Meet the 2024 Unity Award Winners: Dan Terrio

AS MILWAUKEE COUNTY’S first diversity, equity and inclusion director, Dan Terrio is tasked with creating a workplace in which 4,000 employees feel like they belong. Along with promoting diverse hiring practices, Terrio – one of the only Native American and LGBTQ+ leaders within Milwaukee County – creates and implements DEI policies and education that guide the entire workforce.

In less than three years in the position, he has created the county’s first DEI Council, bringing together 45 employees from 20 departments to address workforce needs, and implemented a pronoun usage guide and gender-affirming policies for transitioning employees. A charismatic communicator, Terrio also regularly coaches county leaders and employees in DEI best practices, all with the goal of helping the workforce better serve the county...