José G. González was appointed as the first equity officer for the East Bay Regional Park District, tasked with leading diversity, equity and inclusion. González begins in the role on Saturday, Dec. 18.
The new role aims to improve access to and use of parks and services, to develop public processes that reflect the community’s diversity, and to help diversify the district’s workforce, in part by eliminating systemic barriers to employment and promotion.
González is described as a professional educator with training in the fields of education and conservation. He founded Latino Outdoors and is a partner at the Avarna Group, which focuses on equity and inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator.
“Equity and inclusion begin from within, so I am thrilled and ready to support and lead the work that the Park District has prioritized for the agency to represent and reflect the diversity of its community,” González.
