John Soderberg led MyPath’s most recent efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion during the past 18 months, said organization president and CEO Terry Leahy.
MyPath is an employee-owned provider of education, therapeutic and community support services for high-need individuals.
A 24-year veteran of MyPath, Soderberg helped to develop the concept of Pathfinders, a series of owner resource groups dedicated to different facets of DEI. The first Pathfinder groups were focused on race and ethnicity and LGBTQ+ issues. Additional groups now address women’s mental health, abilities and neurodiversity and environmental issues.
Soderberg serves as co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Pathfinders group. He has led efforts to promote an inclusive environment for members of the community. Some initiatives include:
- Use of preferred pronouns in email signatures.
- Designation of preferred names.
- Designation of safe spaces for free discussion and sharing.
- Monitoring of public policy issues of concern to the LGBTQ+ community.
“MyPath, our owners and the people we support have benefited tremendously from John’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community,” Leahy said.