Join Jackie in this inspiring episode as she sits down with Deke Copenhaver, former mayor of Augusta and principal of Copenhaver Consulting, to explore his remarkable journey of leadership and impact. From a shy kid to the mayor, Deke shares his transformative experiences and discusses the power of open minds in driving positive change. Discover how Deke's courage and determination have enabled him to make a difference and learn valuable insights on moving beyond partisan politics, bridging divisions, and empowering voters. Tune in to gain inspiration and practical wisdom for building better leaders and creating a lasting impact on your community.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Donnebra McClendon, Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Ceridian. Discover how Donnebra's career growth and passion for leading and managing people have shaped her success at Ceridian. Gain valuable insights as she shares strategies for building an intentionally inclusive culture and navigating career transitions. Learn about the power of mentorship and sponsorship and how Ceridian's investment in DEI has transformed the company's culture. Explore the secrets of achieving equity, pay transparency, and fostering a genuine commitment to diversity in the workplace.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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Join Catarina Rivera, DEI consultant and founder of Blindish Latina, as she shares her personal journey navigating the world with Usher Syndrome, a progressive condition impacting her hearing and vision. As a TEDx speaker and advocate, Catarina sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and offers insights on breaking down disability stigmas. Discover her expertise in improving accessibility, fostering inclusion, and empowering companies to design better products and retain employees. Gain valuable knowledge on overcoming internalized ableism, embracing one's unique journey, and collectively creating a more accessible and inclusive world for all.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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Join Jackie in a thought-provoking conversation with Dara Sanderson, CEO of Dictionary.com, as they explore the power of words, strong teams, and flexibility in discovering your own path. With over 20 years of experience in technology, entertainment, and ad tech, Dara shares valuable insights on the importance of language, inclusion, and mentoring. Discover how intentional and inclusive language shapes relationships and messages, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives thrive. Gain valuable insights on building strong teams, nurturing talent, and driving success through diversity. Dara's personal experiences and journey will inspire you to take steps toward embracing new experiences and creating a more inclusive world. Don't miss out on this episode packed with wisdom and inspiration.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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Join Jackie in an enlightening conversation with Nina Simons, Co-founder and Chief Relationship Officer of Bioneers, as they explore the profound intersection of nature and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Discover how Nina's transformative experience in a biodiversity garden led her to establish Bioneers and become a renowned social entrepreneur, speaker, and author. Gain insights into the vital role of embracing diversity in both the natural world and human social systems, and learn how the resilience of diverse ecosystems can inspire inclusive and thriving communities. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a trailblazer who has dedicated her life to promoting nature-inspired innovations for a better future.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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In this episode, Jackie Ferguson interviews Kai Weidie, the first Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Dentsu Media US. They discuss Dentsu's four pillars for guiding DEI work and the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership. Kai emphasizes the value of micro-actions in creating change, inspiring leaders to commit to diverse talent growth, and the critical role of C-suite buy-in. Tune in for valuable insights on advancing DEI efforts in the workplace.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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In this episode, host Jackie Ferguson is joined by Laura Sanderson, the head of Russell Reynolds Associates operations in the UK, with over 20 years of experience recruiting executives for board positions in the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 private, as well as mutual and family-owned firms based in London. As an expert in executive search, Laura shares her insights on the importance of building diverse and inclusive boards and how they can shape companies' futures through critical appointments. She discusses the drawbacks of appointing people who are too similar and the benefits of diverse perspectives in decision-making. Laura also emphasizes the need for ongoing personal development in leadership and the role of independent director roles as a stepping stone in an executive career. 

Tune in to this episode to learn more about the best practices for building diverse and inclusive boards and how they can positively impact organizations in the long run.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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In this special 100th episode of Diversity Beyond the Checkbox, host Jackie Ferguson is on the other side of the questions! Joined by critically-acclaimed author and guest host, Dr. Bob Batchelor, they reflect on the podcast's journey, discuss the importance of storytelling, and share their hopes for the future. Get a glimpse into Jackie's personality and hear about her favorite things, greatest accomplishments, and what's next for the podcast. Plus, Jackie receives a surprise video message from her loved ones congratulating her on the podcast's success and recent honor as one of Inc. Magazine's 200 Female Founders who are changing the world.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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In this episode, Dr. Meisha-ann Martin, Senior Director of People Analytics and Research at Workhuman, and host Jackie Ferguson, both graduates from the University of South Florida, explore the negative impact of microaggressions on employee engagement, productivity, and innovation. Microaggressions result from unconscious biases and can create a toxic work environment for underrepresented groups. Dr. Martin discusses how creating an inclusive and equitable work environment is critical to ensuring employee happiness, boosting productivity, and increasing profitability.

As a leading provider of employee recognition software, Workhuman helps organizations measure the impact of their recognition programs and connect recognition efforts to other strategic HR imperatives and businesses' bottom lines. In addition, Dr. Martin provides valuable insights into how recognition programs foster a culture of inclusivity and equity, highlighting the importance of taking a proactive approach to understanding and addressing microaggressions in the workplace. By listening to this episode, leaders and managers can gain valuable strategies and insights to create a more positive, productive, and inclusive work environment for all employees, including those from historically marginalized communities.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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Join Jim Morris, a Senior Strategist, and Inclusionist, on his journey of discovering his social identity as a cis-hetero White man and how it informs his work in inclusion. Jim discusses transformative moments in his life, including a conversation with Bernice Johnson Reagon, a founder of the women's singing group "Sweet Honey in the Rock," and an early childhood experience of witnessing a cross burning on his grandfather's property.

This episode sheds light on the essential role of empathy and action in achieving a world that works for everyone through exploring the power of inclusion and recognizing our social identities. Jim, a leading expert in the field, shares insights on DEI work and the essential qualities of grace and patience required to succeed.

Whether you are an educator, parent, corporate leader, or DEI professional, tune in for practical guidance on approaching and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This episode offers valuable tips on making diversity and inclusion stick in your organizations and communities.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson and is a production of Earfluence.

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