Cedar Rapids diversity, equity & inclusion manager adjusting to new role weeks into job

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The City of Cedar Rapids' new diversity, equity and inclusion manager is wrapping up her second week on the job.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager is a newly created position that will lead the City’s efforts to promote and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization through programs, training and services.

Cedar Rapids resident Elizabeth Buch was just introduced by the city this week.

The position will report directly to the City Manager and will work collaboratively with the Human Resources Director and other senior leadership to develop and execute the City’s first comprehensive DE&I strategy.

"It is something that community members have wanted and needed, and I am just honored to have been selected," Buch said. "DEI is a long term approach along term goal. Finding ways to remove some of the barriers and gaps that may not be known to everyone who's currently within the city or in power of hiring and bringing in individuals."

Buch most recently served as the Cedar Rapids Site Manager for Urban Dream, focused on workforce development initiatives. Previously, she worked at Collins Aerospace as the Diversity and Community Relations liaison as well as the site contact for their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts.

In the time she was with Urban Dreams she successfully connected over 35 individuals with gainful employment opportunities, opened and operated a full functional food pantry in an underserved area of Cedar Rapids, and partnered with the Cedar Rapids Community School District to host 14 student interns focusing on marginalized populations. She also partnered with Mount Mercy University, Iowa Prison Industries and Google to create soft skill development training for incarcerated persons in an effort to reduce recidivism in Iowa.

In previous roles she coordinated internal corporate efforts for multiple high-profile events including UWECI Day of Caring, Women’s Leadership Conference, Brucemorchestra and Introduce a Girl to Engineering.

Buch holds an AAS in Business Management focusing on Human Resources from Kirkwood Community College, a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Masters in Strategic Leadership from Mount Mercy University. She is also certified by Columbia University as an inclusive teacher within college classrooms.

She grew up in various cities and states throughout her upbringing. She was born in Joplin, Missouri and graduated high school in Decorah, Iowa.