Office of Diversity, Equity and Protected Disclosure welcomes new director

Valerie Pruegger has been appointed director of the University of Calgary’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Protected Disclosure (ODEPD). She began a five-year term on Sept. 2, 2014 and will report to Karen Jackson, general counsel, who reports directly to President Elizabeth Cannon.

Located in the Administration building, the ODEPD has a broad mandate. In addition to working to address systemic issues and offering workshops on a variety of equity and diversity issues, the ODEPD provides all members of the university community with an independent and confidential environment to report allegations and concerns that fall under any policies related to diversity, equity or protected disclosure.

Launched in February 2014, the ODEPD was directed on an interim basis by Adrienne Kertzer, the former advisor to the president on women’s issues and long-standing English professor at the University of Calgary.

“Adrienne’s knowledge, experience and foresight helped to further the goals of the ODEPD over the past seven months, and we are very appreciative of her contributions,” says Jackson. 

As director, Pruegger will analyze systemic issues related to equity, diversity and protected disclosure at the university; identify policy and other issues for consideration at appropriate university committees; and produce annual reports on equity and diversity issues. She will also chair two committees designed to ensure that ODEPD serves as a centralized resource to all members of the university community: the Diversity and Equity Network that links units from across campus that are working on a variety of diversity and equity issues, and the ODEPD Advisory Committee consisting of representation from all university constituencies.

“Valerie will advance the ODEPD’s mandate to foster a climate that values and respects principles of diversity, equity and protected disclosure and facilitates the achievement of our international strategy goals – increasing the diversity and improving the global and cross cultural competencies of our campus communities,” Jackson says. 

Pruegger brings more than 20 years of academic and institutional experience to her new role. Her career is wide ranging and includes a background in immigration, diversity, inclusion and labour integration research. From 1996 to 2011, she worked as a research social planner with the City of Calgary and as a diversity education consultant with the Calgary Police Service. She spearheaded the signing on to the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination by the City of Calgary and the eventual creation of two diversity and inclusion facilitator positions within the city.

Pruegger has been an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary for nearly two decades and is a member of the Canadian Institute for Diversity and Inclusion and the Alberta Provincial Hate Crimes Committee. In 2002, she founded Intercultural Interactions Inc. to address the need for effective and expert assistance to organizations, corporations and government agencies wanting to create inclusive communities or work environments.

With a BA and an MSc from the University of Calgary and a PhD from Queen’s University specializing in cross-cultural psychology, Pruegger has contributed to both academic publications and a number of valued toolkits presentations and symposia that have produced tangible results for organizations looking to foster cross-cultural competencies and inclusion – both of which are critical components of our international strategy. Her wide experience and accomplishments position her very well for her work with the ODEPD.

“I’m very excited to join the campus in this new role. The ODEPD office will be an important catalyst to integrate diversity and inclusion initiatives across campus, and to foster a community of changemakers by developing the cultural competencies required to release the potential of the best minds in Canada and the world,” she says.

The ODEPD is also leading an initiative to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students, faculty and staff. This initiative supports the university’s commitment to fostering free and open debate -- on even the most controversial topics – in ways that value the perspectives of our very diverse campus community, so we can support and encourage one another.

Allegations or concerns, including those related to breaches of research integrity, can be reported by contacting Shirley Voyna Wilson, the protected disclosure advisor, at 403-220-4086 or by email. Disclosures may also be reported through ConfidenceLine at 1-800-661-9675.