Loyola University > Baumhart Center > Education > Leading for DEI

Leading for DEI

LEADING FOR DEI is a first-of-its-kind cohort-based program offered by Loyola’s Institute for Racial Justice and the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. 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.

Connie Lindsey is one of many senior executives that visits with the DEI Leadership Institute.

Structured for Continuous Learning

Leading for DEI provides executives from companies and large nonprofits with the tools to develop enterprise-wide DEI strategies that are tailored to the company’s unique purpose and positioning.

Learning objectives

Business and Society

Understanding the systemic inequity we face as a society
Understanding the role of companies in advancing equity and inclusion

Leadership

Unconscious bias and inclusive leadership
Change management

Business Strategy

Developing a deeper understanding of DEI as a business imperative
Aligning DEI strategy with enterprise strategy
Building DEI strategies that actively involve stakeholders across functions
Supplier diversity
Developing diverse leadership pipelines
Building inclusive cultures and teams

Program structure

Leading for DEI will open with an immersive two-day retreat taking place October 14 and October 15. Following the opening retreat, the cohort will meet five times (in-person and online) from November 2021 to February 2022, with a celebratory dinner taking place in March 2022. 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 special executive gatherings at the Baumhart Center.

Throughout the Institute, cohort members are encouraged to invite up to three leaders within their companies to participate in select guest speaker visits and workshops.

Our Faculty and Coaches

	Monica Gupta Lead Facilitator Learn more about Monica
	William Towns Co-Facilitator Learn more about William
	Michelle Y. Bess Executive Coach Learn more about Michelle
	Nancy Harris Executive Coach Learn more about Nancy
	Heather Sattler Executive Coach Learn more about Heather

Guest Speakers

	Connie Lindsey EVP, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity & Inclusion Northern Trust
	Malik Henfield Founding Dean, Institute for Racial Justice Loyola University Chicago
	Mercedes Jenkins Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategist
	Myla Skinner Founder and Managing Partner Quarter Five
	Matt Johanson Senior VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Discover Financial Services
	Rich Johnson Founder of Ignite Principal at sr4 Partners
	Scott Hoesman CEO and Founder inQUEST
	Tom Alexander Co-Founder and CEO Holistic
	LaTonya Wilkins Founder The Change Coaches
	Vincent Williams President and CEO Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council

Join Leading for DEI

Applications for the 2021 cohort have closed.

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 cases where a candidate's participation ensures a more diverse, inclusive, and successful program for all participants.