HERdacious

DEI & the Bottom Line

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Michelle Bogan about the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion on the bottom line. Increased employee retention, higher work productivity, creative problem-solving, and a 3% increase in company revenue are all only a handful of possibilities when we put diversity at the forefront. Trust us, Michelle has the data to back it up! As one of few women in her former workplace, Michelle shares her personal experiences and knowledge to help us envision how well-planned DEI initiatives can transform workplaces for the better and uplift all employees. From focusing on the whole picture when crafting a DEI plan to ensuring leadership is aligned, Michelle reinforces that DEI is not just a box for companies to mindlessly check off. It’s a tried and true solution that both advances opportunity for underrepresented groups and optimizes overall organizational functioning. 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Michelle Bogan

Michelle's mission is to help companies create equitable workplaces. She is the Founder and CEO of Equity At Work, helping leaders achieve major impact through their diversity, inclusion and equity work. She is also on the Investment Committee for the RevTech Equity For Women fund, investing in women-led startups in the retail technology space. Michelle lives in Dallas with her two kids and dog, and loves yoga and photography. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• A problem 2:21
• Some hurdles 4:30
• HR or Leadership? 6:17
• More than the eye can see 12:14
• The Benefits 15:48
• Missing the mark 20:24
• Courage 22:03
• Femme fact: Mary E. Jones Parrish 26:28

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Women in the Workplace (McKinsey study) 
• Catalyst (Women in workplace research hub) 
• National Women’s Law Center
• Anneliese's OpEd

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our webinar “The Power Dynamic of Inclusion | Christine Moses”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Allyship Without the Baggage 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Cristina Santos about the do’s and don'ts of allyship. With the uptick of social justice conversations emerging this past year, many of us find ourselves asking the important question: How can we be supportive allies? Cristina emphasizes that allyship is not as straightforward as we might believe it to be - it requires consent between the receiver and the giver, open conversations about those relationship expectations, and careful research of communities we'd like to support. But once we understand the multifaceted dynamics of allyship, we can then work on becoming more productive allies to our peers. From disclosing our preferred pronouns in communal spaces to checking our inherent privileges, Cristina shares her expertise on all things allyship so that we can better advocate for those receptive of our support. Let's leave the bags at the door, initiate those honest conversations, and actively learn about communities to make meaningful steps forward toward equality!

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Cristina Santos

Cristina Santos is Senior Vice President, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Capital Group, where she drives the asset management firm's DE&I strategy with an emphasis on a culture of belonging, leadership accountability, diverse teams of associates and impacting communities. She is also a facilitating faculty member for the Diversity & Inclusion certification program at Cornell University's Industrial Labor Relations School. A proud wife and mother of four children who always keep life fun and interesting, she was recognized in 2012 as a “Working Mother of the Year” by Working Mother Magazine. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Welcome to Allyship 101 1:30
• Problematic allyship 4:47
• Understanding relationship  roles 7:40
• But where do we begin 11:09
• Gender-specific advocacy 19:37
• Supporting POC friends 21:00
• LGBTQ+ education and resources 24:32
• Femme fact: PRIDE Month 28:46

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• The Ally Continuum by Jennifer Brown
• 5 Tips For Being An Ally by @chescaleigh
• Allyship and Curiosity by Sheila Brassel, PhD, Joy Ohm, PhD, Dnika J. Travis, PhD

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our podcast episode with Harold Hughes “Queen [or King] of Allyship”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: [email protected]

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Intergenerational Conflict

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Susan Combs about intergenerational conflict in the workplace. Intergenerational conflict involves social, cultural, or economic discrepancies between those of different generations; and oftentimes, we are not fully aware of how the issue affects our workplace dynamics. As an organizational leader who recently discovered the existence of intergenerational conflict in her own workplace, Susan recounts her learned experience of how we can best recognize and resolve intergenerational discord so that employees of all backgrounds and experiences can feel valued and respected. From bystander interventions to collecting and responding to data, Susan helps us realize that once we focus on overcoming the problems intergenerational conflict presents, positivity and an equal platform for being heard are sure to follow! So, let’s be receptive and open-minded to others’ ideas to ultimately begin bridging the gap between all generations. Besides, Rome wasn’t built in a day… or by a single generation for that matter. 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Susan Combs, JD

