About the Author

Rod McDonald
Vice President Enterprise Applications, Aimbridge Hospitality
Quest Board Member and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair

As individuals and members of the Quest community, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all. Quest has a history as a diverse and inclusive organization, as we believe our community is stronger and more valuable to its members because of its diverse make-up. I am excited to chair Quest’s DEI Committee this year as we work to ensure Quest’s beliefs on this matter are reinforced and operationalized in organizational behavior that endures.

Last year, Quest’s DEI committee worked to raise awareness and provided education, aligning our efforts with nationally celebrated months. Our expanded DEI programming empowered conference attendees and on-line participants to learn and network with industry leaders and fellow Oracle users to gain actionable insights. We will look to build upon this success in 2024.

As chair, I am joined in this effort by my fellow committee members:

• Madhuri Jha, Director of IT, Honeywell
• Melanie Trudell, Director – Human Technology & HR Analytics, The Wendy’s Company
• Chandra Wobschall, Senior Business Analyst, BrightView Landscapes

If you or someone you know are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Michelle Hooks at [email protected].

2024 Areas of Focus

Quest will have these key areas of focus for 2024:

Create a Welcoming and Inclusive Community
Quest will continue evaluating and refining our own practices through a DEI lens to create a welcoming and inclusive community, including but not limited to workplace practices, member recruitment, volunteer recruitment and service provider selection.

Raise Awareness
Quest will raise awareness for nationally recognized and celebrated months and holidays. By actively promoting and acknowledging these observances, we not only honor the rich cultural contributions of diverse communities, but we also create a platform for meaningful conversations and initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive workplace.

Facilitate Knowledge & Networking
Quest will leverage our unique position to help the members of the Oracle ecosystem gain knowledge, build relationships and advance best practices within their organizations. We will offer education and create space for conversations and the exchange of ideas throughout the year.

Give Back – Quest for Good
Quest will also look to have a positive impact on DEI initiatives within the communities in which we conduct business. Quest will continue the “Quest for Good” tradition of partnering with local organizations to offer our support and create service opportunities for our staff and attendees to positively impact the local community.

If you or a member of your team would like to contribute to Quest’s DEI efforts (volunteering for the DEI committee, sharing your story, facilitating a networking session, etc.), please contact Michelle Hooks, at [email protected].

Rod