The Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve

Jennifer Brown
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Jul 12, 2024 • 1h 7min

Ep 325: Transforming Public Safety Through Inclusive Innovation with Axon VP Yemi Akisanya

In this episode, we talk with Yemi Akisanya, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Axon, a technology company serving law enforcement and public safety. Yemi discusses his journey from finance to DEI leadership and his innovative approach to implementing DEI strategies in a complex industry. He also explains how he aligns DEI initiatives with Axon's mission to protect life, accelerate justice, and capture truth. Yemi shares insights on his data-driven methods, moving beyond traditional DEI programs, and embedding inclusive leadership throughout the organization. Discover the challenges and opportunities of DEI in law enforcement technology, including product development informed by DEI principles and community feedback.
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Jul 5, 2024 • 56min

Best of The Will to Change: Leading with the "E": AJ Hikes and the ACLU's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategy

This episode features an interview with AJ Hikes, Deputy Executive Director for Strategy & Culture at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This discussion covers everything from healing the harm caused by racist bias within organizations, to integrating justice into diversity, equity & inclusion work, to the exclusionary nature of our modern legal system.
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Jun 21, 2024 • 1h 14min

E324: DEI in Action: Balancing Data, Heart, and Strategy with Consilio SVP and DEI Officer Maureen O'Neill

In this episode, Jennifer speaks with Maureen O'Neill. SVP and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Consilio, about her journey from litigation to leading DEI efforts in a rapidly growing global professional services company. Maureen shares insights on creating and scaling DEI initiatives, including employee resource groups and advisory boards, while navigating industry-specific challenges in the legal tech world. She discusses the importance of balancing quantitative metrics with qualitative aspects of inclusion, the critical skills needed for DEI leadership, and the long-term impact of fostering a culture of belonging. Join us for a candid conversation about the art and science of corporate DEI, and the continuous evolution required to make meaningful progress in this vital field.
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Jun 14, 2024 • 59min

E323: The Power of Intergenerational Connection with Award Winning Trans Elder, Sterling Cruz-Herr

In this episode of The Will to Change, Jennifer sits down with Sterling Cruz-Herr, a trans elder, educator, and activist. They discuss Sterling's journey of self-discovery, the importance of intergenerational learning within the LGBTQ+ community, and the challenges faced by marginalized groups in today's society. Sterling also shares their experiences teaching "Trans 101" to older generations, highlighting the hunger for knowledge and the desire to remain relevant among elders. The conversation also touches on the exclusion faced by trans individuals within the lesbian community and the need for greater inclusivity and understanding. Discover the power of empathy, the importance of allyship, and the transformative potential of embracing a "they" mindset – one that celebrates diversity, kindness, and unconditional love.
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Jun 7, 2024 • 41min

E322: Voices From the Will to Change: Pride Month Roll Up with Jennifer and Doug

In this special Pride Month roll-up episode of The Will to Change, Jennifer and Doug revisit powerful conversations with past guests who share insights on navigating DEI work in today's challenging climate. They discuss highlights from episodes featuring Lily on making DEI work "boring" to reach more people; Dr. Elijah on the importance of naming identities and allyship; Rhodes on knowing your audience when communicating about DEI; and Erik, Senior Vice President of Global Small Business at Dell Technologies, on how belonging at work can be life-changing for LGBTQ+ employees. Throughout the episode, Jennifer reflects on key lessons and offers advice for DEI practitioners and leaders committed to advancing inclusion in complex times.
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May 31, 2024 • 42min

E321: Behind the (Keynote) Curtain: Jennifer Shares Her Approach to Maximizing Learning and Impact as a Speaker

In this episode Jennifer shares her process for preparing and delivering keynotes that go beyond simply giving a speech. She discusses the importance of being consultative, collecting information, and calibrating with clients before, during, and after the event. Jennifer also reveals how she engages the audience through interactive polling, uses the data to provide valuable insights to clients, and tailors her message to meet the needs of laggards, learners, and leaders in the room. She reflects on the changing landscape of DEI speaking engagements and the need to adapt language and approaches to draw people into the conversation. Throughout the discussion, Jennifer emphasizes the significance of creating a meaningful experience that leaves a lasting impact on the audience. Join us for this conversation about the art and science of keynote speaking in the DEI space.
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May 24, 2024 • 47min

E320: Tailoring DEI Strategies for Maximum Impact with Evercore CDO Lucida Plummer

In this conversation, originally recorded as a Community Call, Jennifer welcomes Lucida Plummer, Managing Director and Chief Diversity Officer at Evercore, to discuss the challenges and strategies for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within organizations. Lucida shares her experience leading DEI efforts at various companies, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies to meet organizations where they are, navigating the landscape of DEI work, and celebrating wins along the journey. Together, they explore the need to rethink DEI approaches and confront personal biases as DEI leaders. Throughout the discussion, Lucida offers insights on tailoring DEI strategies for impact and finding purpose in the nature of this work.
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May 17, 2024 • 1h 8min

E319: Safety First: Author Mark McBride's Inclusive Vision for the Engineering Industry with Jenn Grace and Eduardo Placer

Mark McBride-Wright, author of "The Safe Leader" and Founder & CEO of EqualEngineers, joins Jennifer,  Jenn T. Grace of Publish Your Purpose, and Eduardo Placer of Fearless Communicators to discuss the critical importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the engineering and STEM fields. Mark shares his journey of writing the book, the support he received from Jennifer, Jenn and Eduardo along the way, and his mission to change the culture in engineering to one where everyone can feel safe to bring their whole authentic selves to work. The group explores how creating psychological safety is key to making progress on DEI goals and reducing the unacceptably high rates of suicide and mental health struggles prevalent in the engineering industry today. Mark's work provides a new vocabulary and framework for tackling these challenges and has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach DEI across all industries.
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May 10, 2024 • 53min

E318: Open to All: Transforming Retail Culture from the Inside Out with Calla Devlin

In this episode, we dive deep into the fight against discrimination in the retail industry with Calla Devlin, Managing Director of the transformative organization Open to All. Through Calla's insights and the inspiring work of Open to All, we explore the multidimensional challenges of bias and exclusion in retail and the innovative strategies being employed to drive systemic change. From groundbreaking partnerships with companies like Yelp to the creation of comprehensive resources and trainings, Open to All is at the forefront of a growing movement to reimagine retail as a space of true belonging for all. Join us as we examine the human and business costs of discrimination, the power of collaboration to break down barriers, and the unstoppable momentum of the inclusion revolution. 
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May 3, 2024 • 47min

E317: Cultivating Creativity in Community: Replenishing Our Leadership with Coach and Artist Alex Jamieson

In this episode, Jennifer is joined by coach and artist Alexandra Jamieson as they explore the challenges and opportunities facing women leaders in their 40s and 50s. Through the lenses of their own experiences and those of their clients, Jennifer and Alex delve into the impact of external factors, the importance of creativity and community, and the power of reconnecting with one's values in the face of adversity. Using rich metaphors from nature and art, they illuminate the messy yet rewarding process of cultivating resilience, authenticity, and mutual support in a world that often presents significant barriers to women's advancement and well-being. Discover the inner and outer work required to thrive and lead in uncertain times.

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