Meet the Diversity and Inclusion Team

Dr. Lacretia Johnson Flash (she/her)

Senior Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion & Community, and Campus Culture and Climate

Dr. Lacretia Johnson Flash provides strategic vision and leadership for Berklee’s institutional diversity and inclusion initiatives and priorities. She advises Berklee’s leaders on strategies to achieve inclusive excellence and collaborates with stakeholders and partners across the institution to support the goal of becoming a more inclusive community. Flash oversees the Diversity and Inclusion team in the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Throughout her career, Flash has helped to lead institutional diversity and inclusion efforts and has contributed to the national conversation on diversity and multicultural change in higher education organizations through her research and scholarship on multicultural organizational development(Opens in a new window), and through a nationally recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion professional development series.

Prior to joining Berklee, Flash served as a senior advisor and chief of staff at the University of Vermont, where she helped establish the President’s Commission for Inclusive Excellence and led the implementation of the university’s Framework for Inclusive Excellence. As an educator, she has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on cultural pluralism in higher education, survey research methodology, leadership, and service learning. She believes that leading with compassion, authenticity, and humility are critical to creating spaces for deep learning and sustained engagement.

Flash earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Vermont, a Master of Education from the University of Maryland, and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland. In addition to her professional work, Flash is passionate about the visual arts, dance, and being in nature.

Dianne Whyte (she/her)

Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion & Community, and Campus Culture and Climate

Dianne Whyte joined the Berklee Community in 2024 as an executive assistant to Dr. Lacretia J. Flash, senior vice president for DEI, Community, Campus Culture, and Climate. In this role, she provides executive-level administrative support, manages a wide range of project work, and assists in advancing key institutional goals related to community-building, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Prior to Berklee, Whyte spent 13 years at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. During her time at Spelman, she held several positions, including senior administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost/Faculty Human Resources and program coordinator in the Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness. In those roles, she supported the implementation of major public events. 

Also, during her time in Atlanta, Whyte served as a production assistant for US State Representative and Civil Rights Activist John Lewis and Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. 

She is passionate about herbal holistic healing, event planning, and helping the underserved.

Alex Cabal (he/him)

Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Alex Cabal has worked in higher education for more than 17 years as an administrator, consultant, trainer, and presenter in the areas of inclusive leadership, academic affairs, and student affairs, including residence life, student activities, orientation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Cabal has worked with higher education institutions and nonprofits on efforts to educate student government associations, orientation staff, student affairs, and academic affairs leadership on equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts. He believes that authentic dialogue, reflection on our identities, an understanding of our history, and direct and consistent action are key to creating a more inclusive environment.

Cabal has been an active member of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) since 2005 and has held regional and national roles within the association, including national cochair for the Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community (GSKC) and regional director (2022–2024). He has been recognized regionally and nationally for his commitment and dedication to student affairs and for the work that he has done through the GSKC as well with Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community. Cabal is currently a member of the NASPA Foundation board of directors.

Born in Lima, Peru, Cabal moved to the United States when he was 12 years old. As a first-generation college student and son of immigrants, he believes that education is a right, not a privilege. His multiple identities have shaped the way he navigates his personal and professional worlds.

Outside of work, Cabal enjoys exploring new spots to eat, watching his favorite Netflix shows, traveling, attending concerts, plays, and musicals, and spending time with his husband, three kids, and two dogs.

Cabal earned his BA in communications with a concentration in public relations from the University of Hartford and completed his master’s degree in student personnel administration in higher administration at Springfield College.

Malachi Robinson (he/him)

Assistant Director of Programming, Engagement, and Learning 

Malachi Robinson has spent his entire higher education career as an administrator in multicultural affairs in the community college, private, and public sectors. His professional work is centered in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Robinson strives to be an equity-minded practitioner, supporting and advocating for historically underrepresented groups such as students of Color, LGBTQIA+ identifying students, undocumented, and many other minoritized groups. Robinson has a passion for education and is thrilled to be a part of the Berklee community.

Robinson earned his BA in gender sexuality and women’s studies from Montclair State University, and his master’s degree in higher education from Merrimack College. Robinson is currently a doctoral student at Springfield College.

Xotchil Martínez (she/her)

Administrative and Project Coordinator

Before Boston, Xotchil Martínez lived in Italy, where she served as a teaching assistant at ITT Artemisia Gentileschi.

Martínez received a BA from the University of Houston and an MA from University of Massachusetts Boston.

Beyond work, Martínez is a cinema enthusiast, an avid language learner, and a travel lover who enjoys exploring art exhibitions, trying new cafes, and diving into the fascinating world of astrology.