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It was never my desire to be an entrepreneur. My focus was to become a C-suite executive with all the money and all of the things. As I was climbing the corporate ladder, I realized it wasn’t really about talent — it was about politics.
After becoming an executive, it was less fulfilling than I thought. In fact, it was more stressful, and I didn’t find the work personally rewarding. I had no work/life balance and ended up burned out. In those dark moments, I had the idea to start my own company. So, after talking it over with my therapist and identifying effective coping mechanisms for the reality of not having that direct deposit hit my bank account every two weeks, I tendered my resignation.
As I started my business, I quickly learned that being a subject matter expert was only part of what was needed to succeed. I had no idea how to run a business on my own. This created a feeling of inadequacy and imposter syndrome that I had to work through while figuring out all of the administrative aspects of the business (i.e., strategy, accounting, business filings, visas, marketing, etc.).
I began networking with other entrepreneurs at various stages in their businesses. This helped me to understand what to expect as seasoned entrepreneurs would share lessons learned. And it also helped me develop a tribe of entrepreneurs at the start of their journey where we would work together to figure it out.
Over the years, I’ve realized that entrepreneurship is full of peaks and valleys. I’ve had to learn to be more flexible and comfortable in a constant state of learning. Your “to-do” list is never done, but finding new things to enhance your business is exciting!
Click here to read the full article.
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Founder and CEO of Ethintegrity LLC, a consulting firm empowering forward-thinking organizations and professionals to solve complex ethics and compliance and DEI problems.
My story: It is a basic human need to want to belong. I found that I consistently tried to assimilate into boxes that I thought would help my career. What became obvious was that these key performance indicators were ever-moving and I had to contort myself more than my non-Black colleagues by modulating my tone of voice so as not to be seen as an “angry Black woman” or pressing my hair and changing my style of dress so that I fit into the European standard of beauty. It was exhausting both mentally and physically. When I started my own company, I initially kept that way of thinking—trying to fit into the corporate ideal. But as I grew more confident in my business and started to realize the superpowers that I brought to this industry, I embraced my unique, diverse identity. This pivot has created a meaningful impact on my work as I’m able to disrupt spaces from a place of knowledge and power.
My advice: Take time to get to know who you are. Corporations and society like to tell us who we should be, and sometimes we conform for so long that we don’t know who we are anymore. Take a step back and figure out what makes you happy—when do you feel authentically you? Then embrace that as a superpower. Use your uniqueness to connect with, embrace, and disrupt spaces to create equitable and inclusive services and products.
Click here to read the full article.
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You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would love to create a movement focused on Empathic Curiosity. So often, we operate unknowingly from biases inherited via structural and interpersonal biases (i.e., media, families, schools, society, etc.) that we don’t challenge those inherited beliefs enough to see if they are positively or negatively affecting our communities as a whole. By engaging in actual dialogues (instead of 2 monologues where you are just talking at each other), you can take in critical points of view that may differ from your own. Being “empathically” curious means actively listening and creating a safe space for others to share differing points of view based on their lived experience. It doesn’t mean that you will agree with everything said, but it will allow you to expand your understanding of an issue with more data points. And by having more understanding of cultures, groups and ideas that are different from us, we can make greater progress as a whole by working together.
Click here to read the full article.
Thank you for joining me for Episode 9. In this supersized episode, my guest and I discuss how diversity, equity & inclusion impacts, empowers, and affects the world of film.
My guest today is the outstanding Jeanell English. In this episode, Jeanell talks with us about:
If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, share it with us on social media using the hashtag #ethintegritypodcast
Jeanell English bio:
Jeanell English is the Executive Vice President, Impact and Inclusion at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In this role, she leads the Academy’s initiatives designed to address underrepresentation across the industry and to discover, empower, and advance the work of emerging and diverse film artists. As part of this portfolio, Jeanell oversees the Academy’s talent development programs, known as Academy Gold.
Jeanell has made it her mission to learn and grow through global cultural immersion. She has lived, worked, and traveled the world, spending more than seven years in Europe and Asia. She is also the founder of Elizabeth, an independent publisher established to amplify the voices and stories of women and marginalized communities.
Website: www.oscars.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanell-english/
Instagram: @jeatothenell @theacademy
Thank you for joining me for Episode 8. In this supersized episode, my guest and I discuss how diversity, equity & inclusion infuses, affects, relates to the world of music. My guest today is the phenomenal Shani Gonzales.
In this episode, Shani talks with us about:
If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, share it with us on social media using the hashtag #ethintegritypodcast
Shani Gonzales’s bio.
Shani is the Managing Director of Warner Chappell UK & Head of International A&R. She got her start in the industry at BMI, a leading music rights management company. Shani then joined Warner Chappell’s A&R team in 2004, going on to work for Epic Records and Def Jam, before becoming Co-Head of A&R for the UK and U.S. at BMG. She returned to Warner Chappell in 2019 to take on the new role of Head of International, EVP of U.S., A&R, and was promoted to MD of the UK company in 2020.
