LifeSource Announces Nichole Salaam as First DEI Director

New leadership role to focus on achieving more inclusion in donation & transplantation

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, LifeSource announced Nichole Salaam as its first Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Director. Salaam will lead the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion program both at the programmatic and administrative levels to drive one of two “Bold Aims” set for the organization’s future.

In addition to saving more lives, LifeSource set a “Bold Aim” of achieving more inclusion with a focus on two key areas:

1. LifeSource team will reflect the diversity of our community by 2025; and

2. LifeSource will achieve equity in saying “yes” to organ, eye and tissue donation by 2030. Currently, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities say “yes” to organ donation, on average, at a 20% lower rate than the white population.

“LifeSource is incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to connect with the community through efforts like our ‘Talk Donation’ and ‘Barbershop Conversations’ campaigns,” said Susan Mau Larson, LifeSource Chief Strategy Officer. “However, there’s more work to be done. Nichole’s passion and expertise will serve as a critical driver in achieving our two-part bold aim around inclusion.”

In one of her first initiatives, Salaam will be engaged in LifeSource’s newly convened Community Advisory Council comprised of community leaders, experts and donation advocates throughout the Upper Midwest. This group provides guidance for the development of an effective and sustainable DEI program and serves as an important link connecting LifeSource to the community.

“It’s an honor to use my expertise to serve the important mission of saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation,” said Salaam. “I look forward to building upon the work that’s already been done by LifeSource to establish trust and generate awareness in the community.”

Prior to joining LifeSource, Nichole served as the Director of Equity and Engagement at Project for Pride in Living in Minneapolis.

About LifeSource

LifeSource is the non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation in the Upper Midwest, serving more than seven million people in communities across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. LifeSource promotes donation in our communities through the Donate Life brand. We are relentlessly pursuing a day when no one dies waiting for a life-saving transplant. Learn more at Life-source.org.