Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) has always been the tent-pole to our mission and vision of Saga Education. We aspire to remain at the cutting edge of educational innovation and impact. Meet our DEIB committee members and discover how they integrate DEIB into their personal lives and nurture a sense of belonging at all levels of our organization.

Adriana Colom Cruz (she/her/hers)
Researcher

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What DEIB topics or issues are you most passionate about, and why are they important?

Gender equity with an intersectional lens, focusing on culture and ethnicity.

In a few sentences, explain why Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are important to you personally.

As a social psychologist, DEIB matters deeply to me because it’s about fairness, respect, and creating a world where every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. Personally, I believe that our differences make us stronger. I’m passionate about creating environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Are you engaged in DEIB initiatives outside of Saga? If so, please share a bit about your external involvement.

As an adjunct faculty member, I conduct research with undergraduate students from the University of Puerto Rico on topics like colonial mentality and gender discrimination in Puerto Rico and accessible self-care practices for underserved populations.

What goals do you hope to achieve through your work in DEIB, both at Saga and beyond?

Through my work at Saga, my goals are raising awareness, fostering inclusivity, building relationships, and supporting professional development. Through my teaching and research, I aim to support my students’ professional development, measure psychological outcomes related to DEIB, advocate through education, and impact overall student success.

Is there someone or something that inspired you to become involved in DEIB efforts? If yes, please share.

Yes, there’s someone who deeply inspired my involvement in DEIB efforts – my mom. She’s a remarkable Latina in STEM who excelled in her field and embraced her femininity with confidence. Elle Woods in real life! Her resilience and ability to break barriers motivated me to work towards a more equitable and inclusive world where women can be authentic and succeed, regardless of their background.

What advice or encouragement would you offer to your colleagues at Saga who want to get more involved in DEIB work?

My advice is to start by taking small steps, such as attending DEIB training or joining related discussions and actively listening and learning from the experiences of underrepresented groups.

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Read our three-year DEIB Strategic Plan on how we will use these work components to accelerate educational equity through the proven power of high-impact tutoring.

 

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) has always been the tent-pole to our mission and vision of Saga Education. We aspire to remain at the cutting edge of educational innovation and impact. Meet our DEIB committee members and discover how they integrate DEIB into their personal lives and nurture a sense of belonging at all levels of our organization.

Denise PG (she/her/hers)
Senior Product Manager

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What DEIB topics or issues are you most passionate about, and why are they important?

It’s hard to pick a single topic because I think all aspects of the DEIB work are equally important.

In a few sentences, explain why Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are important to you personally.

The intersectionality of my identity causes multiple DEIB topics to be impactful and relevant to my lived experience. That being said, I’ve also learned about other identities and issues that are not a part of my experience and are equally important to me. I also believe that if we as an organization plan to mark changes around equity, then it’s important that we start internally.

Is there someone or something that inspired you to become involved in DEIB efforts? If yes, please share.

When I first joined SAGA, it was a new company still establishing systems and policies. As I witnessed certain things happen, I knew that if I was going to work here long term, I wanted to be a part of creating a positive, inclusive, equitable culture within our organization. So when the opportunity arose, I was happy to join.

What challenges have you encountered or observed in the field of DEIB, and what solutions do you propose or support?

I think the biggest challenge of work in regard to DEIB is the fact that it requires a lot of effort, a lot of intentionality, and a lot of acknowledging and having conversations about uncomfortable and ugly truths and realities. So it can be difficult to get people to willingly engage in this work, but when it does happen, it is extremely meaningful and can create so much change.

What advice or encouragement would you offer to your colleagues at Saga who want to get more involved in DEIB work?

I would encourage my colleagues to check out our DEIB events. It’s a good way to engage. They are as informative as they are fun and engaging.

How do you see DEIB efforts making a difference at Saga Education, and what would you like to see in the future?

I definitely believe the DEIB work that we’ve done so far has made a difference and I believe we have a very inclusive, diverse workforce. As an organization, we do a lot to celebrate diversity and to educate ourselves to bring awareness within the DEIB space. I definitely think we have also made steps towards creating more equitable practices and policies. Moving forward I would really just like to see us continue on that path and continue doing that work so that we can as an organization be the best we can to support the students that we serve.

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Read our three-year DEIB Strategic Plan on how we will use these work components to accelerate educational equity through the proven power of high-impact tutoring.

 

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) has always been the tent-pole to our mission and vision of Saga Education. We aspire to remain at the cutting edge of educational innovation and impact. Meet our DEIB committee members and discover how they integrate DEIB into their personal lives and nurture a sense of belonging at all levels of our organization.

Margeaux McClelland (she/her/hers)
Art Director

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What DEIB topics or issues are you most passionate about, and why are they important?

As a half-Filipino, Asian and Pacific Islander inclusion and celebration mean a lot to me! However, I am even more interested in DEIB’s work surrounding topics that are off my radar – there is a lot I can learn by being involved.

In a few sentences, explain why Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are important to you personally.

