02/25/2026
“I’ve always wanted to help people,” says Tatiana Thomas, Director of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) at Service Coordination, Inc. (SCI).
Tatiana’s journey to social impact began while working as a merchandiser in the fashion industry, during which she discovered her true passion wasn’t making clothes, but rather, making a difference in the lives of others.
“People of all different roles and levels would come to me and confide in me,” Tatiana recalls. “I would talk to my supervisor on their behalf and make suggestions about what we could do to resolve problems. It was my boss who told me I have a high emotional intelligence and helped me realize I have an innate ability to advocate for others.”
Early career opportunities at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA), introduced Tatiana to inclusion work and helped shape her career path. While serving as co-chair of the LCPA DEI council, she partnered with the COO (who was also her supervisor) to hire a consulting firm to develop a comprehensive DEI strategy. Afterward, her supervisor encouraged her to connect with the firm and explore what it would take to pursue a career in inclusion consulting, guidance that ultimately helped set her on her current path.
“She was my compass,” Tatiana says of her boss. “She helped steer me in the right direction.”
Tatiana shares that she has been fortunate to have many strong female leaders guide her throughout her career, each offering advice along the way. “Some of the most valuable feedback I’ve ever received is to remember my why – why you’re doing this work and who you are while you’re doing it,” she says. “If any job ever makes you lose sight of that, it’s important to either make a change or be the change.”
Tatiana says working at SCI allows her to live out her “why” every day, noting that her favorite part of her job is being able to be herself while making an impact. “Even remotely, I’ve been able to build relationships across all levels of the organization and show up genuinely as who I am. I hope that in every conversation, I leave a trail for others to learn and grow.”
Tatiana draws inspiration from many places, including her family and the next generation. “My nieces and nephews inspire me to be a better version of myself,” she shares. “I hope that by interacting with people thoughtfully, there’s a ripple effect that makes the world a little better.” Her pride in her personal accomplishments is equally inspiring. “I am most proud of being the first generation in my family to graduate college and pursue a career independently,” she says. “I am living my great-grandmothers’ and grandmothers’ wildest dreams.”
Tatiana hopes her work and presence inspire others to grow both personally and professionally. “I hope I inspire people to be better – not just in what they do, but in who they are. To pursue hobbies and happiness beyond work, to show up as good humans, and to give one another grace,” she says. “You don’t know what you don’t know, and we’re all on a journey to learn how to respect and understand each other.”
Finally, Tatiana shares a message for the next generation of young Black women: “Your hair texture, your skin color, your eye color, the shape of your lips, and the shape of your body don’t determine how Black you are. You don’t need validation of your ethnicity or culture from anyone except yourself. If you can’t find fellowship or community in your family, you can find it in yourself. As long as you’re able to exude that beauty to the world, the community will come to you.”
This , we honor Tatiana for her leadership, her advocacy, and her unwavering commitment to lifting others while staying true to herself.
SCI’s mission is rooted in our commitment to inclusion. Learn more about how IDEA is integrated throughout our organization: https://bit.ly/4rEcJcp.
