the hiring of the five-person staff team’s Director, Suzanne Charles Watson. An equity, diversity and inclusion specialist “living and working for equity, inclusion, human rights and social justice”, Charles Watson will begin her work on June 7th.

Established through the Mayor’s Task Force in October of 2020, the Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives team is expected to provide the city and its council with direction and lived experience in issues of which it’s name is derived, as well as “social issues such as homelessness, mental health and addictions”. In addition, the City of Kitchener has since stated that the team will lead staff in removing systemic barriers and racism within the corporation, supporting the work of creating an inclusive and diverse workforce while also enhancing the city’s engagement with “members of the community who have been traditionally excluded.”

Speaking to the Director’s hiring process during Monday’s special council meeting was Victoria Raab, General Manager for Corporate Services at the City of Kitchener. According to Raab, hiring the position of Director was the first goal of forming the team, with staff engaging an outside consultant with expertise in equity-focused recruitment.

“Responses we received to the posting was outstanding,” said Raab. “We had many excellent candidates apply, and the interview panel also included community members from equity seeking groups with lived experience and expertise in the gender equity, housing and homelessness portfolios”.

According to Raab, Charles Watson’s first duties up beginning her role with the city will be in hiring the other four positions of the Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives team – beginning with the Senior Indigenous Advisor role.

Reviewing Charles Watson’s credentials, Raab said the Director has more than 15 years of experience in “successfully designing and managing large-scale interdisciplinary research initiatives” as well as “developing research driven, equity responsive and inclusive policy in organizations that cross academia as well as healthcare.” It’s also noted that Charles Watson has conducted “extensive training” on EDI issues, creating and curating online resources for related initiatives as well. Prior to taking the role with the City, Charles Watson has worked as Senior Program Manager with the Research Institute at the Hospital for Sick Children, working to “mainstream equity, diversity and inclusion best practices”.

Speaking to city staff on Monday, Charles Watson said she was “delighted” to be joining the city’s team, looking forward to working with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, colleagues at the city and community members in “creating equitable and inclusive spaces” for the City of Kitchener. In working with the yet to be hired staff members of the team, Charles Watson said she’s excited to work toward making Kitchener a preferred destination to “live, to work, to raise families and to do business.”

You can read more on Suzanne Charles Watson’s background and the work of the City of Kitchener’s Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives here.