Inclusion Is the Work: Why It Still Matters | Ep 11

In this powerful return to Heliona Insight, Dr. Michael Maclin—Superintendent of the Special School District of St. Louis County—joins us once again to dive deeper into the conversation that started it all: Inclusion.

Last time, Dr. Maclin left us with a message that resonated across industries: “DEI is not a department; it’s a mindset.” In this follow-up conversation, we explore what that mindset looks like in action—especially now, when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are facing scrutiny, burnout, and resistance across the professional landscape.

So what does it look like to prioritize inclusion when it’s no longer “trending”? Why should leaders double down, not back out? And how can we reshape our systems, conversations, and leadership styles to create workplaces where people truly belong?

From education to executive leadership, Dr. Maclin’s experience helps us reframe inclusion as ongoing work, not a policy or a PR checkbox. It’s about belonging. It’s about access. And it’s about the brave decisions leaders need to make even when it’s hard.

If you’re a leader, executive, or changemaker trying to understand what inclusive leadership looks like today—this is the episode for you.

🎧 Listen now and be reminded: inclusion isn’t an initiative. It’s the foundation for the future of work.