Speakers
Serving as a thought leader in the diversity and inclusion discipline, Wil Chabrier, as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), is responsible for developing diversity and inclusion strategy and policy for the agency. As the primary representative on diversity and inclusion matters, he ensures that diversity and inclusion strategies and policies are aligned with the agency's business strategy, goals and functions and appropriately positioned within the organization. The CDIO integrates diversity and inclusion into the agency's overall mission and business objectives with the goal of increasing engagement, productivity and cultural competency of the Port Authority's work force.
Prior to his appointment as CDIO, Wil was the General Manager for Security and Operational Support in the Port Authority's Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department, Mr. Chabrier was responsible providing support for the protection of these critical transportation assets, including The George Washington Bridge, the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Within the Unit Wil's duties included monitoring the Department's compliance with environmental and worker health and safety regulations, its promoting of energy conservation and green technology initiatives, and the training of firefighters and other first responders. Wil later served as the General Manger for Customer Service and was responsible for TB&T customer communications, including website improvements for TBT programs and initiatives and customer service enhancement.
Mr. Chabrier has held the position of Director of Regional and Economic Development. As Director, he applied innovative tax credit programs to redevelop underutilized and contaminated industrial properties and oversaw the planning and construction of key ferry terminals in the New York and New Jersey region. Earlier, as General Manager of Business and Job Opportunity, he oversaw supplier diversity initiatives to ensure that minority owned, women owned and small businesses would successfully participate in the Agency's procurement of goods and services and capital construction projects. When Business Manager of the Waterfront Development Unit, he was responsible for developing large-scale waterfront residential and commercial projects in New York and New Jersey.
Throughout his career, Wil has served in key leadership positions in a number of
not-for- profit boards, including Aspira of New York, St. Joseph's Children's Services, The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, and the United Way of Essex and West Hudson Counties. He has volunteered at Williams College, his alma mater, as a mentor, served as Chairman of Williams Latino/a Alumni Network (WLAN), and served on the executive committee of the Williams College Alumni Society. He is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations: Williams College Bicentennial Medal Award, the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award, the New York Hispanic Legislators Award for Advocacy for Minority Businesses, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advocate of the Year.
Wil graduated from Williams College, attended Yale University's School of Organization and Management and received a Masters in Public Administration with Honors from Farleigh Dickinson University.