Susan Wilson Honored at Power of Diversity Breakfast

University of Missouri-Kansas City Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion Susan Wilson was one of three leaders honored with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Ace Award at the annual Power of Diversity Breakfast July 25.

Wilson is a licensed clinical psychologist with a multifaceted career in education, healthcare administration, consulting, clinical and media work. In her role as chief diversity officer at UMKC, she leads a diversity organizational development strategy including diversity and inclusion assessment, planning and initiatives for students, faculty, staff and the community.

“I love my job because every day I get to work on something different that advances the role of diversity and inclusion,” said Wilson. “I also learn things about myself that make me a better person.”

Also honored at the breakfast were fellow Ace Award winners Vanessa Sims of UMB Financial Corporation and Carla Gibson of REACH Healthcare Foundation. Christine Kelly of Metropolitan Community College was honored as the 2018 Supplier Diversity Award winner and Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP received the 2018 Champion of Diversity Award.

Also during the event, keynote speaker Glenn Harris gave an interactive presentation on achieving equity and equality. Harris is president of the new Race Forward and publisher of Colorlines.

Wilson said her biracial background – Italian and African American – gave her a passion for understanding how to bridge gaps and how people navigate their differences.
She has more than twenty years of diversity-related experience. Prior to her role as Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion, she served as Associate Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership for the UMKC School of Medicine. She has also provided training and diversity consultation to many businesses and government organizations, and served on the Mayor’s Human Rights Commission.

“Inclusion is really genuinely including people so that their voice counts and their presence counts,” said Wilson, adding that the decision making in teams and organizations is made better by having diverse voices and opinions.

Wilson has contributed her time and skills to numerous civic and community endeavors, including Jackson County COMBAT Commission, Missouri Department of Mental Health Cultural Competency Committee, and the Statewide African American Mental Health Taskforce. She is a former member of the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City and is Chair of the Prime Health Board.