Board Perspective

I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of an industry that understands the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I have only had the opportunity to serve on the IPMI Board of Directors for a year, but I have been a part of the parking industry for nearly three decades.

I distinctly remember attending my first IPI conference because, at the time, we had not yet introduced mobility to the title. It was in Orlando, Florida, in the late ’90s. I remember being overwhelmed and amazed by this great industry and all it offered. However, I also remember the lack of diversity in both color and gender represented at the conference. I am happy to say the landscape has dramatically changed for the better. This evolution in our industry has been both organic and intentional.

I have had the privilege of serving on a myriad of committees, starting with the New Members Committee, where I had the privilege of welcoming newcomers to both our industry and our organization, and then the Awards Committee, where I have witnessed our community’s amazing work building and revitalizing parking decks – artistic expressions of public art and sustainability. Parking and mobility have made amazing strides, and I am a parking nerd who is elated to see the growth. I am constantly amazed at how parking garages have been transitioned from blocks of concrete to works of art and design. Coming off the heels of our annual IPMI conference, it was exhilarating to see all the professionals in our field learn, share, and grow.

As an African American woman, I am most excited to see the strides women have made in parking and mobility, earning their CAPP certifications, and serving in leadership roles. Dedicating a month to the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion is admirable and the staff and leadership should be proud and commended for taking on what can be, for some, a controversial and sensitive topic.

Today’s IPMI has webinars, continuing education courses, and an emphasis on ensuring we respect and honor different perspectives and viewpoints. The reality is the only way we move forward in this area is to address, talk, empathize, and respect each other. IPMI makes room for representation and unheard voices. I could not be prouder to be a part of such an impactful organization and am honored to sit on the Board of Directors. ◆