A Passion For Diversity

Deborah Dagit, chief diversity officer at Merck & Co.'s Whitehouse Station, NJ, headquarters, stands just 4 feet tall, but she has a large presence in the diversity community. Dagit played a key role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, working with then-Rep. Norman Mineta, a Democrat from California, to prevent efforts to weaken this important legislation. She also cofounded The Conference Board's first Workforce Council on Diversity in 1993 and works regularly with other thought leaders in the field. Dagit's passion for diversity permeates her life. Deb is such a visionary. She has the ability to pull people into that future place. Dagit originally planned to be a psychotherapist. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and then completing the coursework for a master's degree in clinical psychology, she began working with patients dealing with family issues such as marriage and childbirth. That's when she changed course. As a person with a visible disability, Dagit has a special gift and a unique challenge.