Susan Combs is a successful, experienced executive at both the state and federal level. In Texas she served in several elected positions: as the Comptroller/ Treasurer; the first woman Agriculture commissioner; and was also a state legislator. She most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Department of the Interior. She also served as the Chair of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission to celebrate the19th Amendment centennial in August of 2020. Susan is the Founder of HERdacity, launching the organization in 2015 as part of her long-running passion for promoting women to leadership roles and personal success. As a business owner, she operates a grazing and hunting operation on her ranch in the Big Bend of Texas.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Intergenerational conflict vs. Ageism 1:20
• Identifying workplace challenges 4:21
• There is no “I” in “Team” 9:02
• Started from the top, now we’re here 11:47
• Responding to the data 17:10
• Words matter 18:47
• Femme fact: Women of NASA 22:00

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• More In Common (website)
• HERdacity (nonprofit) 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our webinar “The Power Dynamics of Inclusion | Christine Moses”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: [email protected]

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Equity and Equality

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Dr. Kami Anderson about achieving equality through equity. With the wave of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies adopted by organizations within the past year, it can be easy to believe we’re advancing toward equal opportunities. Dr. Kami highlights that equality cannot be fully achieved until organizations and individuals make equity work an essential practice in business. From ensuring balanced representation of decision-makers to acknowledging and accommodating those with different experiences, Dr. Kami encourages us to challenge the mission statements we see with the work that's actually being done. It’s one thing to publish carefully crafted, eloquently written DEI statements, but fulfilling those promises is where the rubber meets the road. With information and intention, we can all contribute to the difficult yet rewarding process of bringing equity to our workplaces and beyond! 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Kami Anderson, PhD

Kami J. Anderson, PhD is an interculturalist, scholar and language advocate. Dr. Anderson has spent the past two decades immersed in languages and cultures and has been teaching in higher education since 2005. Her primary focus is family empowerment through language with an emphasis on application and confidence. Dr. Anderson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Spelman College, a Master’s degree in International Affairs/Interdisciplinary Studies in International Communication and Anthropology from American University and a PhD in Communication and Culture from Howard University.  

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Equity vs. Equality 2:00 
• The road for women 7:05
• Day-to-day action items 8:24
• Dear Men, Welcome to Womanhood 14:50
• Difference does not equal deficit 21:40
• Equality criterion 28:20
• Femme fact: All-American Girls Professional Baseball League 32:52 

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Patricia Hill Collins (scholar)
• Katie Geneva Cannon (scholar)
• Dr. Melva Sampson (scholar)

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog “Racism vs. Bias | Why We Need to Understand the Difference” by Frances Leigh Jordan 

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

What To Do When You Don’t Feel Qualified

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Julie Parsley about the never-ending list of job requirements and how we meet them. Imagine this: you’re applying to jobs and can check off all but one, two, maybe three of those qualifications. But those few are enough to cast doubt in your mind and one might dismiss the position entirely. However, as an out-of-the-box applicant herself, Julie helps us realize that striving for perfection can often hold us back from career opportunities that, beyond the boxes, we are absolutely qualified for. From understanding how our experience can translate to other positions, to using our learned skills in crafting a personal narrative, Julie helps us realize that we should not let the self-sabotaging qualification battle be a barrier to our career trajectory. Let’s encourage our professional growth by writing our own stories, where we save the day and get the job [done]! 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Julie Parsley, JD

Julie Parsley currently leads Pedernales Electric Cooperative as the Chief Executive Officer. In her role, Julie values member service and making a positive difference for the company’s top management positions. Julie’s work within the company earned her recognition from the Austin Business Journal as its 2019 Best CEO in the nonprofit category. Prior to working for Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Julie was a utility attorney in Austin, as well as the former commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• On socialization, again 2:45
• Do away with gender presumptions 5:39
• To want the job or to not want the job 7:10
• How qualified is qualified enough? 10:34
• Sucker-punching imposter syndrome 14:28
• Risk 20:42
• Building courage 22:25
• Femme fact: Women in Blues 27:00

