Meet the New Minett Professor Sady Alvarado-Fischer | October 2024
Sady Alvarado-Fischer is the 2024-2025 Frederick H. Minett Professor at RIT. She is the vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and is an award-winning Queer Latina changemaker. She is a strong advocate for social justice with a special interest in women, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ issues. The Minett Professorship brings multicultural professionals to the RIT campus for one academic year to share their expertise with students, staff and faculty. Alvarado-Fischer was selected by the Minett Professors Emeritus and appointed to the position by RIT President David Munson and Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Keith Jenkins. We chatted with Alvarado-Fischer and first asked what her reaction was to being named a Minett Professor.
Alvarado-Fischer: I felt a lot; excited, humbled, overwhelmed, curious, grateful. After learning of who nominated me – a group of amazing men and women who came together, spoke my name in rooms I was not in, and advocated for me – and their support for me, my experience and my abilities, I feel a huge sense of gratitude for my community and the people in my corner.
While you may not have firmed up the specifics of what you hope to do during your time at RIT, what in general will be your focus?
There is so much to take in and learn – I’m excited about partnering and enhancing what is in place today. I’m especially looking forward to hearing from students, faculty and staff on what more they want to see from an inclusion, diversity, equity and access perspective. What do they love? Where do they see opportunities? And how might I be able to help impact those changes with others on and off campus? The ability to both learn from the campus community and share my expertise will shape so much of my time at RIT. I’m truly excited to create positive change together!
Your work in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion is lengthy and outstanding. When did you first become interested in DEI? Was there any particular event either personal or something you witnessed that spurred this passion?
I started my career as a sexual health educator, with a focus on HIV education and prevention. In my role, I presented to folks across Monroe County – everyday was different. In the morning, I could be at Monroe Correctional Facility working with minors; in the afternoon, at a halfway house with women in recovery; and at night I was playing condom bingo with college students. I was exposed to so many different populations!
What really got me into the work was the stigma and stereotypes I witnessed from those not working with different segments of our community. What could I do to help address these misconceptions and build bridges? I started with training and education as my tools for change; today I use those tools to inform strategy to influence institutional and structural changes. I believe we change the world one conversation at a time! One conversation can set change into positive motion.
As Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, you have successfully led many DEI initiatives that have resulted in several recognitions for workplace inclusion. Why is DEI important to everyone?
Each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We all want to be valued as individuals and feel that we belong and that we matter. When we acknowledge each other’s innate humanity, we can see that everyone is included in DEI, so it matters to everyone. It’s about connection, being curious and learning about others, and taking thoughtful action. It means we all play a part in creating spaces that value our unique contributions. When we create greater access, it is greater access for all of us.
While many colleges and universities like RIT are committed to DEI programs, we can’t overlook the current debate taking place. Many institutions of higher education- and- corporations are rolling back their commitment to DEI initiatives. How much of a threat is this and what does the future of DEI look like to you?
I truly believe that the current disconnect comes from the feeling that DEI is for some and not others. When any of us feel left out or left behind, it can feel overwhelming, alarming, and lead to resistance to change. It’s crucial that we hear each other, see different perspectives, and leave space for imperfections. That when we strive to undo past harm and address barriers that impact underrepresented and historically marginalized communities, that we are intentional and purposeful in our approach so that we foster a culture where all identities, voices and experiences are included, heard and celebrated. It’s not a quick, easy answer but such work rarely is. DEI is not and should not be an “us” vs “them” approach. If we say DEI is for everyone, we have to practice that.
You have a strong passion for women, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ issues. What advice, in general, would you give college students who are navigating in these spaces?
First, I would say that you are not alone and there are communities waiting to embrace you! “It gets better” is often said and it’s repeated because it’s true! For those who are questioning or even have others questioning their identities, I like to say “There is no one way to be [fill in the blank.]” No one gets to define for you what it means to be Latinx, a woman, Queer, etc. Labels exist to help people understand themselves better, to provide language to help express who they are. Labels are not meant to be another system to conform to. However you choose to define yourself, it doesn’t make you any less you!
Let’s get to know a little bit more about you outside of your work with DEI. When you are not working and you have no commitments, what would we find you doing?
Spending time with my family – they are everything to me! Between my wife and I, we have three boys: 9-year-old twins and a 24-year-old. We enjoy being active together. Whether it’s playing in the backyard, going bike riding, baking cupcakes or cookies, or watching the Amazing Race, together is our favorite place to be. Sports are a big part of our lives together. My wife and I even coach the twins’ soccer team!
Any hobbies that you enjoy or pets at home? If so, tell us about them.
Does binge watching count as a hobby? We have a 3-year-old pug, Rainbow. She is the baby girl of our family, my only (very spoiled) daughter. Rainbow is loving, affectionate, energetic, NEVER tired, and always down for kisses to brighten even the worst of days. The kids and I couldn’t love her more!
What is your hometown and for what is it best known?
I moved a lot as a child, averaging a new home every two years until I was a teenager. I was born in Honduras, lived in Germany, Switzerland, and in various States. When I started High School, we moved to the Rochester area. To me, Rochester is all about community, challenging the status quo, and pride in our past and present. Today, Rochester is the place I call home, where I am growing roots and raising my family.
Best advice you have received?
I am fortunate to have so many incredible people in my circles and receive tons of great advice! With the current landscape and leading the work I do, The Two Truths have been top of mind in guiding many of my decisions as a leader. This framing came from The New Essentials of Leadership, a program created by an incredible Leadership Coach, Shahmeen Sadiq, Founder and CEO of Anjali Leadership Inc. I was privileged to participate in this program when we piloted it in my workplace. To this day, I keep these Two Truths in mind:
The Two Truths
I am enough, just as I am.
The skills, qualities and experiences that have brought me to this moment are perfect and have supported me to become the leader and human being that I am today. I am enough, I am not broken and nothing about me needs to be fixed.
AND
I am a work in progress.
There is so much that I do not know. There are things I have not had the opportunity to experience yet, which could be immensely useful in supporting me to be become even more conscious, courageous, and compassionate in all arenas of my life. I am open and willing to consider new practices and possibilities, and I am at choice about which ones to take into my life and leadership.