Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney is a name to reckon with in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) space. Over the years, she has successfully steered diversity efforts in higher education, government, law, and public service. Now, as Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, she is facilitating the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across every Roswell Park team and department.
Prior to joining Roswell Park in June of 2023, Crystal served the City of Buffalo as the 1st Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff to Mayor Byron W. Brown. Prior to this important role, she served as the Chief of Staff to the President of SUNY Buffalo State University, assuming the additional role of the Chief Diversity Officer at Buffalo State in 2020. From 2016 to 2020 Crystal served as the first Chief Diversity Officer of the City of Buffalo.
At Roswell Park, Crystal is taking things day-by-day, showing up every day as her authentic, energetic self, and doing her part to build an increasingly inclusive organization that everyone there can be proud to be a part of.
Beginning of a Career in DE&I
Crystal took her first step into DE&I space even before she embarked on her professional career. While she was an undergraduate student at Cal State San Marcos, she read a piece written by a fellow student, published in the college paper, that ridiculed the decision to add a ‘diversity related’ class to the General Education curriculum. The student opined that it was a “stupid” move. Crystal responded to that with a piece of her own.
In her piece, she enthusiastically advocated for such a requirement. She made the argument that it benefitted students and enhanced their educational experience to be able to learn about another background. Her premise was that a diversity of experiences leads to a more enhanced education and better equips students entering a diverse workforce.
“I know my advocacy for the underrepresented began long before, but that discourse sparked a passion in me that has remained,” Crystal says. “I feel it is imperative that we all be willing to learn and keep learning about diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
Inspiration for Stepping Up and Leading
DE&I leaders encounter many obstacles and challenges, including pushbacks. It is not always easy to be in this space, but there is a need for people who are willing to step up and lead. Crystal derives her inspiration to step into the senior leadership role from her definition of success.
For her, success means being able to operate within one’s true purpose of calling, being able to do whatever she is passionate about, and how she can be of use in the best possible way.
She feels a sense of fulfillment when she successfully advocates for the ‘underdog’, the marginalized, and the underestimated. That fulfillment, Crystal says, is, for her, the definition of success. “Giving a voice to those who have been historically excluded and marginalized is what inspires me,” she adds.
In the initial years of her career, Crystal received the support of many leaders. “Having seen those before me who helped to amplify my voice when I had none, still inspires me,” she says.
Crystal is filled with ideas and energy to do the work she is doing. One word that best describes her leadership style is energetic.
Dealing with Multiple Challenges
Challenges are a common thread in every inspirational leader’s journey. Crystal, too, has overcome multiple challenges to reach a position that allows her to drive change and make a difference.
For a young Crystal, the inner-city, where she grew up, posed many challenges. “Navigating that environment was often difficult,” she says. “The financial challenges were roadblocks that I know can hinder if not outright halt, progress.” Undaunted, she pushed through, and she was determined to find ways around every roadblock she encountered. As a result, she acquired valuable lessons. And every challenge forced her to learn to invest in herself even when no one else would.
Crystal sometimes had to put in more effort than others to overcome a challenge. She recalls that for her, it required more work than others were willing to put in just to get to the same place as them. “It’s frustrating but being willing to put in that extra work taught me the value of it, and to this day, I never shy away from it,” she adds.
When Crystal stepped into the leadership role, she encountered a new set of challenges. Women leaders of color are often labeled aggressive when they assert themselves. It can, at times, be difficult for them to ensure that they have a place at the table. “And making sure your voice is heard when you’re at the table can also be just as difficult,” Crystal points out.
“Being a woman of color in a leadership position is difficult – FULL STOP,” she adds. But it is those challenges that inspire her every day.
The Role of Chief Diversity Officer
As the Chief Diversity Officer, Crystal’s primary responsibility is facilitating the integration of DEI across every Roswell Park team and department. For that, she is collaborating closely with other senior leaders.
Crystal is “fairly new” to her position at the comprehensive cancer center. She is, therefore, in the process of building her team and getting to know them. “I am building a team, reviewing internal policies, and getting to know the wonderful and diverse people at Roswell Park and in the community,” Crystal says.
As a leader, Crystal is big on tapping into passions and encouraging people to work within their passion in order to be successful. She is also big on self-care. “You can’t pour from an empty cup so taking time to find new and fun ways to recharge and share with my team is something I really enjoy,” she says.