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Option B by Sheryl Sandberg (book) 
• Skimm’d from the Couch (podcast) 
• The Six Morning Habits of High Performers (course) 
• HBR article 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog “Why Women Need to Define Their Own Success | HER Side” by Catherine Ashton

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Feminist Management & Leadership

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Cat Ashton about the value of feminism in the workplace. Four times more women than men dropped out of the labor force in 2020 due to COVID-19 challenges. Regardless of whether it’s because of pandemic-related causes or childcare duties, one thing is clear: the workplace is disproportionately unforgiving to women's experiences. As a feminist leader and entrepreneur, Cat teaches us that the gender inequities pervading the workplace today can only be challenged once we begin to understand and accommodate the candid lives of working women. From unlearning our own socialization to creating an empathetic culture, Cat helps us realize that underneath the job titles and day-to-day do’s, we are people first. So, let us go forth with a sense of confidence and unapologetically bring our authentic feminist selves into the workplace!

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Catherine Ashton

Catherine Ashton (she/her) is on a mission to change the way nonprofits raise money. As the founder of Giant Squid Group LLC, Catherine works with nonprofits to land donors, win grants, and fund their works.  She is a sought-after coach, speaker, and strategist locally and nationally, and specializes in helping organizations marry best practices and mission-aligned innovation to drive systems-level change.  She is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and equity in the nonprofit sector, and has been a raging feminist from a young age. In her “outside of work” time she's volunteering with the Austin Diaper Bank,  or chasing her energetic daughter, Rosalind down the nearest hiking trail.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Feminism 1:28
• When one domino falls, the others follow 8:00
• Bring your lunch AND your feminism 12:34
• Picture this: Your Authentic Self 16:49 
• Changing the culture 18:46
• Company-wide implementation 24:30
• Femme fact: The Olympic Games 29:10

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Ask a Manager (blog) 
• TrollXChromosomes (subreddit)

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog “I’m Not a ‘Mom Boss’ | HER Side” by Catherine Ashton

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity
Email: [email protected]

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Organizational Inclusion

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Rose Saenz about the importance of organizational inclusion at all levels of an organization. Unfortunately, it can be easy for workplace hierarchies to let employees feel overlooked. However, Rose urges us to realize that we are not just a number in the masses. With 20 years of management experience, Rose teaches us how to recognize the worth in our contributions while encouraging company leaders to remind their employees of their own value. From seeking out the frontline perspectives to aligning in our common goals, Rose guides us toward building an inclusive workplace culture that celebrates the impactful work we all do. Whether we’re executives, administrators, or frontline staff, never forget that we each have a role to play — all of which is equally worthy!  

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Rose Saenz

Rose M. Saenz's 20+ year career is centered around serving our seniors in various senior living roles from nursing care to operations to new developments. Rose is currently President and Operations Specialist for RevealSol, LLC, a consulting company and the Vice President of Workforce Development for Texas Assisted Living Association. Rose is passionate about educating and supporting community leaders in how care is approached, ensuring independence, autonomy and dignity of senior adults is of highest regard through day-to-day operational practices, programming and community design.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Hierarchy of Hinderance 3:25
• From old school to new school 6:12
• Execute inclusion 9:18
• Action steps for improved culture 14:20
• Creating a safe space 20:50
• Empowered employees empower employees 22:20
• Femme fact: Wilhelmina Cole Holladay 30:55

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek (book) 
• Smarp blog (employee advocacy)
• Fundamentally Different by David Friedman (book)
• Harvard Business Review article 
• Simon Sinek TED Talk

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog “Why it’s Important to Have an Inclusive Workplace and How to Get There”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

What To Know About Recruiters

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Liz Bronson about the job recruiting process, more specifically, those all-too-mystifying recruiters. As job applicants, we’ve all experienced the dank, dark hole that is the recruiting process … but what’s on the other end of that interaction? Enter Liz, whose insight as a recruiter reveals the methods to the madness. Though the world of recruiting might not be as dank and dark as we perceive, that doesn’t mean we should go forth unprepared. From applicant tracking system, to knowing which type of recruiters we’re interacting with, Liz gives us guidance to help optimize our success throughout the process. After all, it’s not just a matter of getting the job - it’s finding the right fit for us!

