Uplifting Impact

Raj Verma has over 25 years of global HR transformation and change leadership experience and currently is responsible for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Culture and Employee Experience at Sanofi. Raj is determined to make an impact in the workplace where all Sanofians feel included, engaged and proud to belong. Ultimately, Raj wants them to enjoy a seamless, positive and purposeful experience no matter where they are in the world and to feel equally connected to the communities in which they live and serve.

In this episode, Justin and Raj discuss what it means to have global DEI strategies organization-wide, and what the implementation looks like on within different regions. Raj talks about some of the most important lessons he has learned about HR and DEI over his career, and the importance of humility in building teams, having difficult conversations, and it’s role in decision-making. Raj shares that the work of DEI is really just beginning, and he is excited to see where it goes. To connect with Raj, find him on LinkedIn at: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rajver123

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Nicole Mitchell serves as Cedar-Sinai’s inaugural Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer where she is responsible for providing strategic leadership, developing and driving the implementation of programs and initiatives that promote a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging. For over ten years Ms. Mitchell has been creating and driving culture change in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. She has developed multifaceted strategies for diversity and inclusion encompassing human resources, employee engagement, philanthropy, communications, and supplier diversity and has led executive-level diversity and inclusion committee activities.  

In this episode, Deanna and Nicole discuss the importance of creating spaces where rest is prioritized, particularly after events that take place in our society -- and not only creating space for others but prioritizing rest for ourselves as well. Nicole shares how the team at Cedars-Sinai was impacted by the pandemic and social unrest as a result of the murder of George Floyd, and how they have pivoted since 2020. She details how they have moved forward to begin addressing important issues, and how that has resulted in a three-year strategy for DEI. To connect with Nicole, you can find her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolembellmitchell 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolembellmitchell 

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Dr. Christopher Cross is a biomedical engineer, anatomist, neuroscientist, population geneticist, cancer biologist, LGBTQ+ advocate, and entrepreneur. He leads Cross River Strategies, a US-based boutique consulting firm that uses community engagement and scientific research to power health equity strategies and services across biotech, pharma, and academic institutions. He served as a congressional science fellow on Capitol Hill during the 113th Congress, and a principal investigator for the Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity within Yale Cancer Center.

In this episode, Justin talks with Dr. Cross about what it means to do the work of health equity where it overlaps with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it is different. Dr. Cross makes the argument that while health equity officers may not be critical to all organizations, it’s important to investigate the importance of this work and this role so that DEI officers can include this work in the strategies they implement for employees, patients, and end-users. Justin and Dr. Cross also look at the difference between what it means to be performative versus creating transformational change. To learn more about Cross River Strategies, you can find them at: https://www.crossriverstrategies.com/

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Carla Fulmore is a Marketing Program Manager focused on Enterprise and K-12 Education business to business customers at Office Depot. She began her career at Office Depot in 2007 and has worked in multiple functions of the business including Digital Merchandising and Direct Consumer Marketing. She has served in many leadership opportunities and is currently the leader of the Office Depot Women of Color Associate Resource Group.

In this episode, Deanna and Carla dive into what it looks like when an organization combine their core values with their marketing efforts. Carla and Deanna discuss just how important it is for customers to be able to see themselves within an organization’s marketing, and ways in which an organization can ensure that there are diverse voices at the table. Carla also shares the role that employee resource groups have played in her professional development, and how organizations can use these as a place to encourage allyship. To connect with Carla, you can find her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fulmore

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fulmore

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Happy Valentine’s Day from the team at Uplifting Impact! Justin and Deanna are changing things up a little in this episode, and instead of bringing on a guest, they are sitting down to talk about love. They give a little insight into their relationship and how they make it work, discuss the intersection of love and DEI, and share the role love plays in the workplace. Justin shares a few book recommendations on the topic of love, Deanna brings up DEI from a motivation of love over fear, and they detail strategies for implementing love with team members and employees in order to continue to humanize those around us and to keep working towards a common goal.

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Trisch Smith is the Global Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion officer of Edelman, the world’s leading global communications marketing agency. In her role, she oversees all diversity equity and inclusion, strategic planning, education, cultural development, external partnerships, and recruitment efforts to ensure Edelman's workforce reflects the increasingly diverse marketplace. She has been featured as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America” and one of the “Most Influential Women in Corporate America” by Savoy Magazine.

