Yvette Clairjeane joined CPC in April of 2023 as the inaugural Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Manager. In this capacity, Yvette works closely with CPC senior leaders, operating committee, employees and external consultants to effectively drive and execute the DEI strategy and initiatives that align with CPC’s business goals and priorities. Yvette is responsible for creating and implementing DEI training, policies, as well as managing CPC internship and mentoring programs.

Prior to joining CPC, Yvette worked at the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) for seven and a half years in a variety of roles, most recently as the Recruitment, Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager. In that capacity, Yvette was the agency’s strategic lead on recruitment initiatives with a focus on diversifying the planning profession. With a deep commitment to increasing knowledge of the planning profession in traditionally underrepresented communities of color, providing professional development support for students, Yvette expanded DCP’s recruitment partners to focus on organizations and academic institutions with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) populations, ran a robust internship program and leveraged best practices to reduce barriers to entry into the planning profession. Yvette also helped spearhead the creation of a Racial Equity employee led group, served as a Senior Advisor of the Civic Engagement Studio and partnered with administration on several DEI initiatives and programming.

Yvette received her undergraduate degree in Government and Politics from St. John’s University and obtained her Masters degree in Urban Studies at The CUNY School of Professional Studies. Yvette also completed the Coro Leadership New York (LNY) program and is a member of Community Board 14 in Brooklyn.