Share on: Linkedin

Bringing the Voice of Disability to the Insurance Diversity Task Force

Published: Tuesday June 25, 2024

Insurance Diversity Task Force Meeting Q2/2024

alycia sitting in her wheelchair wearing a red blazer in front of seco palms with one hand on her wheel and the other on her hip

Honored to be appointed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to be the first person to fill the vacant seat for Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (PDBE) Representative / Advocate on the California Department of Insurance’s Insurance Diversity Task Force!

Congratulations to re-elected Task Force Chair Mark Morales, and newly elected Vice-Chair Vikita Poindexter, SPHR-CA, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP.

I am ready to “rise to the challenge of our times and make real, significant investments” in the community I serve, and am excited for the opportunity to contribute to discussions on our strategic plan and the groundbreaking California Insurance Diversity Survey (CAIDS) by being the first to bring the voice for persons with disabilities to this table.

alycia with all of the insurance diversity task force members at the quarterly meeting in oakland

Things to know:

  • In California, one in four adults (or 7.1 million) live with a disability.
  • AB 1140 went into effect on January 1, 2024, and it expands California Insurance Code (CIC) section 927 to include persons with disabilities and persons with disabilities business enterprise.
  • AB 1140 aims to strengthen equity, diversity, and transparency in California’s insurance market to ensure greater inclusive economic opportunities in California by expanding the California Department of Insurance’s Insurance Diversity Initiative for individuals with disabilities.
alycia sitting at the head of the table with task force chair mark morales along with all of the other task force members at the quarterly meeting in oakland

I’m thrilled to be part of this important work, driving transparency and creating opportunities for businesses owned by persons with disabilities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and historically underrepresented communities.

I’m looking forward to collaborating with my fellow new appointees, Marquita Thomas and Kelly C. Huang – Board Diversity Advocate/Executive Coach and all of the other dedicated members representing various diversity sectors on the force! Chandara Phanachone Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner Cecil Plummer Griselda Gonzalez Linda Akutagawa, Annalisa Barrett Fabiola Cobarrubias Pradip Khemani Tommy Smith Imelda Alejandrino Jose Plascencia
Once again, I’d like to thank Commissioner Lara for my appointment to the Insurance Diversity Task Force, and I’m also looking forward to the 2024 CAIDS and continuing to advance diversity in California’s insurance sector!