
Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, MA, UW Health Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Associate Dean for Diversity and Equity Transformation, leads a cross-functional office that consists of the SMPH Office of Diversity and Equity Transformation and the UW Health Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Leading the for the design and implementation. She is responsible for overall vision, coordination and strategic initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion including partnerships with community organizations to better connect and serve historically marginalized communities.
She completed her undergraduate degree at Ecole d´Interprètes Internationaux in Mons, Belgium, followed by a Master of Arts in International Policy Studies at Monterey Institute of International Studies in California. In 2015 she earned a Certificate in Diversity Management from Georgetown University.
In 1997 she first joined the health system to establish UW Health’s medical interpretation services program. She became director of community partnerships for UW Health, and then UW Health Chief Diversity Officer. In 2020 her health system role was elevated to a vice president position and in 2021 she was also named as the inaugural associate dean or diversity and equity transformation at UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
Bidar-Sielaff is an established leader and effective champion for advancing equity and diversity at the individual, organizational, and community levels. She has served as an alder on the City of Madison Common Council, co-chairs the Latino Health Council of Dane County, and is a member of the Access Community Health Centers board. She has also served on the Governor’s Health Equity Council and as a member of the Madison Community Foundation Board. Her many accolades include being named as a 2019-20 UW–Madison Outstanding Woman of Color.