Shani Harvie
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The Economic Development Department (EDD) announced today that Shani Harvie will be stepping into a newly created position as Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion coordinator (JEDI Coordinator), EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said.
Harvie will be responsible for connecting minority-owned businesses and community organizations in underserved communities with economic development programs, resources, and opportunities. The position, approved through Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office, will work to address systemic inequities and create equitable representation for all New Mexico businesses, while ensuring diversity and inclusion are prioritized moving forward.
Harvie, a graduate from UNM Anderson School of Management, has served as Secretary Keyes’s executive assistant since 2019. She has been working proactively within the department to address the specific concerns of minority-owned businesses, most recently creating and delivering a 2-part online workshop, Miniseries for Business Owners of Color, with a focus on financing opportunities through small-scale alternative financial institutions and other business resources. Harvie also staffed the Governor’s Council for Racial Justice.
“It’s been one of the highlights for me as Cabinet Secretary of EDD to mentor Shani and provide her with the resources she needs to realize her potential within the department,” Keyes said. “Shani is intelligent, hard-working, and has vision and passion for helping New Mexicans.”
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to spur growth and development for all New Mexicans,” Harvie said. “Our state has the potential to be a leader in so many areas, and the adoption of this position shows our commitment to multicultural success and acknowledges the work we have to do as a state to ensure equitable options for all of our residents.”
The JEDI Coordinator is committed to carrying out EDD’s mission by working to increase economic opportunity and providing a place for businesses to thrive, creating a brighter future for New Mexico.
The position will support program visibility for existing EDD departments and divisions, focusing on the New Mexico Film Office, Outdoor Recreation Division, and Office of Science and Technology. These divisions represent some of the highest growth and most economically diverse industries in our state. The huge opportunities they offer make them the perfect place for the JEDI coordinator to make the most impact and move toward a more just economy for all New Mexicans.