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1049 State Ave. * Marysville, Washington 98270 * (360) 363-8000 * web: marysvillewa.gov Office of the Mayor News Release Contact: Doug Buell, Community Information Officer Office: (360) 363-8086 Cell: (425) 754-3641 Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] Jan. 26, 2012 Marysville woman honored with first Leader in Diversity Award for her founding role in Mayor’s Diversity Advisory Committee MARYSVILLE – Mayor Jon Nehring honored City Planning Commissioner and local Realtor Marvetta Toler with a first-ever Leader in Diversity Award for her role in forming the Mayor’s Diversity Advisory Committee. “Toler was a catalyst in creating the Diversity Committee when I launched it in November 2010,” said Nehring during an award presentation at the Jan. 23 City Council meeting. “We are very fortunate to have Marvetta as a citizen truly invested in making Marysville a better, and more diverse community.” Nehring said that during a conversation in 2010, he and Toler talked about the need to promote diversity more in Marysville, which led to forming the Committee. “I appreciated her tact and constructive approach to the matter, and she came with solutions.” Toler has been active on the 22-member Committee since its inception. The City’s new Leader in Diversity Award recognizes a community member, business or organization that displays long standing, continuing and exceptional leadership in fostering diversity in the community and society. The award is also intended to highlight the contributions of those who advance the cause of inclusivity in ways that foster positive changes to achieve equality of opportunities for all residents, while creating a harmonious environment. The Diversity Advisory Committee advises the Mayor on policy matters involving the community’s many cultures, and identifying issues concerning diversity and inclusion to ensure that the diverse character of the growing city is represented in decision- making processes. The Committee recently completed its two-year Diversity Work Plan after a year of meetings. The work plan serves as a set of priorities, goals and recommendations for increasing diversity in ---PAGE BREAK--- 1049 State Ave. * Marysville, Washington 98270 * (360) 363-8000 * web: marysvillewa.gov Marysville, and keeping the dialogue on inclusiveness going, with suggested actions to meet priorities and goals. Developing the Leader in Diversity Award was one of those actions. “I believe Marysville has much to gain by becoming a more inclusive, welcoming community that values diversity; so does Marvetta, and so do her fellow Committee members,” said Nehring. “It is more than just the right thing to do; diversity will enrich our community.” In addition to her continued involvement on the Committee, Marvetta is a: Member – Snohomish County Citizens for Human Rights Coalition Active in the Alaska/Oregon/Washington State Area Conference NAACP Member of Everett Community College’s Community Diversity Advisory Committee Past Member of the City of Everett’s Diversity Advisory Committee and the Prosperity Partnership Minority Economic Development Council She also served with the Marysville School District Board Recruitment Steering Committee and Citizens Planning Committee With her strong knowledge of real estate and economic development, Toler has also been involved with survey efforts to measure whether housing discrimination exists in Snohomish County, and to what degree.