Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Appoints Two New Members to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the country’s preeminent leader in one-to-one youth mentoring, has appointed Ad Council Chief Equity Officer Elise James-DeCruise, and National Corn Growers Association Chief Executive Officer Jon Doggett to its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council.

James-DeCruise is an award-winning Learning & Development professional and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion practitioner with over 20 years of global experience in the marketing, strategy, design and delivery of programs and experiences for clients, partners and industry professionals within the workforce, workplace and marketplace and community. As Chief Equity Officer of the Ad Council, America’s leader in using the power of communications to drive social change, James-DeCruise oversees the organization’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – ultimately informing every aspect of the Ad Council’s mission, workplace culture and public-facing communications.

Doggett brings a wealth of public policy experience to the Council. Prior to becoming CEO of the National Corn Growers Association in 2018, Doggett served as the organization’s executive vice president. Prior to that, he served as vice president of public policy, where he managed the organization’s Washington, DC office and led its public policy efforts from 2002 to 2014.

“I am pleased to welcome Elise and Jon to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ JEDI Council. Their collective experience in public policy and diversity, equity and inclusion are welcome additions to the council,” said Interim JEDI Council Co-Chair Jana Brown. “I look forward to working alongside them to create more equitable outcomes for the Big Brothers Big Sisters workforce and young people.”

Founded in 2021, BBBSA’s JEDI Council supports the organization’s long-standing commitment to empower all young people. The group, made up of business and nonprofit leaders and experts, brings their expertise and compassion to BBBSA to cultivate strategies, curate concepts, and advise on JEDI issues affecting youth, staff, volunteers, and communities across the country. The formation of this cohort is part of BBBSA’s responsibility to create a nondiscriminatory and anti-racist approach to dismantle any inequities within its policies, systems, programs, and services, so all young people can experience a strong mentoring relationship in their lives.

“With youth empowerment at the center of all we do, BBBSA is committed to tailoring our approach to meet the diverse and evolving needs of the young people we serve. The JEDI Council helps us make sure that we live our values of upholding justice, equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO Artis Stevens. “I am grateful to Elise and Jon for sharing their invaluable expertise with us and look forward to working with them as new members of the JEDI Council.”

“I am thrilled to bring my expertise to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as a new member of the JEDI Council,” said James-DeCruise. “The organization’s commitment to providing a fulfilling and equitable experience for Bigs and Littles is commendable. I look forward to working with the JEDI Council to help Big Brothers Big Sisters examine and enhance its policies and practices to best support the communities they serve.”

“I am excited to join Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s JEDI Council,” said Doggett. “Big Brothers Big Sisters has an outstanding reputation and I look forward to sharing my public policy experience to help the organization be the most diverse, mission-driven, youth empowerment organization in the country.”

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s JEDI Council visit: https://www.bbbs.org/justice-equity-diversity-inclusion/.

Related Stories