Women Who Advocate: Meet Two JJR Women Committed to Diversity
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting two JJR women — Erin Kunkle and Ani Thompson — who are championing diversity in tune with this year’s theme of Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Learn more about Erin and Ani’s journey in diversity and what drives their advocacy.
Erin Kunkle
JJR: Tell us more about what you do at JJR.
Erin: As JJR Vice President of Corporate Services, I develop, communicate, and implement all functions that support an employee’s journey. As one of JJR’s many culture protectors, it is important to me to ensure JJR employees stay true to JJR’s values as we serve our clients and communities. Also, I can be found on the office floor playing with, petting, and snuggling all the office dogs.
JJR: How have you personally been involved in advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion in your community or workplace?
E: With the support of JJR, I serve as an executive board member and vice chair to YWCA Dayton. The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
JJR: What fuels your passion for equity?
E: As a daughter of an immigrant, social justice was and has always been part of my DNA. I have seen and heard stories of my mother being “othered” in the U.S., but it never stopped her dedication to her personal education and career. Now, being a mother to a brilliant young girl, there is a torch of equity and equality that I just can’t put down. I must do what I can, with what I have, to ensure a better future for both of my children.
JJR: Can you share a success story or a moment of positive change that resulted from your advocacy?
E: At work, I am proud of the progress JJR has made around pay equity and pay transparency. In my personal life, any time I hear of my kids being kind to others who may not have as much or may be disadvantaged in some capacity, that fills my cup as a mother.
JJR: What advice do you have for those wanting to be more active with equity, diversity, and inclusion?
E: Start small. I think at one point in all our lives we have thought about making the world a better place. That’s a huge undertaking. But if you can lean in and help in small ways in your community, your efforts and passion will feel like the world to those in need.
Ani Thompson
JJR: Tell us more about what you do at JJR.
Ani: I am the JJR Social Media Manager on the Market Development and Growth Team. I’m responsible for raising awareness and understanding of JJR business, culture, people, and values on our social media platforms. I started with JJR beginning in 2017 on one of our U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs contracts and have had the privilege to spread my wings and grow in different parts of the company.
JJR: How have you personally been involved in advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion in your community or workplace?
A: As social media manager, I feel it is my responsibility to show as much diversity as possible on our platforms, and it’s something I don’t take lightly. I genuinely love showing off our people, because they’re doing amazing things at their jobs and in their communities. They deserve the spotlight, and I’m humbled I get to be a conduit of that.
JJR: What fuels your advocacy?
A: Growing up I didn’t see a lot of people like me. I’m Afro-Latina, but the media usually only shows one kind of Latino, especially when I was growing up, but things are getting better now in terms of visibility. I always knew that if I ever got the opportunity, I would want to show diversity in my work so that hopefully the younger folks behind me wouldn’t feel invisible like I did for so many years.
JJR: Can you share a success story or a moment of positive change that resulted from your advocacy?
A: As mentioned, I’ve been with JJR for many years. I’ve always loved our company; it felt genuine from the moment I was hired (fun fact: Erin Kunkle onboarded me 😊). But I did see that we didn’t have enough diversity in our employee base. I expressed this concern to a leader (nervously, might I add), and I can say that over time, I saw a concerted effort to hire intentionally. I’m not taking sole credit for this shift — I could never, but what I am saying is that speaking up about something, even when you’re nervous, might be the tipping point for change.
JJR: What advice do you have for those wanting to be more active with equity, diversity, and inclusion?
A: Erin said it so well, and I couldn’t agree more. Start small. Choose something that’s near and dear to you and grow from there. For me, it’s been representation in media and in my own little nook of the world. I’m so proud that I get to show our wonderful people. We are not superwomen, but there are little things we can do that can lead to big change.
ABOUT JJR SOLUTIONS
Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, JJR Solutions is a Veteran-owned business working to improve the health, well-being, and security of our communities and nation through management consulting and technology solutions. To learn more, visit jjrsolutions.com.
