Kristy Lowther

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager, RTI International

she/her/hers

Kristy Lowther serves as the program manager for RTI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program. In this role, she leads RTI’s DEI Leadership Council and provides strategic oversight, budgetary input, interpersonal guidance, and mentorship to DEI leaders and employees across the Institute. She supports overall Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at RTI and collaborates extensively with the Racial Justice and Equity program.

Mx. Lowther is responsible for creating and implementing organizational DEI strategies, and she is an expert in the design, development, and delivery of in-depth LGBTQ+ training. She currently facilitates a 9-hour LGBTQ+ Workplace Equity Workshop to increase awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues among staff, with a specific focus on equity for transgender and non-binary employees. In everything she does, she works to advance DEI policies and practices to create an equitable culture at RTI.

As one of the founding co-chairs of the RTI Pride: LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG), Mx. Lowther has led collaborative efforts for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace at RTI since early 2017. Collaborating with other LGBTQ+ and ally leaders, she grew the RTI Pride: LGBTQ+ ERG from a grassroots effort to a dynamic, thriving ERG that provides community and professional development for LGBTQ+ employees and contributes significantly to RTI’s inclusive workplace culture. During her time as RTI Pride: LGBTQ+ ERG co-chair, she co-led the ERG through a 3-year strategic planning process, engaged senior leaders to generate support throughout the Institute, and successfully orchestrated multiple educational and awareness-raising events. Building on her role in the RTI Pride: LGBTQ+ ERG, in October 2018, she joined the DEI Leadership Council as the lead for the ERG Program, supporting ten domestic ERG chapters and three international chapters. She was subsequently appointed Deputy Chair of the DEI Council, prior to taking on the program manager role.