Leading for DEI
Leading for DEI
The time to learn and lead is now.
LEADING FOR DEI is a first-of-its-kind cohort-based program offered by Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility and Loyola’s Institute for Racial Justice. The cohort experience equips executives with the values, knowledge, and tools to design and implement enterprise-wide DEI strategies.
Leading for DEI marries the Institute for Racial Justice’s research and deep understanding of systemic inequity, racism, and xenophobia with Baumhart's expertise in change management and higher-purpose business leadership. The program engages leaders to explore how DEI can enhance each business function—from human resources to supply chain to executive governance—and add social, financial, and societal value.
New Tools for Driving Impact
Leveraging Loyola’s leadership in DEI, governance, human resources, and responsible business, Leading for DEI offers:
- Immersive learning: Cohort members participate in an immersive two-day opening retreat followed by five facilitated cohort sessions that cover topics including understanding systemic inequity, the role of companies in advancing equity and inclusion for society, DEI as a business imperative, inclusive leadership, building inclusive cultures and teams, and change management.
- Individualized coaching: Cohort members work with a strategy coach to unpack their own understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how to harness their own leadership to advance DEI. Cohort members also work with their coach to develop and deepen a tailored approach to their company’s DEI strategy.
- Peer networking: Cohort members build community throughout the program, sharing best practices, strategic efforts and challenges, and additional resources.
- A nationally recognized certificate: Cohort members graduate with a certificate in DEI leadership from Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business.
Learning Objectives
Clarity Among Chaos
Facts vs. Fears - DEI is Not "Illegal"
What Your Market and Talent Still Demand - DEI is Here to Stay
From the Era of the "Business Case" to Next Era of "Full Integration" - DEI is Your Lifeline
Approaches For Impact and Belonging
Resistance
Influence versus Authority
Honesty + Transparency
DEI Embodied
Stress Testing for DEI Preparedness
Creating the Container: Vulnerability + Humility
Addressing + Repairing Harm: Communication, Collective Norms, and Cultivating a Culture of Healing and Repair
Staffing for Authentic and Effective DEI
Program Structure
Leading for DEI will open with an immersive two-day retreat taking place July 18 and 19. Following the opening retreat, the cohort will meet five times (in-person and online) from July 2024 to October 2024, with a celebratory dinner taking place in late 2024. Each learning session will have a specific learning objective and will be structured to promote a high level of open peer exchange and feature facilitated strategy workshops. Alongside cohort meetings, cohort members will participate in three individualized coaching sessions and will be invited to attend gatherings at the Baumhart Center.
Throughout the program, cohort members are encouraged to invite up to three leaders within their companies to participate in select guest speaker visits and workshops.
Eligibility
We are seeking the foremost leaders for inclusion to join Leading for DEI and to be our partners in moving the needle for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging our workplaces.
We seek professionals who:
- Have proven experience in engaging teams to solve complex problems
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of their company’s current diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and can clearly identify areas of opportunity to move the needle
- Have the power to engage internal stakeholders and executive leadership in cohort learning sessions
- Are passionate about and committed to moving the needle for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across sectors and industries
Cost
Leading for DEI costs $5,000 for the year. The cost includes:
- An immersive two-day opening retreat
- Five facilitated cohort sessions
- Three individualized coaching sessions
- All food and drink
- All materials
Note: The Baumhart Center may offer partial or full cost assistance in rare case
Timeline
2024 Session Dates:
Session 1: Thursday, July 18 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)
Session 2: Friday, July 19 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)
Session 3: Thursday, August 8 - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (virtually)
Session 4: Thursday, August 29 - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (virtually)
Session 5: Thursday, September 19 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)
Session 6: Thursday, October 10 - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (virtually)
Session 7: Thursday, October 31 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)
Questions?
For questions about Leading for DEI please email us at baumhartcenter@luc.edu
Lead Faculty
Carla Kupe
Chief Equity Officer, City of Chicago Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Guest Speaker
Michael Blackshear
Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer | Head of DEI, Ryan Specialty
Guest Speaker
Greg Christian
Founder and CEO, Beyond Green Sustainable Food Partners
Guest Speaker
Fetesha Downs
Community Engagement Specialist, College of American Pathologists
Guest Speaker
Malik Henfield, PhD
Professor, School of Education | Founding Dean, Institute for Racial Justice, Loyola University Chicago
Guest Speaker
Christian Martinez
Chief Administrator and Strategy Officer, The Resurrection Project
Guest Speaker
Marquis Miller
Vice President of DEI, Obama Foundation
Guest Speaker
Chipo Nyambuyam
Co-founder and Managing Partner, CZL P.C.
Guest Speaker
Laura Ortega Lamela
Executive Director of International Business Council, IL Chamber of Commerce
Guest Speaker
AJ Patton
Founder, 548 Capital
Guest Speaker
David Sanchez
Sr. Consultant - Organizational Performance Team, Wipfli
Guest Speaker
Jeanine Valrie Logan
Lead Steward and Founder, Chicago South Side Birth Center Initiative
LEADING FOR DEI is a first-of-its-kind cohort-based program offered by Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility and Loyola’s Institute for Racial Justice. The cohort experience equips executives with the values, knowledge, and tools to design and implement enterprise-wide DEI strategies.
Leading for DEI marries the Institute for Racial Justice’s research and deep understanding of systemic inequity, racism, and xenophobia with Baumhart's expertise in change management and higher-purpose business leadership. The program engages leaders to explore how DEI can enhance each business function—from human resources to supply chain to executive governance—and add social, financial, and societal value.
Join Leading for DEI
Applications for the 2025 cohort will be released in the spring/summer of 2025.
Meet participants from past cohorts:
New Tools for Driving Impact
Leveraging Loyola’s leadership in DEI, governance, human resources, and responsible business, Leading for DEI offers:
- Immersive learning: Cohort members participate in an immersive two-day opening retreat followed by five facilitated cohort sessions that cover topics including understanding systemic inequity, the role of companies in advancing equity and inclusion for society, DEI as a business imperative, inclusive leadership, building inclusive cultures and teams, and change management.
- Individualized coaching: Cohort members work with a strategy coach to unpack their own understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how to harness their own leadership to advance DEI. Cohort members also work with their coach to develop and deepen a tailored approach to their company’s DEI strategy.
- Peer networking: Cohort members build community throughout the program, sharing best practices, strategic efforts and challenges, and additional resources.
- A nationally recognized certificate: Cohort members graduate with a certificate in DEI leadership from Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business.