Washington, D.C. — Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Rostin Behnam today announced the agency’s first Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA Plan). In his statement, Chairman Behnam expressed optimism about the future impact of the plan, saying, "As we embark on this transformative journey, I look forward to seeing the opportunities that lie ahead and the positive impact this DEIA Plan will have on our agency and the broader financial community."
Acknowledging the efforts of the team behind the DEIA Plan, Chairman Behnam also recognized the dedication of Chief Diversity Officer Tanisha Cole Edmonds and the entire workforce, stating, "I am grateful for the dedication of our Chief Diversity Officer Tanisha Cole Edmonds, her team, and our entire workforce in motivating this new, transformative direction."
Tanisha Cole Edmonds, the Chief Diversity Officer and Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at CFTC, expressed her pride in presenting the plan alongside Chairman Behnam, saying, "As the CFTC’s Chief Diversity Officer and Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion, I am honored to join Chairman Behnam in presenting the CFTC’s first DEIA Strategic Plan." She further emphasized the collaborative nature of the plan, stating, "I am equally proud to call this DEIA Plan ‘our’ Plan because it is the result of an agency-wide, collaborative effort."
The CFTC’s DEIA Plan, aligned with the CFTC’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, focuses on six key goals aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization. These goals include Inclusive Workplaces, Partnerships and Recruitment, Paid Internships, Professional Development and Advancement, Data, and Equity in Procurement and Customer Education and Outreach. The plan outlines specific objectives, strategies, and responsible divisions/offices for each goal, with an internal DEIA Executive Council established to oversee its implementation.
