In an expansion of existing programming, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has hired Yanitsa Buendía de Llaca as the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) advisor.

With a Ph.D in religious studies and expertise as a qualitative researcher, Buendía brings theoretical and professional knowledge to her new role. Her position is a collaborative effort to make PSHH a more equitable workplace and community partner.

Yanitsa said she is ardent about advancing equity in all aspects of the PSHH mission. The work she now facilitates began in 2019 with the formation of the PSHH IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action) Commission.

The staff-led effort works to create inclusivity in decision-making, promote opportunities for advancement, and change structural lapses related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The IDEA Commission has achieved a number of goals including creation of ongoing DEI trainings for staff; a confidential feedback form; increased language accessibility; and a company-wide culture survey for tracking metrics across all PSHH staff.

“We are thrilled to have a new collaborative partner in our journey towards organizational equity,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO/president. “The investment of a full-time advisor means that we are now better poised to take action, change policies through a better focused equity lens, and ensure greater access to equitable outcomes for all who engage with PSHH.”

With roots in Mexico, Buendía has lived in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, and today calls the Central Coast home.

For more, visit pshhc.org.