AI is already transforming the way we recruit, assess, and manage talent; and it is also shaping how we define leadership, innovation, and success. And if we’re honest, the systems we’re building often carry a dangerous blind spot: they’re designed through Western, Eurocentric frameworks that fail to reflect the lived experiences of the remaining 85% of the global population.

Lessons from the Middle: How Mid-Level Leaders Can Influence Without the Title

Some moments remind you why you do what you do. This one, standing on stage as the keynote speaker for Genesys Works Chicago’s 15th Anniversary Breaking Through Celebration, was one of those moments for me.

I stand on the shoulders of incredible people, Black women especially, who mentored me, sponsored me, and poured life into me throughout my career. Their guidance not only opened doors for me but taught me what it means to lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.

Because of them, my life’s goal has always been clear: to become the person (woman) I once needed. This International Women’s Month and really, every month, it is my greatest joy and calling to share what I’ve learned, both personal and professional, with other women walking their own leadership journeys.

As an advocate, executive, and strategist for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Culture and Social Impact, I want to help simplify the ongoing national conversation and help those who are truly serious about the topic digest it easier.

Let’s start with a few simple definitions.

One of the things that I appreciate about Chicago, and isn’t celebrated enough, is that we pull up for the conversations that matter and discuss strategies that impact our city’s growth and improvement.

This was evident at the Chicago United Diversity Officer Roundtable hosted at the Shine Bright Community Center on the South Side on May 17, 2024. I led a group of engaged and dedicated equity driven professionals in discussions on how to leverage collaborative action to advance equity, mitigate barriers to economic mobility, and foster inclusion no matter the challenges we face.

Technology is as good as you train, use, and leverage it to be.

And I am proud to lead teams that value the Tech for Good, and create meaningful initiatives like Discover’s ENRICH initiative.

ENRICH is a program with a mission to leverage technology in addressing social needs, championing tech based initiatives that provide access to STEM education and resources, and driving change through innovation. The idea for this program was generated from the Business Technology team, with a strong alignment with the enterprise Social Impact strategy that I lead, which seeks to address social determinants impacting financial health and wellness.

Imagine starting a job on January 1, working diligently 40 hours a week, and not getting paid a cent until July of that year. Or until October. Or November. This is the reality of the gender pay disparities across race and ethnicity, because women still make between $0.52 - $0.78 for every $1 a white non-Hispanic makes. (source: National Women’s Law Center, 2023 Wage Gap Fact Sheet)

A breakdown: Black women working full time, year-round are paid only 69 cents for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts. Latinas 57 cents; and Native American women paid only 59 cents. This further translates to a lifetime loss over a 40-year career of $884,800 for Black women, $1,218,000 for Latinas, $1,149,880 for Native women. (source: National Women’s Law Center, 2023 Wage Gap Fact Sheet)

“Thinking about the future is a luxury”

The Moji Akinde Social Change Award

The great philosopher, Damita Jo, once asked: “What have you done for me, lately?!”

Who starts a new job and clocks their 30 day anniversary on a major global multi-platform media red carpet?! THIS GYAL!

Thought of the day - #238