How to Make the Case for Inclusion in 2025

Angela-Gabrielle Pajarito Lacerna is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with a unique journey shaped by her experiences as an immigrant from the Philippines and her diverse background in music and education. As an Associate Director at Seramount, Angela cultivates impactful partnerships across industries, including Retail, Custom Software & IT Services, HR & Staffing, Management Consulting, Government, and Nonprofit sectors. Her dedication to DEI is both personal and professional, and she is committed to helping organizations foster lasting, positive change.

In addition to her role at Seramount, Angela serves on the board of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) DC, where she leads initiatives that support the professional development of Asian Americans. She is also actively engaged in Employee Resource Group (ERG) programming, contributing to AANHPI Heritage Month and Filipino American Heritage Month (FAHM) celebrations.

Angela holds a BA from Franklin & Marshall College and an MA from Columbia University. She resides just outside Washington, D.C., where she enjoys visiting museums, taking dance classes, and cooking.

Jon Veasey-Deters is a Senior Research Analyst on the Insights team at Seramount. In his role, Jon supports Chief Diversity Officer Collaborative members with custom research on current topics such as keeping DEI strong in volatile times, Gen Z talent in the workplace, and Generative AI’s role in the talent lifecycle. He also supports Diversity Best Practice members with on-demand research on topics of interest. Prior to this role, Jon worked on the short-term K-12 research team at EAB.

Jon graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary with a Masters of Theological Studies and the University of Virginia with a BA in Political Science. He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia and in his free time enjoys cooking, pursuing his sommelier certification, and traveling.

Chantel C. Smith is a dynamic business consultant, DEI leader, and sought-after speaker dedicated to driving business transformation through people-centered strategies. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in strategy development, talent management, and organizational effectiveness, helping companies build sustainable and inclusive workplaces.

Before transitioning to full-time consulting, Chantel served as Vice President of Global DEI and Talent Management at a leading PR firm, where she spearheaded large-scale initiatives to enhance workplace culture, improve employee engagement, and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into business operations. Her expertise spans corporate, agency, and nonprofit sectors, where she has partnered with leaders to develop high-impact programs that drive measurable change.

Chantel’s approach blends strategic planning, data analysis, and long-term transformation to help organizations implement scalable, sustainable solutions. She has led initiatives that increased leadership diversity, improved talent mobility, and elevated both employee and client experiences. A recognized thought leader, she frequently speaks on DEI strategy, brand positioning, and business innovation.

Chantel holds a B.S. in Professional Communications and an MBA. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, embracing new experiences, and giving back to her community.