Celebrating Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion with Carolyn Moncada

Carolyn Moncada is an Office Automation Assistant at one of DCAA’s Central Regional offices with 27 years of experience at DCAA and 46 years of experience within the Federal Government. As a dedicated member of the DCAA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) council, Carolyn passionately advocates for DEIA principles in the workplace and beyond.

Carolyn’s passion for DEIA extends beyond her office walls. In 2022, she traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich. to help the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). For over 60 days, Carolyn worked alongside other volunteers who served as Youth Care Workers and Case managers. There, they offered crucial support to teenage boys classified as Afghanistan Unaccompanied Children Refugees. Many of these children lacked birth certificates and recounted their escape from Afghanistan. The children often remembered escaping under gunfire from the Taliban or being lifted over a wall by their parents. Their parents wanted a better life for their children, even at the cost of separation.

Because of this experience, Carolyn learned more and gained an understanding of Afghan culture. She also observed the challenges created by cultural differences and varied treatment of the boys by other volunteers, interpreters, and social workers and the impacts they had on the children. Her commitment to fostering cultural understanding extends beyond her volunteer work. Carolyn researches and studies the culture and customs of every country she visits.

Her advocation serves to improve understanding in every interaction and encourages curiosity across cultures, “it is important that we respect each other’s differences and look for things we can embrace. What I would like to share is the importance to keep an open mind and not jump to conclusions when we meet others from a different background.” Carolyn’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of respecting differences and the impact seeking opportunities to embrace cultural diversity have throughout everyday life.