Our People

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee

Diversity tree hero

Leading Change

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to achieving Exponent's vision and mission. As part of the firm's efforts to enable a culture of belonging where diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded, CEO Catherine Corrigan appointed an advisory committee of employees to work with her on these important issues.

Our Committee Members

Lijie Yang, Ph.D.
Susan Bomba, P.E., PMP, CCM
Catherine Corrigan, Ph.D.
Claudio V B Favero, Ph.D.
Manuel Garcia-Leiner, Ph.D.
Kofi Inkabi, Ph.D.
Jenny Irwin
Marysol Luna, Ph.D.
John Moalli, Sc.D.
Sally Shepard
Rob Sunley, Ph.D.
Jessica Vargas, Ph.D.
Susan Bomba, P.E., PMP, CCM
"In my career I've seen the positive impact that inclusivity can bring to different industries. My goals of being on the committee include helping to develop practical strategies and metrics for the company's diversity initiative as well as to be a mentor for others."
Susan Bomba, P.E., PMP, CCM
Construction Consulting
Principal
Contact Susan
Catherine Corrigan, Ph.D.
"Creating an unrivaled environment of engineering and scientific expertise, collaboration, and opportunity for exceptional people means building a culture of true inclusion and belonging"
Catherine Corrigan, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Contact Catherine
Claudio V B Favero, Ph.D.
"My main goals in serving on this committee are to participate and contribute to the development of strategies and programs to promote and quantify equity and inclusion and also to share my perspective as a gay Latino on the sense of belonging in the firm environment."
Claudio V B Favero, Ph.D.
Thermal Sciences
Manager
Contact Claudio
Manuel Garcia-Leiner, Ph.D.
"I would like to provide a perspective from someone who immigrated to this country, and who has directly experienced the benefits and difficulties of immersing into a different culture, where language, food, and social interactions and expectations are different."
Manuel Garcia-Leiner, Ph.D.
Polymer Science and Materials Chemistry
Senior Manager
Contact Manuel
Kofi Inkabi, Ph.D.
"I am conscious that my perspective and voice are not universal within my ethnic or age demographic. As such, it is also my goal to reach out and engage employees of color and bring those diverse perspectives to the committee in addition to my own."
Kofi Inkabi, Ph.D.
Buildings and Structures
Principal
Contact Kofi
Jenny Irwin
"My goal is to help create processes and programs that will bring both education and provide structure in our efforts to minimize bias and create a more welcoming and equitable culture for all candidates and employees. There is so much we can accomplish when we work together!"
Jenny Irwin
Director, Recruiting
Marysol Luna, Ph.D.
"My goal is to make sure that Exponent offers an environment that is welcoming and offers the opportunity for success to people from different genders, affinity groups, levels, roles, ages, offices, and departments/practices."
Marysol Luna, Ph.D.
Biomechanics
Senior Associate
Contact Marysol
John Moalli, Sc.D.
"Of the two dozen students I taught at Stanford in the fall quarter, the tremendous diversity among gender, race, nationality, and religious affiliation contributed in an amazing way to the philosophy of inclusion in design learned by the students. I hope to bring my experience with the benefits of diverse groups and teams to the committee."
John Moalli, Sc.D.
Polymer Science and Materials Chemistry
Principal
Contact John
Sally Shepard
"I have devoted many years of my career to Exponent. I hope that diversity, equity and inclusion being embedded in the culture is part of my legacy."
Sally Shepard
Chief Human Resources Officer
Contact Sally
Rob Sunley, Ph.D.
"I look forward to embedding the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and to also promoting the benefits to the company."
Rob Sunley, Ph.D.
Chemical Regulation and Food Safety
Senior Managing Scientist
Contact Rob
Jessica Vargas, Ph.D.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a stark reminder that the price of marginalization is real and measurable. While the challenges of equity and inclusion that we face at Exponent are distinct from those of underserved communities, I view this committee as an opportunity to help ensure that our firm remains committed to effecting change — both internally and in our communities."
Jessica Vargas, Ph.D.
Polymer Science and Materials Chemistry
Principal Scientist
Contact Jessica
Lijie Yang, Ph.D.
"I would like to help promote appreciation of cultural differences and offer an insight on overcoming cultural barriers in the work place."
Lijie Yang, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering
Senior Manager
Contact Lijie
Catherine Corrigan, Ph.D.
Claudio V B Favero, Ph.D.
Manuel Garcia-Leiner, Ph.D.
Kofi Inkabi, Ph.D.
Jenny Irwin
Marysol Luna, Ph.D.
John Moalli, Sc.D.
Sally Shepard
Rob Sunley, Ph.D.
Jessica Vargas, Ph.D.
Lijie Yang, Ph.D.
Susan Bomba, P.E., PMP, CCM

The committee's charter is to:

  • Offer advice and recommendations regarding diversity, equity and inclusion goals and actions
  • Serve as a mechanism for gathering information and feedback on diversity, equity and inclusion topics
  • Provide perspective on progress toward goals
  • Identify strategies to promote a diversity, equity and inclusion voice in all firm communications
  • Share perspective from different genders, affinity groups, levels, roles, ages, offices, and departments/practices
  • Support the connectivity between company leadership, employees and employee network groups
  • Act as ambassadors of our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to employees, clients, candidates, investors, and other stakeholders