SIX OFFICERS RECOGNIZED WITH DON CRYER AWARD FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06505871
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 4, 2020
• Case Number: F-2016-00691

Approved for Release: 2020/08/03 C06505871
Produced by the Office cif Public Affair,
(U) Six Officers Recognized with Don Cryer Award for Diversity and Inclusion
(U) In the Headquarters auditorium, D/CIA Brennan praises the 26 Donald R. Cryer Award
nominees work to advance diversity and inclusion at CIA.
(U) On 11 May, six officers received the Donald R. Cryer Award for Diversity and Inclusion at a ceremony held at
Headquarters. Center for Mission Diversity and Inclusion (CMDI) Director Maja Lehnus thanked the 26 nominees for their
contributions in fostering diversity and inclusion at the Agency.
(U) "Today we honor officers who have worked diligently to assure the Agency environment is one that supports and
values the unique contributions each officer makes to the Agency mission," Lehnus said. "The Agency is a better place
as a result of their service. As we honor them today, we also challenge them to continue their work so that others may
follow their example."
(U) Director Brennan emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion. "Fostering diversity is essential to who we are
and what we do. On a very basic level, diversity matters to us because it is rooted in our Nation's abiding belief in equality
of opportunity. But diversity is also a mission imperative for CIA. For a number of reasons, it is critical to performing the
work that has been entrusted to us by the American people."
(U) The Director also praised Cryer, for whom the award is named, and his 40-year career at CIA. "Don, more than
anyone else, has championed the cause of diversity and inclusion at CIA," he said.
(U) Cryer also spoke, highlighting the reasons for improving diversity and inclusion at the Agency: "Diversity and inclusion
are not just about fairness and equality of opportunity, but also about building and empowering a diverse workforce that
possesses the skills, cultural background, and experiences necessary to detect and defeat the worldwide threats against
our nation."
(U) Lehnus presented the awards to the following officers:
(U) Gina Bennett, Directorate of Analysis (DA), was recognized for highlighting women's contributions across the Agency.
She was featured in the October 2014 "Women in War" episode of the PBS Documentary "Makers: Women Who Make
America" on the role of the Agency's female analysts in the "war on terror," and ensured thatAgency Resource Groups
and members of the DA's Diversity and Inclusion Group regularly participated in Structured Analytic Technique exercises.
(U) Directorate of Support, was recognized for her work as co-chair of Director Brennan's Diversity in
Leadership Study and for serving as the co-chair of the Black Executive Board, where she created strategies to develop
CONFIAFNTIAI
Approved for Release: 2020/08/03 C06505871
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