Influential Woman · Learning and Development, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Milly Pineda

Senior Inclusion and Belonging Specialist, AAA Mountain West Group

Phoenix, AZ

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Warner Pacific College Degree Adult Degree Program in Human Development Degree 2011

Her Story

About Milly

My career has been focused on developing strategic frameworks and strategies around diversity, equity, and inclusion. I build out frameworks around employee resource groups and integrate professional development and growth through learning and development opportunities for employees. In most of the companies I've worked with, it's been a solo journey as far as the role and team - I've rallied people around the work and galvanized them versus having direct reports. I've worked with big corporations including Columbia Sportswear Company and Dutch Bros Coffee headquarters. At Dutch Bros, I had a fortunate journey where I did pick up the learning and development team, so I had a team of five there on the learning and development side. I'm currently about 5 months into my new role after my last company eliminated the position.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Milly

01What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think the biggest challenge in the field of inclusion, belonging, or diversity, equity, inclusion is just the outside pressures to navigate it differently, when in theory, it's the core of any company that we work for - it's about our people. So whether we change the name from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to Inclusion and Belonging, we're still doing the same work, and should continue to do the same work for the people that work for our companies. I don't see it necessarily as a challenge, I see it as an opportunity to showcase that we do hear, see, and value our people, and continue the work in the same way, whether we have to change the label or not. The core is about our people.

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