OFS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
OFS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
Formed in 2020 under the guidance of OFS Executive Leadership, the DEI committee was created with the charge to evaluate the company, listen to its people, take action on ways the organization can embrace & improve diversity, and find ways to be more equitable & inclusive.

Purpose and mission

The OFS DEI Committee was created to develop and promote strategies, programs, and best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This encompasses a range of different social and cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, and more.

The ultimate mission of this committee is to provide for the betterment of OFS employees, their families, and local communities by building upon the OFS family culture and providing a holistic, professional, and inclusive experience.

Goals

Listen Gather feedback and data to guide decisions and discussions.
Learn Educate on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Connect Share inclusive stories, ideas, and events.
Partner Support DEI initiatives inside and outside the company.

Initiatives

DEI surveys & training:
In 2020-2021, the committee introduced an employee survey and training program for all executive leadership, sales and marketing. This gave valuable insights and takeaways to help develop and progress the OFS DEI efforts.

Employee hotline:
Establishing a new DEI employee hotline was another important initiative for the committee. The email address and anonymous phone line are monitored confidentially by HR and are intended to be safe spaces for employee feedback, concerns, or suggestions.

Meet the DEI Team

Maria VanDeman
Committee Chair
Director of Design Strategy
OFS
Yonna Boyce
Committee Associate Chair
District Sales Manager
OFS
Jonnathan Macias
Committee Member
HR/Safety Coordinator
OFS
Donetta Abel
Committee Member
HR Director
OFS
John Becher
Executive Staff Sponsor
Sr VP, HR/Sales Admin
OFS
Clifford Johnson
Committee Member
Company Driver, Logistics
Styline
Barbie Thomas
Committee Member
District Sales Manager
OFS
Michelle Jacob
Committee Member
Project Manager
Bryan Ashley
Leslie Tegmeyer
Committee Member
Interior Design Project Manager
OFS
Chris Robinson
Committee Member
Vice President of Sales
Bryan Ashley
Audrey Nguyen
Committee Member
Customer Service Manager
OFS

Design Your World

For a second year, OFS is presenting sponsor of IIDA’s Design Your World, an education initiative to advance equity in design.

The program was created to provide early exposure to the value of design and helps bridge the disparities BIPOC students face when determining their education and career path.

ALASI Resource Center Opens

The ALASI Resource Center officially opened its doors to the public at a ribbon cutting, celebrating a significant milestone in serving the Latino population in Downtown Huntingburg and southern Indiana.

ALASI partners, OFS and the Menke Foundation, are two of the founding organizations of the ALASI Resource Center. The center's opening marks not only a physical space but a deeper commitment to fostering unity, cultural understanding, and community connection.

Pride in the Park

In 2022, OFS sponsored Dubois County Pride in the Park, a local pride festival that celebrates and supports the LGBTQIA+ community.

Attendees were invited to create colorful artwork that represents each of their true colors at the OFS booth, celebrating the spirit of pride and supporting a more inclusive community.

Art for a Purpose

OFS hosted the first annual Art for a Purpose event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in collaboration with embellish fine art and OTJ Architects.

The event was created as a silent art auction and fundraiser to support the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Foundation and its scholarship programs focused on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the design community.

Design Your World Book Launch Event

OFS and IIDA collaborated to organize a launch event for the children's book, "Design Your World," authored by Maria VanDeman and Doug Shapiro of OFS, and illustrated by the talented Kenzie Leon Perry of Ze Haus Design Studio.

Inspired by IIDA’s Design Your World education pipeline program, this book shows how interior design is not only a career choice but a powerful tool that can improve the way people feel.
DEI
"As a people-focused company, OFS is committed to creating a culture of belonging & acceptance through our diversity, equity & inclusion efforts. We look forward to additional projects, participation & support through this journey of progress."

Newsroom articles

Learn more about OFS DEI efforts

To read more in-depth information about the DEI program, download the latest sustainability report below. The sustainability report is part of the OFS Common Ground initiative. Structured around customers, colleagues, and communities, this initiative seeks to build meaningful relationships by finding common ground.

Download now

Explore the podcast and discover diverse voices in the design industry

It’s time we elevate everything: Kia Weatherspoon The imagine a place podcast It’s time we elevate everything: Kia Weatherspoon
Krystal Lucero (Edwards Mulhausen): Using the gifts you’ve been given to create change. - Ep. 14 The imagine a place podcast Krystal Lucero (Edwards Mulhausen): Using the gifts you’ve been given to create change. - Ep. 14
Roby Isaac (Mannington Commercial): Change at the studio level. - Ep. 07 The imagine a place podcast Roby Isaac (Mannington Commercial): Change at the studio level. - Ep. 07

Reach out to the OFS DEI committee

Email
Questions and answers
Question:
What is diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Answer:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin ullamcorper est non venenatis maximus. Ut et lacus at purus vehicula dignissim. Praesent varius ullamcorper rutrum. In pellentesque lobortis rutrum. Vivamus eu vulputate dui. 

Question:
How important is DEI to OFS?
Answer:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin ullamcorper est non venenatis maximus. Ut et lacus at purus vehicula dignissim. 

Question:
Are there plans to enhance DEI at the OFS?
Answer:

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Question:
What concrete DEI actions have been completed recently?
Answer:

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Question:
How does the OFS plan to institute DEI training among employees?
Answer:

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Question:
What are OFS resources and policies on diversity and discrimination? How can I file an anonymous complaint?
Answer:

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Question:
How will the OFS leadership encourage and elevate diversity and inclusion in its decision-making?
Answer:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin ullamcorper est non venenatis maximus. Ut et lacus at purus vehicula dignissim. Praesent varius ullamcorper rutrum. In pellentesque lobortis rutrum. Vivamus eu vulputate dui. Morbi volutpat laoreet ipsum, sit amet sagittis lorem rutrum eu.

Question:
How can I get involved and help advance the cause of DEI at OFS and our community?
Answer:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin ullamcorper est non venenatis maximus. Ut et lacus at purus vehicula dignissim. Praesent varius ullamcorper rutrum.