ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Tompkins County’s newest Chief Equity and Diversity Officer is eager to get to work.

On March 3, Leon Holden, the Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Family and Children’s Service of Ithaca, was unanimously appointed by lawmakers at the Tompkins County Legislature meeting.

Holden shared a personal anecdote on his professional journey.

A career Human Resources professional, Holden is active in the community and ran for the Ithaca Common Council last year before ultimately losing in the Democratic primary to Jorge Definidini. He takes over for Charlene Holmes, who stepped down last October after more than two years in the role.

You can watch the full meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature and Mr. Holden’s comments here.