Meet Joy Fowler
How did you learn about PDXWIT, and what keeps you coming back?
I happened to meet Amanda Lopez at a networking event and she told me all about PDXWIT. I was immediately intrigued with both the mission and vision of the organization. Not having a career in tech but being personally invested in diversifying the tech industry from a work standpoint is what kept me intrigued. I was then asked to speak at a PDXWIT event and learned very quickly that my role in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion directly relates to the technology industry.
Can you give us some background on your career in Diversity & Inclusion? Did you intend this career path?
I started my career in Diversity & Inclusion 6 years ago while in the financial services industry. At the time, I had no idea it was a true passion of mine, nor did I realize that I would impact an organization and my life simultaneously. I had the privilege of starting a program from the ground up and shaping what the organization does in that space today. I was able to establish a Diversity Council, Employee Resource Groups, hold monthly Diversity Dialogues, and develop a strategy and initiatives sustainable for that organization.
When I contemplated changing careers, I had a heart to heart with myself and asked if I truly enjoyed and valued the work I was doing related to D&I. This was an important conversation to have, because I would be making the decision to change careers and industries or change industries while keeping the same career. When the thought of leaving D&I work saddened me, I knew it was only the industry that needed to change. Now I find myself at the Port of Portland, a very different industry from financial services, doing something I enjoy immensely — Diversity and Inclusion.
We would like to know more about who you are; can you tell us about a change of fortune that has impacted your life?
A change in fortune that impacted my life was the loss of my 13-year-old son, 8 years ago. He taught me so much while he was alive and his passing left me with something that changed my life forever. Raising a child with special needs comes with a lot of specialized care.
As you are interacting with doctors, nurses, therapists, etc. you don’t always have the opportunity to see the bigger picture — you are focused on keeping a child safe and healthy. At his memorial I got an opportunity to see the number of people he impacted and that had impacted our family, and I was amazed. Amazed at both the quantity of people and the diversity of people. He could not make those distinctions: he knew only what was in a person’s heart.
That day I made the decision to live my life as he lived his — embracing people for who they are, being welcoming, being forgiving and being open. This enabled me to be the co-founder of A MIRacle Foundation, Inc. in his memory and do the job I have today. I cannot say every day is perfect, but it is definitely a change that I have embraced and am 100% committed to.