Wally Tablit’s career journey in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a testament to resilience, diversity, and the power of inclusion. As the Chief Disability Inclusion Officer at Relay Resources, Tablit has dedicated his career to advocating for equitable opportunities and fostering inclusive environments. His rich personal and professional background brings a unique perspective to his role, making significant strides in DEI.
Early Life and Background
Tablit’s early life is deeply rooted in his diverse identity and experiences. “As a person with a disability, I’ve experienced the power of true inclusion,” Tablit shares. “I identify proudly as a gay Asian man with a disability and as an immigrant who was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Hawaii. I have always been passionate about equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. I began consulting and having conversations as I realized how little diversity there is and how few equitable opportunities exist in the disability advocacy community and work.”
These impactful personal experiences have fueled Tablit’s dedication to creating more inclusive environments and advocating for those who are often marginalized.
Career Progression
Corporate DEI efforts have really ramped up in the last few years; however, Tablit isn’t a newcomer to the field. He reflects: “I have served people with disabilities for the past 25 years with roles in employment, training, community engagement, advocacy, policy, and strategic leadership. Most recently I was the Senior Director of Leadership and Workforce Development at RespectAbility, a national disability organization.” Before that, Tablit was the Chief Mission and Diversity Officer of AtWork, based out of Washington State. He also served as a board member from 2017 through 2023 and was the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for the National Board of APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First).
Tablit’s varied roles have allowed him to make significant contributions to the field of disability advocacy and DEI, driving policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion.
Role at Relay Resources
In his current role as Chief Disability Inclusion Officer at Relay Resources, Tablit has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s DEI initiatives. He explains: “This is a brand-new position at Relay Resources to support and grow our diversity and inclusion efforts as we look toward the future.” Relay Resources has made substantial investments in DEI, including the creation of roles like the Equity and Inclusive Learning Manager and the Director of Disability Inclusion.
“Diversity and inclusion are the umbrella and heart of how we do our work,” Tablit says. In addition to the new DEI-related roles that have been created, Relay Resources has also established a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) committee. “Diversity and inclusion are part of our ongoing training and immersive learning across the organization. It is at the core of who we are,” Tablit emphasizes.
Relay Resources’ DEI Efforts
Relay Resources stands out in its commitment to DEI. The organization continuously invests in roles and structures that ensure equity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of its operations.
“We perform audits and reviews of our policies and practices, provide a variety of training offerings to better inform and educate all our team members, added a floating holiday to honor the diversity of celebrations and milestones, and will be participating for the first time in the Portland Pride Parade as part of Disability Pride Month,” Tablit says.
These efforts are complemented by intentional outreach and recruitment strategies. “We are pivoting from posting on job boards to going into the community to actively source applicants with disabilities,” Tablit points out. “We are looking to partner more with veterans groups, agencies, and organizations that provide services for disabled adults and youth, as well as community colleges and other institutions.”
Indeed, these recruitment efforts are central to Relay Resources’ broader DEI strategy, which emphasizes the importance of representation. “Changing and evolving our representation was one of the first steps,” Tablit explains. “Additional steps have included hiring a woman of color as our CEO, creating my job and hiring a diverse leader in that role, expanding our board to include more people of color and other intersecting identities, and ensuring that our policies and practices continue to strengthen our diversity and inclusion efforts.”
Impact and Future Goals
The impact of Tablit’s work at Relay Resources has been profound. His initiatives have not only fostered a more inclusive workplace but have also positioned Relay Resources as a leader in DEI. “At Relay Resources, we approach everything we do from the lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging,” Tablit says. “There are so many wonderful intersections of identity and lived experiences that we want to be sure we value, recognize, celebrate, and support.”
Looking to the future, Tablit envisions continued growth and innovation in DEI practices, particularly in positions of authority within the organization. “At Relay Resources, we are proud of our very diverse hourly employee population,” he explains. Relay Resources has a goal of increasing the diversity in its leadership positions. “In the past year, we have made progress in the executive team with more diverse representation and added BIPOC representation to the board of directors,” Tablit shares. “We are working with a professional services recruitment partner that specializes in providing their clients with a diverse slate of candidates. As a result, three of the last five hires for our Shared Services teams have been members of the BIPOC community.”
Wally Tablit’s career is a shining example of dedication to DEI. His work at Relay Resources has made significant strides in creating inclusive environments and advocating for equitable opportunities. Tablit’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and the impact of inclusive practices in the workplace. As he continues to lead DEI efforts, Tablit’s vision and commitment will undoubtedly inspire and drive change in the field.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.
The post <strong>A Voice for the Underrepresented: Wally Tablit’s Impact as Chief Disability Inclusion Officer</strong> appeared first on HR Daily Advisor.