Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday announced Mariana Monteiro as the state’s first chief equity and opportunity officer.
“You know, we live in a day and age where, down in Washington, [diversity, equity and inclusion] is being challenged, to put it mildly, and a lot of talk about a meritocracy,” Lamont said at a Capitol press conference announcing the appointment. “I don’t think you have a real meritocracy unless you do outreach and make sure everybody, regardless of background, knows that they have an opportunity to serve this state.”
Monteiro, who has previously served in DEI roles at Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and the Otis Elevator Company, will be charged with making state government more representative of the population it serves…