On June 12, Hanan Zawideh became Peninsula College’s first Vice President for Human Resources and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). With over 17 years of leadership experience in the public, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role in advancing the college’s mission and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Zawideh comes to PC from Children’s Institute in Portland, OR, where she served as the chief equity human resource officer. In that position she led the organization’s equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion committee, and was responsible for their human resource strategy, with a focus on building a culture of belonging.
“Belonging is not just a buzzword; it is a basic human need and is the foundation upon which we build a thriving and vibrant community,” she said, “I am honored to join Peninsula College and contribute to the growth and development of its diverse community. I firmly believe in the power of collaboration, empathy, and fostering an inclusive environment to empower individuals and promote organizational excellence. Together, we will create a campus with a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and inspired to reach their full potential.”
Prior to her time at Children's Institute, Zawideh served in positions including corporate human resource and payroll manager, career and college resource specialist, and managed the corporate social responsibility work in Qatar and Bahrain for a global bank.
Zawideh moved from Michigan to the Pacific Northwest in 2018, and lived in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai and the UK before moving to the U.S in 1992. She and her husband Jerry are parents to two daughters. She loves cooking and entertaining family and friends and finds solace in reading by the water.
“With her diverse background, passion for continuous learning, and commitment to creating an inclusive community, Hanan is poised to make a lasting impact at Peninsula College,” PC President Suzy Ames said. “Her extensive experience in human capital development, culture building, team leadership, and organizational change will be instrumental in driving the college's HR and DEI initiatives forward. “