Changes

Agrace names Troy Polnitz DEI manager

Troy Polnitz. Photo supplied.

Palliative and geriatric care nonprofit Agrace has named Troy Polnitz as its diversity, equity and inclusion manager, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

In this role, Polnitz will guide Agrace’s ongoing work efforts to become a more diverse and inclusive environment for the benefit of its staff, patients and clients. The Madison-based health care nonprofit employs more than 850 people who work to fulfill its mission of providing hospice care, supportive care, non-medical senior care, adult day services and grief support.

A Fresno, Calif., native, Polnitz holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling from California State University, Fresno. He was involved in equity work in the California education system, serving as an access and ability specialist for California State University, and then transitioning to Fresno Unified School District as a diversity, equity and inclusion manager. He is a Certified Cultural Proficiency trainer-of-trainers.

“Over the past decade, Agrace has focused a great deal on becoming more inclusive and equitable in all of our business practices, including in how we deliver care to our patients and clients,” Agrace VP of human resources Kari Potter said in a statement. “Troy brings us experience and great energy. His leadership will motivate us to move our past efforts forward in new ways in the communities we serve.”

Agrace serves people across southern Wisconsin who are aging, seriously ill, dying or grieving. Most of the agency’s services are provided in people’s homes.