Smarty Pants Hires for New 'Dean of Diversity' Role

US-based youth and family researcher Smarty Pants has hired Kafele Khalfani for its newly created role of 'Dean of Diversity', leading the company on all issues related to diversity and inclusion and in charge of its recently formed Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Academy (IDEA).

The company, which has headquarters in Johnson City, TN, and offices in seven other US cities, works on brand positioning, new product development, consumer lifestyle and trend research. Its (IDEA) has been launched to broaden 'cultural literacy' and deepen consumer empathy among employees and clients. Khalfani (pictured) began his career as an Account Executive at Ogilvy & Mather, before holding a similar role at Suissa Miller Advertising. Since 2001, he has worked in the higher education sector with the 18 to 24 demographic on college campuses including Loyola Marymount University; Marymount California University; University of California, Riverside; College of Staten Island, and University of California, San Diego.

His positions have included directorships of residence life, student organizations, leadership development, student government, judicial affairs, and community development; and he remains the Dean of Student Affairs at UC San Diego. In addition, he was a founding member of a multicultural group called PEOPLE together, involved with pluralism and diversity programming, and he served as a faculty and staff diversity trainer. He also serves as co-chair of the Board of Directors of San Diego's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center.

In his new role, Khalfani leads diversity and inclusion-related areas - from talent acquisition and professional development, to expanding the company's cultural resource library, and establishing diversity-related best practices in market research. Company co-founders Wynne Tyree and Radames Rodriguez comment: 'Kafele is the perfect person to guide Smarty Pants in this new position. He has been a diversity educator for decades, and he understands young people and what's on the horizon. His unique blend of intelligence, candor and wit make him a cultural match with our organization.'

Web site: www.asksmartypants.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.