A seasoned music executive, Shani has spent her career signing and developing many of today’s leading artists, songwriters, and producers, including Bibi Bourelly (Camilla Cabello, Rihanna, Selena Gomez) Claude Kelly (Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars), DJ Khaled, JUICEWORLD, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber & Labrinth.
Website: https://warnerchappell.com
Instagram: @Shani927 @warnerchappelluk
Thank you for joining me for Episode 7 where my guest and I discuss the world of ethics & compliance as well as diversity, equity & inclusion as it relates to the insurance industry.
My guest today is Michael Blackshear. In this episode, Michael talks with us about:
If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, share it with us on social media using the hashtag #ethintegritypodcast
Michael Blackshear’s bio.
Michael serves as senior vice president, chief compliance and privacy officer for Ryan Specialty with responsibilities for maintaining and growing an effective compliance and regulatory risk framework. He recently assumed additional responsibilities in leading a newly created Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion function with the strategic mission to promote DEI at the firm, along with building strong alliances within the insurance industry and communities in which Ryan Specialty colleagues live and work.
Website: https://ryanspecialty.com
LinkedIn: Michael Blackshear
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Ok. Here is the main question of our discussion. You are an influential business leader. Can you please share your “5 Steps We Must Take To Truly Create An Inclusive, Representative, and Equitable Society”? Kindly share a story or example for each.
I found it interesting how the British media would constantly compare Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, with one being “perfectly imperfect” and the other being “too perfectly Hollywood.” By addressing our own biases and stereotypes that we have been raised on and inadvertently perpetuated, we can create a more inclusive standard of beauty, acceptance, and belonging.
3. Ask Your Community for Feedback. You aren’t going to know all of the answers. That is why it’s critical to survey your society (be it your workforce or the community in which you live). Ensure you include all demographics and look for trends and outliers. Where are people feeling included? Do more of that. Where are people feeling invisible or excluded? Figure out how to create a solution-based plan with their input to address it. One example is how certain touchless faucets & dryers don’t recognize darker pigmentation so it’s harder for people of color to get the sinks and hand dryers to turn on. This is where the artificial intelligence used in the products needs to be updated in a more inclusive way.
4. Be Innovative & Inclusive. There are so many creative ways to communicate, and due to the diverse nature of our society, we need various methods to communicate across all demographics. Tap into various communities to garner great ideas on how to ensure your messaging resonates with that particular demographic (i.e., those that are neurodivergent). Do you have messaging for those that are hearing or visually impaired? What about those who can’t read or don’t know the local language? Being innovative and inclusive also sparks conversation at a soul level where the discussion becomes more authentic and open.
5. Hold Space. Sitting in silence and listening to someone else is the greatest gift you can give. People want to know they are heard. And by holding space for others to share their stories with us, it expands our understanding, compassion, and knowledge so that we can act in a more informed manner in the future.
To read the full article, click here.
Thank you for joining me for Episode 6 where I continue my conversation with my guest from episode 5 where we discuss how to use inclusive design to create a more equitable and inclusive society.
Inclusive design is an approach/mindset/practice that ensures everyone, regardless of their identity or background, can fully access and benefit from the products, services, or environments that are built.
In this episode, Sandra talks with us about:
If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, share it with us on social media using the hashtag #ethintegritypodcast
Sandra Camacho bio:
Sandra Camacho (She/Her) is a multicultural Inclusive Design strategist, educator, and advisor based in Paris, France. She’s also the founder and lead of the Inclusive Design Jam, a global learning community committed to making the use and access of products, services, and environments equal to all. She started her career at Google, where she spent 8 years working in product, innovation, and learning & development in the U.S. and Europe. She left in 2018 to pursue her dreams of designing for social impact under the alias Sandra By Design. Today, she helps product and design teams around the world build thriving work cultures and socially impactful solutions with the power of inclusive design.
Websites: Sandra by Design and Inclusive Design Jam
Instagram: @Sandra.bydesign
Twitter: @sandrabydesign
LinkedIn: Sandra Camacho
YouTube: Sandra by Design Channel
Thank you for joining me for Episode 5 where my guest and I discuss our expat experience as two Americans living in Paris as well as how DEI is perceived and practiced in France.
In this episode, Sandra talks with us about:
This is part 1 of a 2-part series. During our conversation, Sandra graciously shares her lived experience in a very open and transparent manner and provides insight into the world of DEI outside of the US but through a US lens.
If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, share it with us on social media using the hashtag #ethintegritypodcast.
Sandra Camacho bio:
Sandra Camacho (She/Her) is a multicultural Inclusive Design strategist, educator, and advisor based in Paris, France. She’s also the founder and lead of the Inclusive Design Jam, a global learning community committed to making the use and access of products, services, and environments equal to all. She started her career at Google, where she spent 8 years working in product, innovation, and learning & development in the U.S. and Europe. She left in 2018 to pursue her dreams of designing for social impact under the alias Sandra By Design. Today, she helps product and design teams around the world build thriving work cultures and socially impactful solutions with the power of inclusive design.
Websites: Sandra by Design and Inclusive Design Jam
Instagram: @Sandra.bydesign
Twitter: @sandrabydesign
LinkedIn: Sandra Camacho
YouTube: Sandra by Design Channel
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