Creating Psychologically Safe Workplaces For LGBTQIA+ Folks Leading With Empathy & Allyship

In Episode 89, Melinda is joined by an incredible panel of executive coaches and DEI practitioners: Rajkumari Neogy, Valentina Jaramillo, and David Ciocca. Throughout the live recording, they discuss how allies and ERG leaders can be the key drivers for creating psychologically safe workplaces for the LGBTQIA+ community. They explore the science and epigenetics behind psychological safety and how it leads to healing our transgenerational trauma. They also share how allies can demonstrate concern and support for LGBTQIA+ folks in remote and hybrid workplaces and ways to cultivate psychological safety through an intersectional lens.

About Rajkumari Neogy (He or She)

Rajkumari has worked with organizations worldwide. In 2013, S/He founded iRestart, which provides expertise in the areas of leadership development and organizational epigenetics. S/He is the creator of the iRestart coaching framework, the Disruptive Diversity Boot Camp, and the author of The WIT Factor: Shifting the Workplace Paradigm by Becoming Your Optimal Self. He/She believes that the qualities of passionate self-reflection and dedicated curiosity define true leadership.

About Valentina Jaramillo (they/them)

Curiosity has fueled Valentina's life, from becoming a key opinion leader for healthcare and social media in Latin America to working with a pharmaceutical company in the U.S.  Valentina's interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is infused in all their work. They have served as co-chair of LGBTQIA+ ERGs and been a member of DEI councils. Their experience as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workplace champion shape Valentina's language to be non-gendered, inclusive, and empowering.

About David Ciocca (he/him)

David Ciocca is a Learning & Development Partner on Blend’s Global Impact, Equity, and Belonging team. David has over 20 years of experience in employee engagement, learning and development, DEI, leadership development, and mentoring program management. In his current role, David leads the overall design and implementation of DEI learning and development opportunities to enhance the employee experience of belonging and inclusion at Blend. In his spare time, he enjoys live music, theater, travel, film, and teaching Zumba.


For more about Empovia, and to find educational resources, visit https://ally.cc.


Connect With Rajkumari: linkedin.com/in/rneogy

Connect With Valentina: linkedin.com/in/valentinajaramillo

Connect With David: linkedin.com/in/davidpciocca

Connect With Us

YouTube: youtube.com/@empovia
Twitter: twitter.com/empoviaco
Facebook: facebook.com/empovia
Instagram: instagram.com/empovia/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/empovia/


Production Team

Creator & Host: Melinda Briana Epler
Co-Producers: Renzo Santos & Christina Swindlehurst Chan
Creative Director @ Podcast Rocket: Rob Scheerbarth


[Image description: Leading With Empathy & Allyship promo and photos of Valentina, a LatinX, gender non-conforming person; David, a White cis man; Rajkumari, a French-Canadian/ East Indian nonbinary pe
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