Cheryl Louzado has been appointed the university’s inaugural Director of Equity, Inclusion and Anti-oppression in McMaster’s Equity and Inclusion Office.

“I’m delighted to welcome Cheryl, who is an outstanding communicator and a long -standing champion of EDI with a profound understanding of the complexities of working in this space, as well as its intersections with freedom of expression, scholarly research and our students’ lived experiences,” says Barrington Walker, vice-provost, Equity and Inclusion.

“She brings a wealth of experience and insights to the Equity and Inclusion Office, as well as a tremendous commitment to build more inclusive communities.”

“I can’t think of someone better qualified to lead the work to integrate anti-oppression, diversity, equity and inclusion into every aspect of the university.”

Before coming to McMaster, Louzado worked for 12 years at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, a pan-Canadian health organization, most recently leading its Equity and Inclusion portfolio.

A respected leader and communicator, she also has extensive experience in embedding an equity and inclusion lens in leadership, board governance, strategic partnerships, the employee experience, corporate infrastructure, performance measurement and evaluation, and to funded initiatives that advance health equity in cancer systems and programs across Canada.

“I am honoured and excited to join the Equity and Inclusion Office team in continuing to build and nurture a more inclusive and equitable McMaster community,” Louzado says.

“My entire career has been focused on advancing equity and inclusion through the centering of communities who have been marginalized and their lived and living experience.

“McMaster University’s commitment to inclusive excellence is what drew me here.”

As part of her role, Louzado will lead the university’s renewal of its EDI Strategic Plan, and the design and delivery of the university’s equity, diversity, and anti-oppression programs and initiatives.

She will also facilitate the resurgence of of EDI communities of practice, supporting and balancing diverse goals as well as cross-cutting institutional initiatives.