HGAR Hires Garcia as New Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

WHITE PLAINS—The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors recently welcomed Freddimir “Freddy” Garcia, of Poughkeepsie as its new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. In this newly created role, Garcia will lead the association’s efforts in developing and executing HGAR’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and initiatives. He will be working out of HGAR’s White Plains and Goshen offices.

The DEI Officer will also develop, implement, and promote proactive and integrative policies, strategies and practices that lead to a more inclusive work culture, and create an array of dynamic and innovative learning tools to ensure that its DEI goals are met. In addition, the DEI Officer will support HGAR’s staff, its leadership team, and its membership to ensure that HGAR’s programming, outreach and engagements reflect and promote HGAR’s DEI goals.

“We are happy and excited to welcome Freddy to our association, and we look forward to working with him,” said HGAR Chief Executive Officer Richard Haggerty. “He brings a wealth of business and community service experience, and will be a tremendous asset to our organization.”

Prior to joining HGAR, Garcia served as the Northern Regional Director for Diversity, Inclusion, & Community Engagement for the Westchester Medical Center Health Network for the past two years. While there, he oversaw diversity, inclusion, and community engagement for a workforce of 1,300 employees and a community covering Ulster and Dutchess counties.

Garcia previously acted as Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Inclusion, & Community Engagement for Marist College in Poughkeepsie. This inaugural cabinet-level role involved managing all diversity and inclusion initiatives for an institution of more than 5,500 students and about 1,000 staff members. He has served in several other capacities with Marist College since 2010.

An active member of the local community, Garcia is a current board member of Rhinebeck Bank, Family Services, Inc., RUPCO, Inc., Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, and was a recent member of the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights.

Garcia holds a Diversity and Inclusion Professionals Certificate from Cornell University, ILR School in Manhattan, and is a two-time Marist College graduate holding an MBA with a concentration in Financial Management, and a B.S. in Business Marketing.

He was also honored with the New York’s Latino “Forty Under 40 Rising Star Award” by The Hispanic Coalition of NY, Inc.; the “Forty Under 40 Shaker Award” by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the “Hispanic Heritage Award” by The Exempt Fireman Association.

The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors is a not-for-profit trade association representing more than 13,000 real estate professionals doing business in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties, as well as the Bronx and Manhattan. It is the second largest Realtor Association in New York, and one of the largest in the country.