Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee

Destination Imagination is an equitable and inclusive organization, affirming our core values of respect, collaboration, stewardship, perseverance, and integrity. In January 2021, we formed an internal DEIB committee, including members of the DI staff and all major stakeholder groups (Board of Trustees, Affiliate Directors, Alumni, Operational Volunteers). Meet the members below and learn more about what they are working on our DEIB page.

Renee Rainville

International Consultant, Destination Imagination
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Chair

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
Opening awareness between people is a passion that drives me to bridge cultures and shine light on misconceptions, mine included. I am excited to be part of an organization that is on a path of increased awareness around DEIB.

Michele Tuck-Ponder, Esq.

CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Destination Imagination
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Ex Oficio Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
It is DI’s organizational Mission to Ignite the power of ALL youth to be the creative and collaborative leaders of tomorrow. Our work in DEIB is directly related to the realization of that vision. I believe that ensuring that every young person who can benefit from participating in any DI program is able to do so is critical to the success of our organization. I know that diversity enhances every organization, and DI is no exception. The potential is enormous and very exciting!!

Kris Beisel

Director of Educational Alliances and Training, Destination Imagination
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
I believe that all students should have access to student-led educational opportunities and I want to do everything we can to make those opportunities open to everyone.

Kelsey Celek

Affiliate Relations Program Coordinator, Destination Imagination
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Secretary

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
I am a DI alum and a teaching artist, so I have seen firsthand the positive impact that comes when young people get an outlet for creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. I’m thrilled that DI is focusing on ways to make that opportunity available to young people of all backgrounds and abilities. Increased opportunity benefits everyone!

Amber Escobar

Youth Services Specialist, Missouri Division of Youth Services
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Psychology of Diversity, Missouri State University
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
My experience as a DI participant showed me how DI is incredibly transformative. This empowering opportunity should be available to anyone who is ready to take on the challenge. Work in DEIB not only ensures the accessibility of DI, but also celebrates how unique perspectives enhance our community.

Hannah Barbosa

Training Specialist/Dominion Energy
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
Being on a DI team was one of the most transformational and empowering experiences I had as a student. As a former teacher, I saw barriers to my students joining activities such as DI. I am ecstatic to be part of a team working to increase access, diversity, and inclusion to this treasure of an organization and I cannot wait to see the fruits of those efforts of micro- and macro-scales!

Rebekah Garriock

Virtual Administrative Coordinator, INNoVA
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
To help make DI more diverse and inclusive.

Ash Gelb

Soul Purpose Coach at Liberated By Design
Pronouns: They/Them
Committee Role: Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
As a child DI is what allowed me to get through school. As a working class, White, Twice Exceptional, Queer/NonBinary person growing up in a wealthy suburban PWI district I never fit into the system. And would find myself in the hallway surrounded by other Youth with Disabilities and Students of Color. We were the unspoken misfits club, our unofficial meeting place, the principal’s office. But each of us had a very different path because of the opportunity gaps inherent in our education system.

DI instilled in me creative thinking, resilience and problem solving skills that have allowed me to thrive. When I became an educator working with underrepresented youth in the heart of Denver, I was confronted with this very reality: What allowed me to persist in a system that did not acknowledge my existence were the same skills these youth needed. And exactly the ones they were denied access to receive. Martin Luther King said “A riot is the language of the unheard” and I would argue that a riot is the language of the intentionally silenced. As the unheard believe their voice does not matter, and stop speaking up, believing their voice is unworthy or recognition. The longer I spent in education the more apparent this distinction became, and I made it my personal mission to pay forward the opportunities I had that others did not. And to support every child who entered my classroom to find their voice and speak truth to power.

This led me to volunteer work and finally to building and leading a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion department for the largest charter organization in the Denver area.

I am excited to give back to an organization that was foundational to my own development, and to support institutional awareness and alignment that counters systemic oppression.

Kate Nylander

Senior Manager, Inclusion Diversity & Belonging at Oliver Wyman
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
As an alumni of the organization, I’m passionate about the impact DI can have for kids, but I also know that we have work to do to ensure equitable access and positive impact for all students. And as a DEIB professional, I know that diversity is critical for all organizations and at the heart of creative problem solving – after all, how can you bring the full range of creative solutions to the table if you don’t have a range of diverse perspectives?

Engr. Urooj Seemeen

CEO Co-Founder E-Services & Technologies, Affiliate DIrector DI Pakistan, International Representative DI Board of Trustee
Pronouns: She/Her
Committee Role: Member

Why are you excited about DEIB work at Destination Imagination?
I am a mother of two kids. As a mother, I have faced barriers in professional environments. I think that the main reason is stereotypes and biases: Some colleagues and clients unconsciously hold stereotypes about mothers, such as the belief that we are less committed to our work or less capable of handling demanding job responsibilities. These biases make it more difficult for mothers to advance in their career or be taken seriously as a professional. I am an advocate of Moms and I believe that; Moms can do anything!. I am so thrilled to be a part of DEIB! It’s like having a big supportive family. The group provides a sense of community, support, advocacy and representation for all.