INL worker retires after 27 years

For Arantza Zabala, she’s taken many steps in her life “I think it started when I was a little girl watching the civil rights movement and thinking if I lived there I’d be marching with them,”said Zabala.

As the Program Manger for Diversity and Inclusion at Idaho National Laboratory, she’s worked tirelessly to recruit talent from all backgrounds to come work for the lab. Some of the moments she remembers in her nearly 27 year career included encouraging workers from diverse cultures to work for the lab even during times in Idaho’s history when they didn’t feel as welcome.

INL tells us she joined the lab in 1989 as a sub-contractor administrator in procurement, and, apart from a two-year stint in operations, has spent the rest of her time working to increase diversity and inclusion

She also provided domestic partnership benefits to same sex couples- something that hits close to home as she has two gay brothers and a lesbian sister. “We’ve got to be inclusive because we’re competing with the rest of the world who want the brightest to work for them,” said Zabala.

“I feel fortunate, it’s been very rewarding, very challenging,” said Zabala.

Zabala also made strides in her role at INL in helping workers find jobs when the lab had several cutbacks “basically the premise was if you treat people with dignity and respect they will respond in kind,” said Zabala.

In addition to her work within the lab, Zabala is very active within the community advocating for many causes near to heart that correlate with her position. She’s volunteered with Breaking Boundaries, an organization that helps those affected by HIV/AIDS. She also works with the Hispanic Youth Symposium and has helped numerous students graduate from high school and pursue many academic and professional opportunities.

“For me it’s just about equality and the fairness of it all if everybody doesn’t have the same rights, “said Zabala.

Zabala plans to stay nearby in the Teton Valley after retirement where she’ll join the Board of Directors for the Teton Regional Land Trust.