Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Irina Meza is the Chief People Officer at The Kelsey. She is a high impact, people-centered and data driven leader with 20+ years of leadership experience. Her background includes operational and human resources leadership with strong quantitative, project management and planning skills. She has extensive cross-sector experience in program management, evaluation, strategic planning and implementation. Irina is an insightful strategist & consultant who has led consulting, training and facilitation for external organizations and groups in the nonprofit, business, corporate and government sectors.
Irina has deep knowledge of racial justice, social equity, participatory management, & shared leadership with an understanding of systemic and institutional racial bias and critical issues driving opportunity gaps, poverty, and inequity in communities. She is highly skilled in developing people-centered organizations, cultures of wellbeing and building high performing leaders and teams.
What part of The Kelsey’s mission are you proudest to be part of / support?
I am proud to be a part of and support The Kelsey’s mission to pioneer disability-forward housing solutions. By opening doors to more affordable homes and opportunities for everyone, The Kelsey is contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society where people with disabilities can fully participate and thrive. Their commitment to breaking down systemic barriers and creating housing solutions that center accessibility is inspiring and I am grateful to be a part of it.
What does it mean to you to be Disability-Forward? Why does it matter?
Disability-Forward means recognizing that systems and institutions create systemic issues and barriers for individuals with disabilities. This acknowledgement is important because once you understand systems and institutions were not designed to be inclusive and accessible, you recognize you can and must redesign them and center people with disabilities and their lived experience at the forefront.