Deo Mwano
The Peabody Companies, a group of award-winning property management real estate firms, today announced Deo Mwano as Diversity and Inclusion Advisor.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mwano is an innovative, multi-cultural leader in education, organizational leadership and social justice. He teaches, inspires, and motivates people to follow a path of self-improvement and dedication to others.
As the Peabody Companies’ Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, he will help guide the organization through the process of effectively identifying and disrupting patterns of inequality, implementing cultural changes, and developing training initiatives to create and foster an open and inclusive environment. He will also be instrumental in helping to create mechanisms for surveying the firm’s internal audience and gathering data to promote active listening and a deeper understanding of team member experiences within the workplace.
“I am excited to work closely with the Peabody Companies as the Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, and already feel part of the Peabody family,” said Mwano. “The work ahead will not be easy, but the commitment to and openness for positive changes through diversity, equity, and inclusion is the foundation for a healthy and empowering future.”
Mwano will also assist the Diversity and Inclusion steering committee in establishing a company Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, a working group of about a dozen team members, tasked with:
- Promoting training and events to bring awareness to diversity and inclusion in the workplace;
- Engaging co-workers in diversity and inclusion conversation and training;
- Reviewing and developing policies and procedures that will promote workplace diversity and inclusion; and
- Organizing and overseeing specific initiatives or outreach within the communities managed by The Peabody Companies.
Mwano grew up during a violent civil war, faced much misfortune and became the family patriarch at age nine. Following his move to the United States in the year 2000 with his mother and three younger brothers, he “found his voice” as a gifted performer and presenter, connecting with others through dance and motivational speaking.
Mwano holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and History and an MBA in Strategic Leadership.
“We are delighted to announce Deo as our Diversity & Inclusion Advisor,” said Karen Fish-Will, CEO and principal of the Peabody Companies. “He is an inspirational, engaging, and relatable advisor who ignites diverse audiences with his work. His expertise in helping people understand what impacts their behaviors and ability to work with diverse demographic groups make him the ideal individual to fill this new and important role within our organization; the entire Peabody team welcomes Deo.”
About the Peabody Companies
The Peabody Companies and its affiliates – Peabody Properties, Peabody Resident Services, Peabody Supportive Housing, Peabody Real Estate and Peabody Miami – is headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts, at 536 Granite Street. A full-service real estate firm, Peabody Properties manages over 13,000+ units of housing throughout New England, as well as additional communities in New Jersey and Florida. This award-winning, privately held company and Accredited Management Organization (AMO) was incorporated in 1976 and is under the direction of Karen Fish-Will and Melissa Fish-Crane, who were recently ranked #31 (out of 50) on Glassdoor’s 2018 SMB Top CEOs list. Recognizing its long-term commitment to Resident Services as a unique area of expertise within the field of property management, a specialty sector, Peabody Resident Services was established and is dedicated solely to the development of support services and programs for residents of affordable housing. Designated as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and certified by the Massachusetts State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA), Peabody was recently ranked #49 on the 2019 National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) Affordable 100 List, as well as a 2017 and 2018 Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe and 2018 and 2019 Glassdoor Best Place to Work (most recently ranked #10). Learn more at http://www.peabodyproperties.
