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Olivarez to research nonprofit sector's inclusion practices

Jaun Olivarez
Grand Valley State University

Shifting U.S. demographics is impacting how the nonprofit sector serves communities. As communities diversify there’s a growing awareness and need for philanthropy to diversify with it. A new hire at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University whose role is working toward understanding societal impacts and change in the nonprofit sector.

Juan Olivarez served as President of Grand Rapids Community College for nearly a decade and six years as president of Aquinas College. He’s known for his expertise in education and nonprofit leadership.

He was president and CEO if the Kalamazoo Community Foundation where he was known for “innovative community initiatives.”

Now, Olivarez will serve as the Dorothy A. Johnson Center's Distinguished Scholar in Residence for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

This is where he’ll be studying demographic shifts and their impacts on philanthropy and how the sector can improve inclusive practices.

In a news release from GVSU, it outlines some key data points; “The nonprofit sector is a $1.6 trillion industry in the United States, and 1 in 10 American workers are employed in the field. However, people of color and other minority populations tend to be underrepresented in leadership positions in the industry.”

Olivarez will be exploring ways to advance and inclusive practices including the development of more diverse talent pipelines. This will also include nonprofit integration of diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

The Distinguished Scholar in Residence position is funded in part by grants from the Frey Foundation, the Wege Foundation, the Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation and support from Dorothy A. Johnson.

Patrick Center, WGVU News.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.