Leadership and Advisors

Two advisory boards guide the direction of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work at Georgetown Lombardi.

These are the:

Georgetown Lombardi Advisory Council

The Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council’s strategic objectives are to guide the Georgetown Lombardi DEI efforts to execute the cancer center’s DEI Plan.

More specifically, to:

  • Provide overall feedback, input and direction on the Georgetown Lombardi DEI aims
  • Provide feedback on the development of diversity metrics
  • Provide feedback and identifying strategies and outlets for broad outreach to recruit trainees, postdoctoral fellows and faculty from groups underrepresented in cancer research
  • Provide input on activities to enhance trainee participation in cancer research
  • Review strategies to foster retention, promote inclusion, and advance leadership among women and groups underrepresented in cancer research
  • Help communicate DEI activities and progress to relevant constituencies across the cancer center

Georgetown Lombardi DEI Advisory Council Members

Avonia Richardson-Miller

Avonia Richardson-Miller, EdD, MA, CDE® (Chair)

Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, Hackensack Meridian Health

Kristi Graves

Kristi Graves, PhD (Co-Chair / Ex-Officio )

Associate Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dr. Dash

Chiranjeev Dash, MBBS, PhD, MPH

Director, Georgetown Lombardi Community Outreach and Engagement (COE)

Jigar Desai

Jigar Desai, PhD

DEI Liaison, Lombardi Cancer Host Interactions Program

Rev. Dr. John J. Cox

Rev. Dr. John J. Cox

Senior Pastor of the Historic Vermont Avenue Baptist Church

David Kountz

David Kountz, MD, PhD

Professor of Medicine, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Hackensack Meridian Health

Sandy Johnson Harris

Sandy Johnson Harris

VP of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity, MedStar Health

Gina McKinney

Rev. Gina McKinney

Community Outreach and Education Community Advisory Board, DEI Liaison, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, NJ

Luz Ruiz

Luz Ruiz, PhD Candidate

Trainee Representative, Georgetown PhD Student in Philosophy in Tumor Biology

Luz Sanchez Romero

Luz Sanchez Romero, MD, PhD

DEI Liaison, Cancer Prevention and Control;  Co-Chair, Faculty Diversity and Inclusion

Olga Rodriguez

Olga Rodriguez, MD, PhD

DEI Liaison, CCB; IDEAL Grant PI

Becca Riggins

Rebecca Riggins, PhD

Associate Director, Education and Training (CRTEC) Georgetown Lombardi

Georgetown Lombardi Early Career Leadership Council

Participating members of the Early Career Leadership Council (ECLC) support the vision to increase diversity within Georgetown Lombardi membership and leadership, and create and sustain a culture of equity and inclusive excellence for individuals across all levels of experience and rank. Members of the ECLC provide input and guidance to the Georgetown Lombardi Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts for ways to support early and midcareer faculty along with sharing strategic ideas and input on leadership development opportunities. Early Career Leadership Council Members are elected every two years.