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SALT LAKE CITY — Mayor-elect Jackie Biskupski announced Wednesday she will retain and expand the role of the Salt Lake City's coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Human Rights.
Yolanda Francisco-Nez will continue to oversee the city's Office of Diversity and Human Rights, and also serve as policy adviser on issues of diversity and minority affairs to ensure greater equity and inclusion in city government, education and economic development, according to a news release.
"In order to build a city with opportunity for all people, we must not only bring diverse voices to the table, but those voices must be in a position to help lead the conversation," Biskupski said in a prepared statement. "Throughout her career at City Hall, Yolanda has proven her commitment to Salt Lake City's diverse communities."
Francisco-Nez has worked in various roles in the mayor's office since 2000. In 2008, she was appointed as coordinator of the Office of Diversity and Human Rights, where she helped facilitate the city ordinance to protect LGBT people in employment and housing, and led the Complete Count Committee to ensure underrepresented populations were included in the 2010 Census.
Francisco-Nez also developed award-winning curriculum for refugee and immigrant populations addressing employment and housing discrimination, sexual violence, gang violence prevention, the justice court system and the citizenship process.
She currently serves as a board member on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies, and the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
"I am eager to continue my work and take on new challenges in a larger role with the Biskupski administration," Francisco-Nez said in a prepared statement. "I have seen firsthand the continuing needs of Salt Lake City's minority communities and know city government can play a key role in addressing inequality in our society. With Mayor-elect Biskupski's commitment to diversity, I am confident we can make a real impact in the years to come."
