Welcome to this episode of the Intersection Podcast! Today, I’m privileged to host Suzanne Jakstavich, Human Resource Executive, Leadership Coach and proud mom. Suzanne has a deep commitment to developing people and culture strategies that empower talent, foster growth, and drive business success.

Suzanne's leadership journey was shaped by personal experiences, including growing up with disabled grandparents and observing her parents' work environments. Her people-centric approach emphasizes psychological safety, curiosity, and vulnerability as essential elements of leadership.

Welcome to this week's episode of the Intersection Podcast! We are honored to have Emily Voorde, Founder and CEO of INTO Strategies, a disabled-led firm dedicated to fostering inclusivity in moments, movements, and campaigns.

Emily’s journey from an AmeriCorps member to 2nd grade teacher and then serving as a liaison to Disabled Americans and K-12 educators in the Biden-Harris Administration is nothing short of inspiring. With a passion for justice and equitable access to education, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise on disability representation.

Welcome to this week's episode of the Intersection Podcast! We are honored to have Emily Voorde, Founder and CEO of INTO Strategies, a disabled-led firm dedicated to fostering inclusivity in moments, movements, and campaigns.

Emily’s journey from an AmeriCorps member to 2nd grade teacher and then serving as a liaison to Disabled Americans and K-12 educators in the Biden-Harris Administration is nothing short of inspiring. With a passion for justice and equitable access to education, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise on disability representation.

Hello, and welcome back to the Intersection Podcast. 

This is the third conversation in our series that celebrates and lifts up Black leaders. These conversations are near and dear to my heart.  After spending  years in Corporate America, often feeling unseen and unheard, I wanted to give voice to our unique experiences. This series provides resources, tools, and a community to let you know you’re not alone.

In this episode, "Owning Your Story - One Leader's Journey to Healing & Wholeness" with Nyerere Billups, we discuss how to empower and support Black employees. Nyerere is a senior pharmaceutical leader extensive experience developing innovative life cycle management  strategies from clinical development to commercialization and launch.

Hello, and welcome to this week's episode of the Intersection Podcast.

In this second installment of “A Love Letter to Black Leaders” we are delighted to have Shayna Hammond. Shayna is Founder & CEO of Lead For Liberation and IndigoWomen. Shayna centers spiritually-inspired and research based coaching methods to center Black leaders and entrepreneurs.

She is also an author with extensive expertise in leadership and life coaching, workplace culture redesign, business strategy, and education. Shayna recently founded Shayna Renee Media, where she delivers keynote speeches, co-curates liberatory events, and will soon launch a podcast (be sure to check it out).

This important series gives voice to our unique experiences as black leaders and provides resources, tools, and a community to let you know you’re not alone.

Hello, and welcome back to the Intersection Podcast. 

This is the first installment of three entitled  "It’s Not You - Navigating Leadership As A Black Woman." The conversations over the next few weeks are near and dear to my heart.  As a Black woman who spent 20+ years in Corporate America, often feeling unseen and unheard, I wanted to give voice to our unique experiences and provide resources, tools, and a community to let you know you’re not alone.

Over the course of the series, we'll explore what it’s like to work in environments that were not designed by us or for us. And before you turn away and say…"I'm not a black leader” I encourage you to listen as we can all learn and grow from each other. 

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Heather Lofton, LMFT, Founder of Dr. Lofton, LMFT Therapy & Consulting.  She holds a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialty in systems therapy. Dr. Heather also served as Core Faculty and Staff therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University's Master of Science Marriage and Family Therapy program.

Her specialty areas of treatment are professional women with depression, anxiety, and work-life balance concerns. Dr. Lofton's primary area of research and treatment specifically focuses on high-achieving black female professionals.

Welcome back! I hope your 2024 is off to a healthy and nurturing start.  

We’re kicking off this first episode of the season with a focus on money. Delving into what’s possible when organizations align financial objectives with their mission and values.

I’m thrilled to welcome Dana Britto, Founder & Principal of Cultivar Consulting.  Dana is a bold champion for greater equity within nonprofit management and philanthropy.  Her expertise as a Lender and Board Treasurer help organizations strengthen financial management systems which ultimately empowers leaders, teams, and the communities they serve. 

