Chris Fitzpatrick

Manager, University Relations & DEI, Crestron Electronics

About Chris Fitzpatrick

Still a bit of an AV rookie. Not technical at all unless you need the clock on your VCR reset. Ally for Diversity & Inclusion across all industries. Member of the AVIXA Foundation Board, Diversity Council, and Women's Council. I have no clue what that component does. Professional Speaker. Aspiring Game Show Host. Below Average Charity Golfer. Overuser Of Capital Letters Where They Are Not NECESSARY. He/Him.

Company Type

Business Consulting

Department

Human Resources

Language

English

Influencer Of

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Recent Comments

Nov 09, 2023

A tremendous person and industry colleague. Personable, kind, and talented. I feel for his family and thank them for sharing such a wonderful individual with us. Rest in peace, Brad. 

Sep 19, 2023

Thank you for sharing this, Alissa! The article in Fortune is a good one; Forbes has had some good material on this recently as well.

I was recently struck by this as well, from HR Executive: https://hrexecutive.com/after-the-scotus-affirmative-action-ruling-employers-are-ready-to-stand-behind-dei/?oly_enc_id=7676G6197145C7R

This article explores something that many of us may have felt was counterintuitive -  the recent SCOTUS ruling regarding the constitutionality of Affirmative Action may help, not hinder, DEIB efforts at companies. Now, that single decision does not exist in a vacuum, rather it comes against a backdrop of DEI opponents pushing back against the very existence of DEI roles in companies. Even Chick-Fil-A had a backlash because they employ a leader whose role it is to make the company more appealing and accessible to different types of people and to try to make employees feel valued. 

The substance of the article, I think, focuses on the fact that years of touting the "business case" of DEIB efforts rather than just the altruism alone have paid off. Organizations, customers, and communities have seen the evidence supporting diverse and inclusive organizations as inherently more innovative than their more homogeneous contemporaries. DEIB has become a cornerstone of talent strategy at winning organizations.

Mar 22, 2023

After the webinar, we hope the AVIXA Community will share their thoughts on #Allyship here:

https://xchange.avixa.org/rooms/a-culture-of-inclusion/conversations/55669

Mar 15, 2022

Glad you posted this, Joe, thank you!