49 episodes

On Centerforce's Journeys to Equity Podcast, hear diverse leaders from across Corporate America, discuss the factors that led to their success. The goal of the podcast is to offer the strategies and tools to accelerate impactful and long-lasting change.

Journeys to Equity CenterForce USA

    • Society & Culture
    • 1.0 • 1 Rating

On Centerforce's Journeys to Equity Podcast, hear diverse leaders from across Corporate America, discuss the factors that led to their success. The goal of the podcast is to offer the strategies and tools to accelerate impactful and long-lasting change.

    Tonya Mitchem Grindon on Breaking Bias and Seizing Opportunities

    Tonya Mitchem Grindon on Breaking Bias and Seizing Opportunities

    In this episode, we are joined by Tonya Mitchem Grindon, a trailblazing Partner at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, as she shares her remarkable journey to equity in the corporate world. From her humble beginnings in rural Alabama to assuming the helm of the business department, Tonya's narrative epitomizes ambition, resilience, and triumph over biases. Reflecting on her experiences, she explores the significance of seizing opportunities, cultivating networks, and embracing pride in achievements. Tonya also delves into the pivotal role of sponsors in advocating for diverse professionals, offering insights into initiatives at Baker Donaldson aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tune in to this engaging conversation for invaluable lessons on overcoming self-doubt, attaining work-life balance, and navigating the path to corporate success. 

    • 50 min
    Nancy Del Pizzo on Professional Fulfillment and the Power of Organizational Culture

    Nancy Del Pizzo on Professional Fulfillment and the Power of Organizational Culture

    In this episode, we shine a spotlight on Nancy Del Pizzo, Partner at Rivkin Radler LLP, as she shares her remarkable journey from the publishing industry to the legal profession, with a focus on intellectual property law. Nancy offers candid insights into her career transition, discussing the challenges she encountered in publishing, the appeal of intellectual property law, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path. Emphasizing the importance of organizational culture, Nancy advises listeners to prioritize environments where authenticity and personal growth are valued. Drawing from her own experiences, she reflects on the transformative power of embracing one's identity and its profound impact on professional fulfillment and success. From grappling with issues of inclusion to championing authenticity, Nancy’s narrative provides valuable lessons and inspiration for listeners embarking on their own professional journeys.

    • 46 min
    Jenna Gabay on Navigating Dual Realms: Litigation and Motherhood

    Jenna Gabay on Navigating Dual Realms: Litigation and Motherhood

    In this podcast episode, Jenna Gabay, a seasoned attorney and partner at Rivkin Radler LLP, unfolds her journey through the legal profession, placing a spotlight on her interplay between motherhood and career ambitions. Jenna provides nuanced insights into her distinctive legal practice, seamlessly navigating the realms of commercial litigation and trust and estates litigation. She also candidly recounts her early experiences, juggling family life while ascending the corporate ladder, and details her pivotal role in championing improved maternity leave policies within her firm. This conversation probes the nuances between mentorship and sponsorship, emphasizing the crucial role of workplace champions. Jenna's wisdom on legacy-building, overcoming challenges, and promoting diversity in the legal sphere renders this episode indispensable for those navigating the precarious landscape of professional advancement and work-life equilibrium. A trailblazer with unwavering resolve, Jenna reflects on her journey from her upbringing on Long Island to her intentional trajectory in law, offering honest insights into the impact of gender in the legal realm and the delicate equilibrium between professional aspirations and personal contentment.

    • 43 min
    Building Community & Providing Resources: TCDI's Impact on Military Spouses

    Building Community & Providing Resources: TCDI's Impact on Military Spouses

    In this episode Colleen Sweeney, Jennifer Andres, Janet Hamilton, and John Mielitz from TCDI discuss the unique challenges faced by military spouses that can make it difficult for them to pursue their personal and professional goals. Frequent moves, deployments, and the demands of military life can make it difficult to build a stable career or find a supportive community. TCDI is committed to providing resources and support to navigate through these challenges.
      
    We discuss personal experiences and insights on the difficulties that military families face, and the resources TCDI provides for them, such as career development programs and creating a supportive environment for military spouses.
      
     Tune in for perspectives on:
     The realities of military spouses and how they adapt and thrive to changeExploring the intersection of technology and lawHow TCDI stands out in the world of E-Discovery and litigation support

    • 52 min
    Eva Heintz On Building Grit

    Eva Heintz On Building Grit

    Building a Foundation for Success 
     
    This episode highlights the career journey of Eva Heintz, Chair of The Board of Directors at Solvay GGF. Eva initially trained as a chemist, and therefore, understands the advantage that comes with being exposed to science at a young age. This goes doubly so for women and traditionally underrepresented groups. As an Asian woman, Eva learned how to leverage that background in order to move her career forward. She is now in a position to offer invaluable advice to those coming up behind her. She believes it is imperative to get straight with what you aspire to and be forthright in pursuing your goals. "Ask for forgiveness and not for permission.” She is also a tireless advocate for diversity in the sciences, having formed ERGs and other programs within Solvay to give women a voice and a safe platform to express themselves.
     
    Tune in for perspectives on:  
    • Allowing for failure and embracing feedback in order to grow
    • The importance of being clear in your intentions when making an ask
    • Paying it forward in order to foster a climate of diversity, equity & inclusion in the workplace

    • 43 min
    Desiree Wolfe on Deliberateness, Diversity, and Representation

    Desiree Wolfe on Deliberateness, Diversity, and Representation

    We can all do something to become better.
    In this episode, Desiree Wolfe, Senior Director at Salesforce, highlights the importance of intentionality in our processes towards progress. She emphasizes that as leaders, peers, colleagues, and professionals, it is imperative that we all be transparent in recognizing the areas of our workspaces and mindsets that need to be transformed. She tells her audience that every opportunity is one to learn, develop, and advocate. As a woman of color and the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Desiree shares how her compounded experiences have brought to light the numerous barriers and hurdles that are presented to underrepresented groups. She brings attention to the importance of representation and points out the work that must be done to move past tokenism and step into reworking corporate structure to most efficiently utilize diversity leadership roles. She elaborates on the impact of lack of representation and inspires her audience to make deliberate decisions committed to enacting change. Join Desiree as she encourages her audience to invest in DEI and do the most compelling action that impacts their own compensation.
    Tune in for perspectives on:
    ●      The Power of Representation
    ●      Reconstructing the DEI Elements of a Business 
    ●      Investing in underrepresented groups
    ●      Intersectionality, Advocacy, and Sponsorship

    • 47 min

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