Join us as we explore the critical intersection of equity and financial practices, and how embedding equity into financial decision-making fosters a more inclusive and just workplace.

Welcome to a momentous occasion— celebrating the 100th episode of The Intersection Podcast! Your support, engagement, and commitment to not only this podcast, but fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces, has been instrumental in making this podcast what it is today. Thank you for being a part of this remarkable community we've created.

In this special episode, I  reflect on how far we've come, celebrate accomplishments, and renew my commitment to the podcast’s mission. But that's not all! We're gearing up for what's to come in 2024, and it's going to be an exciting year filled with inspiring conversations and fresh insights.

We don’t often equate creativity and imagination with DEI.  My guest is busting that myth and bringing a unique lens to the way we approach DEI.

We’re joined by Michaela Ayers, a multi-disciplinary artist and Art Historian who blends creativity into DEIA. Michaela is a seasoned facilitator who offers a human-centered approach to learning that promotes true and lasting behavior change.

A spirited storyteller, Michaela is also the creator of the Black Her Stories project, a platform celebrating the leadership and contributions of Black women throughout history and in modern times.

Today we’re joined by Dr. Mira Brancu to discuss the imperative of equitable workplace cultures to attract, retain, and advance underrepresented leaders. Dr. Brancu shares specific advice for women navigating careers, guidance for male allies, and insights on changing systems versus dismantling them. 

Dr. Mira Brancu is the Founder and CEO of Towerscope, an award-winning social impact consulting firm. She’s held leadership roles at the US Department of Veterans Affairs and a faculty appointment at Duke University. Mira is the author of "Millennials Guide to Workplace Politics" and is a contributor on women in leadership for Psychology Today

We explore the following topics in our conversation today:

• How to increase visibility and find opportunities in your organization

• The importance of Sponsors and Allies 

• A Values-First approach to attracting and retaining talent 

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Intersection Podcast! This week we are joined by Sonia Thompson. Sonia is a luminary in the realm of inclusive marketing and branding. As an inclusive brand coach, strategist, and consultant, Sonia has carved out a niche by helping brands expand their reach by authentically catering to a diverse clientele. 

Not only does she boast a formidable resume with columns in prestigious publications like Forbes, but she also leads the conversation on belonging in the business world through her podcast, the 'Inclusion and Marketing' podcast. With an expansive career, insightful viewpoints, and the unique experience of having lived in diverse locales like Argentina, Sonia offers a refreshing perspective on why businesses must prioritize inclusivity for success.

We explore the following topics in our conversation today:

• Sonia's strategies on how brands can grow by effectively connecting with a diverse customer base and the significance of varying consumer journeys.

• Unraveling the challenges of ageism in the digital space, the importance of diversity within teams, and how homogenous thinking can hinder a brand's potential for inclusivity and growth.

• Exploring the profound impact of feeling seen and acknowledged in the business world, especially for women and people of color.

Welcome to another episode of the Intersection Podcast!

In 2020 during the height of the Pandemic, I joined Clubhouse and found myself in a room called Shared Sisterhood co-facilitated by Dr. Tina Opie and Dr. Beth A. Livingston. The conversations in that room had a tremendous impact on me. They went on to coauthor Shared Sisterhood: How to Take Collective Action for Racial and Gender Equity at Work.

Dr. Tina Opie is an Associate Professor of Management and a prominent voice in the fields of research, teaching, consulting, and public speaking. Dr. Opie is the founder of Opie Consulting Group LLC, where she guides corporations towards transformative change.

Dr. Beth A. Livingston is the Ralph L. Sheets Associate Professor in Industrial Relations at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business. With a prolific career studying gender, stereotyping, discrimination, and work-family dynamics, Dr. Livingston's insights enrich our understanding of complex workplace issues.

We explore the following topics in our conversation today:

• Goals and metrics are crucial for DEIJ but reaching goals does not signify true equity. The work is perpetual.

• With the recent SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action, how can leaders and organizations best prepare for the eventual impact on the workplace?

• The Shared Sisterhood Powerful practice of Dig, Bridge, and Collective Action