Lifeworks Community,
I am excited to start this monthly updated by introducing our new Vice President of People and Culture – Stephanie Karaman. Stephanie brings over a decade of Human Resources and Operations experience to Lifeworks, holding leadership roles at organizations with 5,000+ employees. As a strategic partner to the Executive Leadership Team, Stephanie will oversee the organization’s human resources and diversity and inclusion functions.
This spring, we shared that the Lifeworks Main Office in Richfield was selected by Finance & Commerce Magazine as a Top Project of 2022. This month, I’ll join our construction and design partners, including JL Commercial Services, Carlson Partners, St. Paul Construction, Pope Design Group, at the Top Projects Award ceremony. This award gives us the opportunity to encourage other businesses to follow suit in creating inclusive spaces.
Building an inclusive office space that goes above and beyond ADA requirements is just a small step toward building a more accessible community. It is work that requires all of us, which is something the Minnesota Legislature agreed and acted upon this session. A new law passed this year will require any new, large public building to be built with adult-size changing tables in public restrooms. Often, the most daunting barrier for people with disabilities when it comes to full community inclusion is access to a fully accessible restroom. This new law removes the barriers of undignified and unsanitary restroom settings to address the most basic of human needs and will go a long way to promote self-direction and self-determination for Minnesotans with disabilities and the people who support them.
As always, I thank you for being a part of the Lifeworks community! Together, we are making our vision of accessible, equitable, and diverse communities a reality.
Warmly,
Gertrude