I am a biracial woman in an interracial marriage. I have many friends and relatives from varied ethnic backgrounds and identities, many of whom are neurodivergent. The mission of the DEIB to promote awareness and community for diversity is near to my heart, as most of my loved ones would fall into one or more marginalized groups.

Are you engaged in DEIB initiatives outside of Saga? If so, please share a bit about your external involvement.

I am part of a POC artist collective. We support each other’s artistic journeys and careers, spend time together, and help each other out through difficult challenges. Every day, my life is blessed by them!

What goals do you hope to achieve through your work in DEIB, both at Saga and beyond?

My DEIB goals include improving empathy, understanding, and communication. I want to live a richer life and work more effectively by becoming more acquainted with lesser-known topics. I want to build friendships and community where it wasn’t previously possible due to my own limited understanding of people. Working with DEIB inside Saga will help me nurture those connections everywhere!

Is there someone or something that inspired you to become involved in DEIB efforts? If yes, please share.

After reviewing my work performance from the previous year, I decided that I could put more effort into interacting with and learning about people outside of my usual circle. I want to put more energy into stretching myself and gaining a fuller understanding of my neighbors and the world.

What challenges have you encountered or observed in the field of DEIB, and what solutions do you propose or support?

The answer is always ignorance – both in myself and in others. When we don’t know what we don’t know and don’t open our minds enough to care, that’s when callous actions are likely to occur. We combat ignorance with education and callousness with sincerity and patience. The first step to broader inclusion is awareness!

What advice or encouragement would you offer to your colleagues at Saga who want to get more involved in DEIB work?

You can always attend DEIB events or get involved in their meetings, but there are more opportunities if you look for them. Try having a work lunch with someone you don’t know or arrange to work with someone outside your typical circle. You’ll learn a lot! Outside of the workday, there are many volunteer opportunities in your community, and each one will bring you together with a surprisingly diverse and passionate group of people. Take a chance and sign up for a local volunteer event!

How do you see DEIB efforts making a difference at Saga Education, and what would you like to see in the future?

My peers love the DEIB events! When I see their engaged faces during meetings, I know the DEIB is doing important work. People see the DEIB’s efforts and are encouraged by it. It’s a great reminder that we live in a world where people care about you.

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Read our three-year DEIB Strategic Plan on how we will use these work components to accelerate educational equity through the proven power of high-impact tutoring.

 

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) has always been the tent-pole to our mission and vision of Saga Education. We aspire to remain at the cutting edge of educational innovation and impact. Meet our DEIB committee members and discover how they integrate DEIB into their personal lives and nurture a sense of belonging at all levels of our organization.

Melody Thomas (she/her/hers)
HR Manager, Employee Relations and DEIB

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What DEIB topics or issues are you most passionate about, and why are they important?

Truthfully, ALL DEIB topics and issues drive passion for me. DEI and creating spaces of belonging will always be a top priority and of great importance. I see it as an everyday thing, the same as a daily regimen or as common as ‘hi and hello.’

In a few sentences, explain why Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are important to you personally.

DEI is important to me personally because I feel like I have witnessed a time when things weren’t equitable. I have been in environments that are not diverse and have felt like an outcast, thus not belonging. It does not feel good, it is simply wrong. I want to be a part of every conversation that leads to opportunity, bridging the gaps and systemic changes, and doing my part to promote healthy conversations that allow for awareness and change. Everything starts with a conversation, and then there’s action! I want to listen, talk, and then lead!

Are you engaged in DEIB initiatives outside of Saga? If so, please share a bit about your external involvement.

I currently hold the Diversity Chair position for my local SHRM board and serve on another board that serves tomorrow’s leaders.

What goals do you hope to achieve through your work in DEIB, both at Saga and beyond?

How much time do you have? I don’t think I could list just one or even a top five. But what I do know is that I want team members to feel like they have a space that serves them and fills their cups.

Is there someone or something that inspired you to become involved in DEIB efforts? If yes, please share.

Not anyone directly. I am influenced by my experiences and the impact of others. Again, DEIB is as constant or common as a daily greeting.

What challenges have you encountered or observed in the field of DEIB, and what solutions do you propose or support?

You have to have a strong team of support. DEIB is not a one-person thing, it is definitely all hands.

What advice or encouragement would you offer to your colleagues at Saga who want to get more involved in DEIB work?

Just come, just try — hang out with the DEIB Committee during a monthly planning meeting or join the space. The DEIB Committee serves Saga; we work for Saga. It is not about anyone’s individual goals or agendas. It is about what’s best for Saga.

How do you see DEIB efforts making a difference at Saga Education, and what would you like to see in the future?

With regard to making a difference, I get regular feedback on our DEIB efforts and the committee. Team members seem to enjoy it and find value in the DEIB efforts. What do I want to see in the future… I mean, EVERYTHING – lol!

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Read our three-year DEIB Strategic Plan on how we will use these work components to accelerate educational equity through the proven power of high-impact tutoring.