Delaware County’s First Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Joins County Team

Released: April 28, 2022

Lauren Footman began working as the County’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on April 11. Footman, a lifelong Delco resident, brings more than a decade of combined experience in public policy and organizational management to the position.

“We are thrilled to have Lauren serve as Delaware County’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Not only does she bring a deep commitment to the position, Lauren brings specific skills which are critical to ensuring that every part of county government is utilizing its resources wisely and expanding opportunity for residents across the county.”

The creation of a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been a priority of the current Council. The newly created position will have a broad mandate to review current government operations, including, but not limited to operations of the County’s new health department, guidance to the County’s Human Resources Department and the Purchasing Office, support for Parks and Recreation, and support to criminal justice.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office will:

• Provide leadership to ensure all members of the community have access to opportunities and thrive in safe and healthy communities
• Cultivate strategic partnerships and focus on education of internal and external stakeholders
• Support the development of a workforce that encompasses the diversity of the community while cultivating a culture that is rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Strengthen relationships with community partners and businesses to ensure they are reflected and respected within County operations and they have equitable access to services and resources

“I am excited to bring my professional, academic, and life experience to this role, to help make our government an employer of choice, and work to further an internal culture and external reputation that constituents, communities, and organizations feel seen, represented, and respected,” said Lauren Footman. “A few of my key goals will be to facilitate training, continuing to diversify our workforce, procurement and supplier diversity, environmental justice, health and digital equity, equitable budgeting, and community engagement. “

Lauren Footman, a Yeadon native, is a graduate of the William Penn School District and Bryn Mawr College where she majored in English and double minored in Political Science and African Studies. At Bryn Mawr, she chartered the school’s first collegiate chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and received the Thomas Prize for Diversity, an award that recognizes students with a demonstrated, lifelong commitment to learning around diversity. Footman expanded her education with a master’s degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to assuming the role as Delaware County’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Ms. Footman most recently served at the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence as the Director of Outreach and Equity.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Footman has continued her commitment to creating opportunities in her home county. She serves as Chair of the Delaware County Women’s Commission and as a member of the Delaware County Chamber’s Board of Directors.