Inclusive Leader Spotlight

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with Kari Heistad, CEO of Culture Coach International, a DEI expert with 30 years of experience helping organizations build inclusive cultures. Kari is known for creating "Aha moments" that shift perspectives and foster deeper connections in the workplace.

In this episode, Kari shares:

• The critical importance of aligning DEI with organizational strategy.
• How psychological safety fosters innovation an...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with Dr. Matthew Zakreski, co-founder and lead psychologist at The Neurodiversity Collective. Dr. Matt is an expert in supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, autism, giftedness, and dyslexia, and has delivered over 500 talks worldwide on neurodiversity, mental health, and advocacy. In this episode, Dr. Matt shares his insights on how leaders can create psychologically safe w...

In this episode of the Inclusive Leader Spotlight, your host, Juan Taveras, sits down with Dr. Alejandra Mielke, founder of Alejandra Mielke PhD Coaching and Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in leadership development and a deep commitment to fostering Latino professional growth, Dr. Mielke brings a wealth of knowledge on creating inclusive workplaces.

Dr. Mielke dives into her four-component framework for building cultur...

In this episode of the Inclusive Leader Spotlight, your host, Juan Taveras, sits down with Limor Bergman Gross, executive coach and former engineering leader, to discuss empowering women in the tech industry to break through career barriers. With over two decades of experience in tech, Limor shares her journey from being one of the few women in engineering leadership roles to coaching ambitious women to achieve their goals. Limor e...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with Tony Chatman, President of Chatman Enterprises and a corporate relationship expert known for his work in dismantling the dysfunction that hinders organizational success. Tony is an expert on leadership, culture, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), helping organizations foster environments where people and processes thrive. In this episode, Tony delves into the role of leadership in drivin...

In this episode of the Inclusive Leader Spotlight, your host, Juan Taveras, sits down with Taeler Hammond, CEO, Founder, and Managing DEI Consultant of Nouveau Paige Consulting. Taeler brings her industrial-organizational psychology and leadership development expertise to the conversation, focusing on how organizations can foster environments where employees feel valued, seen, and empowered.

Throughout the discussion, Taeler highlig...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with Kim Clark, Founder and Owner of Kim Clark Communications, a no-nonsense DEI communications agency where language leads to action. Kim is a dynamic leader in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) communications, with a unique approach that integrates storytelling, internal communications, and DEI strategy. As the co-author of the Amazon bestseller The Conscious Communicator: The Fine...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with Jay Johnson, co-founder of Behavioral Elements and a two-time TEDx speaker. Jay is an expert in behavioral science with over 20 years of experience in empowering teams, growing profits, and elevating leadership. In this episode, Jay delves into the science of bias and the crucial role behavioral intelligence plays in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within organizations. He shares...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with Dr. Lee Cordell, the CEO and Founder of the Institute for Trauma and Psychological Safety. Dr. Lee is a certified clinical trauma professional with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, organizational leadership, and neuropsychology. As a neurodivergent multiracial woman and a trauma survivor, she brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to the challenges of creating psychologic...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the Founder and CEO of Labov Marketing, Communications, and Training, Barry Labov. Barry is a renowned entrepreneur and brand strategist with over four decades of experience in the marketing industry. As a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Barry shares his unique approach to discovering and celebrating brand differentiation. In this episode, Barry discusses the significance of ...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the Founder and President of deepSEE Consulting, Sara Taylor. Sara is a nationally recognized thought leader in cultural competence, with over 35 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As the author of "Thinking at the Speed of Bias," Sara shares her proven frameworks and tools for shifting unconscious filters to foster true equity in the workplace. In this episode, Sara d...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the Founder and principal EDI Practitioner of Intersectional Group, Zhou Fang. Zhou is a trailblazer in the EDI space, leading the Intersectional Group with a focus on integrating EDI into strategic planning rather than treating it as a standalone initiative. Her approach is rooted in intersectionality, a framework that recognizes the interconnectedness of various identities and experiences....

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the Gay Leadership Dude, Owner, and Principal of TopDog Learning Group, Dr. Steve Yacovelli. Steve emphasizes the importance of being consciously inclusive, which involves actively working to create a sense of belonging for all individuals within an organization. This approach goes beyond simply acknowledging diversity; it requires intentional actions to ensure that everyone feels valued and incl...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the CEO of The Johnson Leadership Group, Kevin Wayne Johnson. Kevin Wayne Johnson's journey began in Richmond, Virginia, where he grew up as the son of a US Marine and a federal government employee. His career path took him from the Richmond public schools to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he majored in business administration with a focus on finance and economics. After graduating, Kevi...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of cosyn, Joana Dos Santos and Eric Rodríguez. Joana and Eric emphasize the importance of co-creation in their approach to DEI and change management. Co-creation involves actively involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered and valued. This approach not only fosters a sense of ownership among participants...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the CEO of Potential Unleashed Consulting, Jahmad Canley. Jahmad's consulting firm, Potential Unleashed Consulting, is dedicated to helping organizations create inclusive cultures of belonging. The name "Potential Unleashed" reflects Jahmad's passion for enabling people and organizations to reach their full potential. This people-centric approach allows the firm to work with diverse organizations...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the CEO of Safe Haven Dialogues, Dr. Frank Douglas. Frank emphasized that the challenges in DEI work often stem from a reluctance to embrace demographic changes and a misunderstanding of the potential for growth and innovation through diversity. He highlights the need for organizations to understand and address the core principles of DEI to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. To achi...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the Assistant Dean for Library DEI Initiatives and Development (Full Librarian) at Chapman University and the Host of the TV Show “Salon Essraa: The TV Show Telling Inspiring Stories One Egyptian Expat at a Time, Essraa Nawar.

Essraa's journey is a testament to the power of embracing diversity and fostering inclusion. Originally from Egypt, Essraa's experiences in a homogeneous society and her su...

Your host, Juan Taveras, talks with the Diversity Trust Builder of Diversity in Action Global Movement, Drocella Mugorewera. Drocella's story is one of remarkable transformation. As a refugee from Rwanda, she faced the daunting challenge of fitting into a new culture. Yet, she turned these trials into an asset for companies, creating the Diversity in Action system. This system goes beyond meeting government guidelines; it uplifts o...