Mountain States Region Director of Development Beth Yohe shares her ADL journey and her passion for fighting discrimination of all kinds.

How are you involved with ADL?

For the past month, I have been the Director of Development.  For the 16 years prior, I have worked in the Education Division for ADL.  I have had four offices and six different titles during my tenure.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A back-up singer for a Motown group, like The Four Tops or The Supremes.

Where were you born? From where do your ancestors hail?

I was born in Cedar Rapids, IA and we moved to Garland, Texas when I was six.  I lived in Texas until I moved to Colorado for graduate school.

My ancestors are from Europe.  The Yohe side of the family were Pennsylvania Dutch and came here before the Civil war.

What’s your favorite holiday?

Halloween.

What’s your favorite food?

Food of the Asian variety.  Pretty much anything that typically goes with steamed white rice.

Do you have a favorite book?

I have many favorite books, but my most recent is Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

What’s one thing every person should know or experience?

Everyone should know and understand the concept of privilege and how it plays out in the United States.  We cannot truly address systemic discrimination if we don’t also address privilege.

What teacher or class stands out to you the most in your education and why?

I had several courses in college that focused on the Civil Rights Movement that were very pivotal for me.  I also was very involved in college in extra-curricular activities.  It was at Texas A&M where I first got involved with anti-bias facilitation and training.  Those experiences set the course for my vocational and personal aspirations.

Where can we find you when you’re not working?

With my amazing two girls and spouse.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Rice and chocolate.

If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

I have spent much of my life teaching about diversity, inclusion and social justice and hope that I continue to do that in ways both formal and informal.

How did you first become involved in ADL?

In college, I went to A CAMPUS OF DIFFERENCE Conference at SMU in Dallas.  After that conference, I reached out the Dallas ADL office and was an intern there before my senior year of college.

Complete this sentence: For me, the ADL is …

ADL is a strong and enduring organization because of the strength of its mission.  From its inception, ADL recognized that you cannot fight one form of discrimination without fighting all forms of discrimination.   I am so pleased that in my new position I will have the opportunity to ensure that mission will endure.