Beyond the Ban: Staying Grounded Amid Uncertainty - IDEA Workshop

Beyond the Ban: Staying Grounded Amid Uncertainty

Date: Tue September 16, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Location: Island Harvest

Join AFPLI on Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Format: In-person interactive workshop

Audience: Fundraising professionals navigating policy restrictions on DEI funding

Speakers:

Evita Marrow, MA, PHR - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategist

Retha Fernandez, SHRM-SCP, Former Chief Diversity Officer, Suffolk County

Please consider this question:

"What is one challenge you’ve faced in securing funding while navigating today’s climate, particularly as it relates to equity?”

Participants will learn to:

• Reframe organizational messaging while maintaining core values
• Identify new funding opportunities and donor segments
• Develop resilient storytelling strategies
• Create actionable communication plans
• Build confidence in navigating current challenge

Evita Marrow, MA, PHR - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategist

Evita Marrow is a dedicated advocate for community empowerment and equity, whose journey from her roots in Amityville, Long Island, to her current role as the inaugural, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager for Suffolk County Government, reflects her unwavering commitment to serving her community.

Born and raised in Amityville, New York, Evita began her path of service early on, volunteering as a peer tutor and senior camp counselor at the United North Amityville Youth Organization (U.N.A.Y.O) Inc. Throughout her formative years, she imbibed values of integrity, hard work, and dedication, shaping her approach to life and service.

Evita's professional journey is marked by significant milestones, including her tenure as the 311 Call Center Director, where she played a pivotal role in establishing Suffolk County Government’s inaugural 3-1-1 Call Center, providing vital and lifesaving information, services and resources to residents, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evita has also served as the Assistant to Suffolk County’s Executive Director of Minority Affairs, where she actively engaged with constituents, elected officials and community leaders to address their needs and concerns.

Retha Fernandez, SHRM, SCP

Former Chief Diversity Officer, Suffolk County

With professional and personal passions aligned, Retha Fernandez serves as the Strategic Engagement Manager for National Grid Ventures and Community Offshore Wind. In this role, Retha supports the creation of workforce and economic development strategies alongside the strategic engagement team helping deliver local clean energy for all

On Community Offshore Wind, Retha has the responsibility of implementing a portion of the $250 million dollars the project is investing in workers and communities, with a focus on disadvantaged communities in New York State.

Retha formerly served as the inaugural Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Suffolk County, New York where she led the development and implementation of the County’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, including leading the development of the County’s first strategic plan for talent recruitment.

Prior to joining the County, Retha was the inaugural Project Director of the State of Black Long Island (SOBLI) Equity Council, a project convened by the Urban League of Long Island to develop an equity agenda to improve the quality of life in Black communities on Long Island. She has over two decades of private sector experience in technology strategy development and relationship management, and has served in executive leadership roles at a Fortune 500 company.

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