Ellen Rice Chever
Principal, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Leader, LMI
Ellen Rice Chever’s key accomplishment at LMI involved working with her team to make diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility central to LMI’s culture, growth and performance. DEIA is now fundamental to LMI’s ethos. The company’s strategic approach created a work environment that values individual authenticity and boosts performance, innovation and growth. Key to this change was setting corporate DEIA goals, now tied to the company’s overall performance and executive compensation, promoting a culture of accountability.
LMI’s DEIA efforts led to significant achievements: more executives who are women and come from underserved communities, increasing employee resource groups from three to seven, and improved technology and communication for better accessibility and inclusion.
“Ellen’s exceptional leadership and impassioned commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility at LMI, is evident in her strategic vision and genuine interest in understanding the unique challenges faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds,” said Donna Diederich, LMI chief human resources officer. “That, coupled with her genuine passion, have not only made DEIA an integral part of our organizational culture, but have set a standard for excellence in this regard.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Chever and her team aim to expand their approach to empower employees and drive growth, focusing on DEIA. They plan to improve inclusive learning, professional development and recruiting programs, and use LMI’s ERGs to increase engagement and impact throughout the company, its customers and communities. They are also dedicated to advancing gender inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities in physical and digital workspaces.
“My role is driven by the transformative power of inclusion in the workplace, a reality affirmed by data and my own experiences,” Chever said. “It’s about fostering an environment where respect and genuine acceptance of each individual are fundamental. As DE&I executives, we guide organizations to create high-performing, inclusive spaces, but it’s a collective effort. Everyone plays a part in establishing a culture where belonging is central to our mission.”