Since Crystal began working at Roswell Park, no day has been the same for her. As a result, she is finding it difficult to balance personal responsibilities with workload. “I am still learning how to do this consistently and well,” Crystal says, adding, it can be a challenge to be intentional about being present in everything she does.
In her previous job as Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff, Crystal was on call 24 hours a day. Something was always going on, and for her, it was difficult to maintain a work-life balance. “But I’m blessed to be in a new environment that encourages this balance,” she says.
DE&I Is a Priority for Roswell Park
The mission of Roswell Park is to fight cancer. Founded in 1898, it is the nation’s first cancer center and the first center dedicated to cancer research in the world. In addition to many historic firsts, the Buffalo, New York-based cutting-edge research institute has also made important contributions to cancer research, treatment, prevention, and survivorship. It follows a multidisciplinary approach to offer the highest quality cancer care.
“Roswell Park is an amazing organization and for the short period of time I have been here, I feel supported,” Crystal says. She also recognizes that lots of work needs to be done to infuse DE&I into the organization. She, therefore, feels blessed to be the first Senior Vice President in the DE&I role, which according to her, provides her with a unique opportunity to make a difference.
Crystal intends to draw inspiration from the energy of patients who are fighting cancer. “We get so much inspiration from our patients’ strength, their resilience,” she says. She is also looking forward to being inspired by Roswell Park’s continuing legacy of innovation and making things better, to which it has always been dedicated.
Crystal believes that diversity and inclusion will remain a priority at every level in Roswell Park. A diverse community, according to her, makes the cancer center’s team exponentially more impactful in every area they touch. “So, our vision is a Roswell Park where one’s race, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, ability or nationality is not a barrier to success, and we will diligently continue to work to achieve this,” Crystal says.
DE&I Is a Relationship Discipline
Many leaders consider the work of advancing DE&I in the workplace as a function of just compliance or human resources (HR). Crystal does not think of it as compliance or strictly HR discipline. For her, it is very much a relationship discipline. “If we start from a place where we’re focused on building relationships, then it becomes everyone’s work and not just the work of the Chief Diversity Officer and their team,” she says.
She also highlights that cancer is an inclusive disease. It impacts people from all backgrounds. That reality underscores how important it is that Roswell Park’s work reaches and impacts people from all backgrounds. “So, we can’t afford to not be committed to JEDI work – to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion,” says Crystal.
Integrity is key to getting the work done in the JEDI space. It is because “trust is imperative” to accomplish the work. “Once you lose trust, you lose the ability to effectuate change and be an effective advocate,” Crystal explains. “Authenticity comes to mind not only in how people are able to present themselves but also in ensuring it in our work. If we have no integrity, if we are not authentic, we have failed in our work before even starting.”
She also points out that ideas do not need to be always innovative, as sometimes the simplest of thoughts are the most transformative.
Personal Life and Goals
Crystal is a mother to four children. Her oldest son works in the field of exercise science and health, her second son is a math teacher, and her youngest son is serving in the U.S. Navy just like his mother – who too served in the Navy. Crystal is sure that her 13-year-old daughter will continue to make her proud in whatever she decides to do. All her children are proud of her and recognize the work she has done. Their recognition, she considers, is the “best recognition.”
Over the years, Crystal has won several awards. Her work has been recognized by organizations whose work is close to her heart. They have recognized her advocacy and applauded her historic ‘firsts’ achievements. But, for her, the greatest recognition is the recognition given to her by her four children. “My kids have said they’ve seen me struggle but they’ve never seen me quit, and that has inspired them to do great things,” she says.
As someone who believes in the ‘lift as you climb’ school of thought, Crystal is making a space for the next generation of leaders. It is a space where they can be themselves and take the reins when it is time. “It’s my job to try to make things easier for them,” she says.
One day, when she will be the ‘older woman’ hearing about new ways of doing things in the DE&I space, she wants to be able to say, “I helped create an environment where they feel they can shine and show up as their best selves.”
Crystal wants to gracefully enter her retirement years, knowing she put in good work helping build a foundation for women who are going to step into the DE&I space.
Message for Aspiring Women Leaders
In a message for aspiring women leaders, Crystal stresses the importance of rest.
“Rest is not something you earn, it’s something you need,” she says. “Don’t believe the hype that suggests we burn ourselves out on the way to the top. There is power, wisdom, and clarity in rest.”