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Liz Bronson

Liz Bronson is the owner of Liz Bronson Consulting- an HR and recruiting company helping mostly tech start-up teams build their people practices, programs, and values to help them hire and retain their people. Liz is passionate about designing authentic, candidate-centric recruiting processes that match a company's culture, and does individual career and general management coaching and training. Before being independent, Liz worked for 9 years at VMware building their Product Management and Marketing teams and was also a part of the HR team at Barclays Global Investors. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• I’ll take recruiters for 500 1:35
• Gender-specific recruiting challenges 4:28
• The big four 6:50
• Trust your spidey sense 14:35
• Questions are a girl’s best friend 21:13
• Follow up fearlessly 24:21
• Know your recruiter 28:57
• Femme fact: Mental Health Awareness Month 33:50

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Real Job Talk (website) 
• The Muse (job search engine)
• Built In Austin (job search engine)
• Fairygodboss (job search engine)
• National Alliance on Mental Health (website) 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our webinar “Resiliency in the Job Search | Dawn Shaw” 

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Career Exploration

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Lynn Chang about exploring various career paths. During her tenure as a college career coach, Dr. Lynn guided students toward balanced and satisfying career choices. However, career exploration is not exclusive to the youth of pre-paid meal plans; it’s a common phenomenon to all working professionals. From exploring the multi-faceted career playground to prioritizing mind over matter, Dr. Lynn walks us through the process of determining our wants, our talents, and our curiosities which will ultimately aid us in discovering our careers of choice. So let's have a go at the playground of life; perhaps along the way we’ll learn where we can also make a difference! 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Lynn Chang, PhD

Dr. Lynn Chang is the founder of CAREER ZEN and author of The 10 Day Career Cleanse. With a doctorate in Counseling Psychology, Dr. Lynn infuses yoga and Buddhist spiritual principles into her career guidance. This East-meets-West approach allows her to teach people how to achieve meaningful work, purposeful living, and work/life balance. With a focus on calming the mind and listening to your heart, Dr Lynn believes you already have the answers you seek within you.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Career exploration 3:25
• Why should I change my career? 5:15
• What + where to start 6:52
• When in a pandemic-like Rome 10:14
• Nama-stay calm 11:58
• Into the wilderness of curiosity 17:17
• Telltale signs of success 21:44
• The career nebula 26:18
• Femme fact: Lily Parr 29:50

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Why some of don’t have one true calling by Emilie Wapnick (TED Talk)
• I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher (book)
• mynextmove.org (website)
• topworkplaces.com (website)
• The 16 Career Clusters (article)

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog “Starting Strong: How to Discover Your Passion in College” by Ananya Dwivedi

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Secrets to Breaking Glass Ceilings

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Lee Anne Crockett about navigating top corporate positions as a woman. Having encountered adversity when seeking promotions in a male-dominated industry, Lee learned the number of systemic barriers women face on their climb to the top of the professional pyramid. From her experience, Lee teaches us ways to outsmart the system, or more accurately put, to mastering the "game." From leaving emotions at the door to coming equip with a plan B, Lee points out that one of the ways to win is by knowing that there's a game to be played in the first place! And once we develop our game changing strategies, we’ll be able to checkmate. So, let’s claim the game, break some rules, boot the kings and check as Queens!

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Lee Anne Crockett

Lee Anne Crockett, MBA, is a Sales Director for a large manufacturing organization and the founder of Lee Crockett Consulting. She has been leading successful teams for over a decade, with a focus in sales & business development. Inspired to make a larger impact with women, Lee Anne combined her passions for leading, coaching, and professional development with her MBA in Entrepreneurship and launched her coaching practice. There, she serves as a Leadership Development & Career Strategist and works with women leaders to get promoted faster. Lee Anne’s mission is to help other women shatter the glass ceiling and create their own seat at the table. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Career hurdles 4:26
• Pay day! But make it unequal 7:20
• Chess includes Kings AND Queens 10:09
• Good Ol' Boys Club 15:45
• Leveling Up 19:53
• Pitfalls of the busy-bee 23:19
• Creating positive change 27:20
• Femme fact: Sexual Assault Awareness Month 29:45

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Payscale.com (website) 
• Equalpaytoday.org (website)

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray  

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog “The Continuous Struggle with the Gender Pay Gap”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.