Essen Otu has managed to successfully harness his passion diversity and inclusion by leveraging his experience and perspective to build more equitable and inclusive communities and institutions.  While his career has spanned the government, non-profit, healthcare and utility industries, Essen currently serves as the Manager for Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) at SRP where he is charged with accelerating the impact of diversity and inclusion and positioning SRP as a D&I leader.

Essen is a founder of Real Engagement through Active Philanthropy (REAP), a Black men’s philanthropy circle in partnership with the Arizona Community Foundation, is a former Virginia G. Piper fellow, currently serves on the boards of the Diversity Leadership Alliance, Vitalyst Health Foundation where we served as past Chairman of the board, and the Arizona Community Foundation.

Essen received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and graduate degree through the National Urban Fellows Program at Baruch College in New York.  Essen takes the most joy in being the proud husband of Allison Otu and father of three beautiful daughters, Sahara, Amel, and Aya Otu.