About Us

Chauncia Willis is the leading voice for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Emergency Management and is well-suited to influence the global movement towards disaster equity. She brings a unique perspective to disasters and climate risk reduction, one that is based on understanding the needs of underrepresented groups. Chauncia is an outspoken champion of disaster victim’s “Right to Recover Whole,” a term she coined that speaks to a victim’s right to recover from disaster fully and wholly, without being impeded by racist, discriminatory and otherwise intentionally and unintentionally biased policies and practices. Chauncia’s electric energy and engaging personality was doubtless instrumental in her becoming one of the most highly sought-after keynote speakers in Emergency Management. Chauncia’s career as an executive leader and global consultant in Emergency Management and Cultural Diversity spans 23 years. Her common-sense approach to achieving disaster equity has been instrumental in inspiring corporations, governments, academic institutions and countless others to prioritize equity in disaster management and humanitarian relief as the most direct route to saving lives. Chauncia is the author of, “Stretching: The Race towards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in America,” a personal journey that depicts the devastating battles she has experienced with discrimination, in daily life and the workplace, and how she overcame each one. Chauncia co-founded the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM), whose nonprofit mission is to diversify the disaster management field, prioritize inclusion in all areas of emergency management, & save lives by operationalizing equity before, during and after disasters. Through I-DIEM, professionals of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities & many more have found an organizational safe-place that proudly represents and promotes diversity in Emergency Management. Chauncia is the Owner and President of The Savvy Dimension, LLC, a diversity, equity and inclusion consulting firm where she advises corporations and audiences of all kinds on cultural competency, authentic leadership, trauma informed community engagement, historical disaster bias, and more. As a national expert, Chauncia has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, HSToday, Blavity News, NPR, and CNN. In addition, she has provided witness testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Commission on Civil Rights.