Scottsdale nonprofit Community Celebrating Diversity has named is three 2020 Diversity Champions for its upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Dinner early next year.

The organization named Rosa Casas, a regional banker district manager for Wells Fargo; Shannon Paloma, a social studies teacher at Arcadia High School; and Peter Rusin, executive director of Health World Education as diversity champions.

The honorees will be recognized at the celebration dinner, which takes place 5 p.m., Jan. 16, 2020, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort.

Diversity Champions, according to a press release, are individuals who exemplify the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and who have enriched the community by empowering others. Individuals can be nominated by anyone in the community. Eligible nominees must work, live or volunteer in Scottsdale.

As a regional banker district manager for Wells Fargo, Ms. Casas has shown team members how to see value in our differences and encourage an inclusive workplace.

She has led the Latin Connection Network and helped organize multiple events that promote diversity and encourage team members to engage and connect.

Ms. Casas also has a passion, a release claims, for volunteering and supporting the community. She regularly gives back individually or helps organize groups to give their time and hard work to charity organizations in Scottsdale and other parts of the Valley.

Ms. Paloma has taught social studies for seven years at Arcadia High School where she has served as the Student Government sponsor for three years and has been the African American Student Union sponsor for the past four years.

In September, thanks in part to her leadership, the Arcadia AASU received the “Next Generation Change Agent Award” at the NAACP Freedom Funds Awards.

Ms. Paloma, a release claims, puts students first, and she consistently has shown, through her deeds and her words, a passion for promoting an environment of inclusion and equity.

Mr. Rusin has committed himself to the health and welfare of children, and especially those less fortunate, for most of his career. His work in minority communities and his outreach to ensure all are included make him a very deserving recipient for this recognition.

Mr. Rusin started Horsense, a horse riding and alternative after-school program that teaches responsibility and respect. In its 20th year of serving students from Title 1 schools, Horsense has impacted more than 2,000 young people who would not otherwise have had an opportunity to learn life skills through equine experiences.

Mr. Rusin has also been part of CCD for about 20 years, performing the role of treasurer for many of those years, and has worked to bring Scottsdale’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration dinner to fruition each year.