About the Guest(s):

Alida Miranda-Wolff is the CEO and founder of Ethos, a consultancy firm specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) transformation. She is notable for her book, "Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations that Last," which explores strategies for fostering inclusive environments. Alida's background spans higher education at the University of Chicago, non-profit work in immigrant and refugee rights, and a pioneering role in venture capital as one of the first Latina directors. She has taught at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and General Assembly, cultivating a deep understanding of DEIB initiatives. Through Ethos, Alida aims to innovate and apply DEIB strategies that resonate with modern organizational dynamics.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas engages Alida Miranda-Wolff, the CEO of Ethos and author of "Cultures of Belonging," to delve into creating inclusive educational environments. With a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), Alida explains how organizations, particularly schools, can foster a culture of belonging for both students and teachers. Tim and Alida discuss how identity and personal experiences shape one's approach to DEIB work, drawing from Alida's diverse career background in higher education, nonprofit, and venture capital sectors.

Throughout the conversation, Alida emphasizes the importance of belonging as a core psychological need and describes her approach to building inclusive cultures, which hinges on the three R's—relationships, resources, and reciprocity. For schools, this means creating meaningful connections and ensuring educators are supported and fairly compensated. Alida also addresses the issue of value misalignment within educational institutions and how teachers can navigate these challenges. Practical strategies for fostering belonging among educators are discussed, encouraging teachers to build their micro-cultures and seek community support, even in misaligned systems.

Transcript: https://c80acee1-5663-46ff-a2d6-b4cf328e0b7f.usrfiles.com/ugd/c80ace_eba009b77530450591e2acbebed753c5.pdf

Key Takeaways:

• Building a culture of belonging requires deep, meaningful relationships, ample resources, and a reciprocal understanding between individuals and the organization.
• Alida Miranda-Wolff's journey from venture capital to DEIB consultancy highlights the need for inclusive practices across all organizational types, including schools.
• For educators, feeling valued and experiencing alignment with their school's mission is essential for sustaining their passion and effectiveness.
• Misalignment of values within educational institutions can drive educators away; however, finding community and shared values within small teams can create a buffer.
• Practical tools and strategies are available for educators to foster inclusion and belonging, even without overarching institutional support.

Resources:

• Alida Miranda-Wolff: https://alidamirandawolff.com/
• Ethos: https://www.ethostalent.com/
• Alida's books: "Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations that Last" and "The First Time Manager: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (available where books are sold)
• MCIE: https://mcie.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.