Jessica Tantin, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, New England Aquarium

Jessica Tantin has over 16 years of professional experience in operations and DEI leading large teams and employee resource group hubs with Aramark in sports & entertainment, workplace hospitality, collegiate hospitality, as well as privately owned restaurants. Because she sits at the intersection of several marginalized identities and knows too well how it feels to be an “other” or an “only,” she is passionate about improving the workplace experience to make it more inclusive and equitable for all.  As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at The New England Aquarium, she collaborates with the Chief People and Diversity Officer to oversee and coordinate DEI efforts across people, programs and operations. She holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Hartford and a Master's Degree in Strategy, Management and Leadership from Michigan State University. Additionally, she has two Diversity & Inclusion certificates from Cornell and is a certified cultural intelligence (CQ®) facilitator.

Her favorite quote is, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." She is dedicated to this important work because the light given off together is greater than the light of one.