In their conversation, Justin and Trisch discuss how her family and her faith have laid the foundation that she brings to the work she does in the workplace and in her community. She shares that one of her core values revolves around inclusion and belonging, which is key to doing the work of DEI. Justin and Trisch take a look at how to start the work of DEI, and how to create accountability strategies that inspire teams and individuals within an organization. To connect with Trischa, find her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trisch-smith-9948777

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Ashley M. Hines is an advocate, strategist, and entrepreneur dedicated to equipping communities to advance equity and create spaces where everyone is safe, valued and respected. She currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Advocate Aurora Healthcare, a top 12 U.S. not-for-profit health system. In her role, Ashley focuses on partnering with leaders as a strategic advisor to achieve system-wide goals and launching, scaling, and sustaining DE&I programs and initiatives. Ashley also dedicates her time to causes with emphasis on communities of color, youth, and health equity. She envisions a community where everyone is empowered and has the tools needed to fulfill their purpose.

In this episode, Ashley and Deanna talk about just how crucial it is for organizations to understand the why behind diversity, equity, and inclusion work and the importance of embedding this work organization-wide rather than limiting the work to one person or one department. Ashley is passionate about feedback and looking at the gap between intent versus impact, and how organizations can close that gap. As a recent attendee of Uplifting Impact's How to Be an Ally Summit, Ashley also shares a debrief about the event and the impact it had on her and her team as well. To connect with Ashley, you can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-hines-7810a67b

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• Advocate Aurora Health: https://www.advocateaurorahealth.org/

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Ashton Henderson works as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Detroit Pistons, the tenth organization in the association to add this important role. He is a native of Tallahassee, Florida, but he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from Michigan State University in 2010. He was a four year letterman, playing cornerback for the Michigan State football team, and while he was a graduate assistant at Michigan State University he developed and administered a freshmen mentoring program for football players called "Keeping It Real Mondays" which still exists today.

Ashton shares that from the time he joined the NBA in this role, at least 15 other organizations have added DEI positions within the association and that the larger association is really focusing in on this area of DEI. Ashton talks about some of the plans he had when he joined the Pistons, and some initiatives that he has created in this role since. He details the importance it had for him to conduct a listening tour when he took on this role, and how we can all do better in the spaces we are in on order to make them more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. To connect with Ashton, find him on Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn through the links below.

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Dr. Decoteau Irby is an associate professor of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His research examines the relationship between equity-focused school leadership and the quality of Black youth academic achievement and overall well-being. He is the author of Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership, which analyzes the complex process of racial equity reform within K12 schools. Dr. Irby's research is applied through his work with Derute Consulting Cooperative, where he helps leaders and teams create anti-racist organizational learning and improvement.

In this conversation, Justin and Dr. Irby discuss the universal language and understanding of music and family, and how these really help build a sense of humility. With a gained sense of humility and understanding that we are all smaller parts of a greater story, we each gain regard for others, which produces harmony that is key to DEI work. Decoteau shares that equity is truly at the focus for what he does, and how it then overflows into diversity and inclusion. Finally, Dr. Irby details the upcoming book that he co-edited with Charity Anderson and Charles Payne, Dignity-affirming Education: Cultivating the Sombodiness of Students and Educators.

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Kisha Brown is an established civil rights attorney and the Founder and CEO of Justis Connection, an organization committed to empowering the community about their rights and responsibilities and deliver personalized lawyer referrals. Justis Connection is the nation’s only Black lawyer referral and legal resource platform, and is particularly dedicated to assisting individuals and businesses of all sizes with culturally competent legal counsel.

Deanna and Kisha address the importance of considering how our justice system is experienced by marginalized populations. They also discuss the relationship that exists between the lack of Black lawyers in the industry and it’s impact on personal networks, and how it plays a role in the legal counsel people of color have access to and their level of understanding. In addition to meeting the needs of individuals seeking legal counsel, Kisha also explains the importance for enterprise organizations to work with lawyers of a diverse background in order to build the most holistic legal strategy possible. To connect with Kisha, email her at: [email protected]

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