QCC executive to fill Worcester’s remade chief diversity role, following two-year vacancy

A man with black glasses wears a blue suit jacket, white button down, and blue, yellow, and white plaid tie

Photo I Courtesy of the Office of City Manager Eric D. Batista Kevin Lovaincy will begin his new position as Worcester's chief equity officer on Oct. 28.

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By Mica Kanner-Mascolo

More than a year after the City of Worcester announced its search for a new chief equity officer, Kevin Lovaincy from Quinsigamond Community College has been named to the position, effective Oct. 28.

“Kevin brings a holistic experience with DEI work to the municipality and has a strong track record of implementing successful DEI programs and initiatives,” Worcester City Manager Eric Batista said in Wednesday press release from the City’s Executive Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. “I am confident Kevin will hit the ground running, building up the new Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to cultivate a workplace environment reflective of the Worcester community with a culture of service, respect, and accountability.”

Loviancy replaces Stephanie Williams, who left the position previously titled chief diversity officer, in 2022. The role had remained vacant since her exit with no previous chief diversity officer staying in the role for more than two years and two months.

In his new role, Lovaincy will oversee eight fellow department members as well as the City’s divisions of human rights; investigations; and training and development ushered under the EODEI.

He joins the City’s executive team having most recently acted as executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. Previously, Lovaincy held DEI positions at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, including acting director of diversity, equity, and inclusion and assistant director diversity and inclusion, public health hospitals.

Lovaincy received his bachelor’s degree in sociology and his master’s degree in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice leadership from Tufts University in Medford.

The EODEI works to implement the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion mission to foster a workplace representative of the Worcester community with a culture of service, respect, and accountability, according to the EODEI’s website.

The City’s DEI goals follow six commitments outlined by the City Manager's administration:

Accelerating representation within municipal workforce and leadership
Increasing access to opportunities through an equitable hiring process
Providing DEI trainings and professional development opportunities
Fostering an environment where people with disabilities are included, empowered, and have access to support
Advancing equal pay for equal work
Ensuring diverse vendors have equal opportunity to conduct business with the municipality

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.