Putting in the Work

Another departure from B’s Blog this week so that your Chamber Team can highlight our DEI Collaborative and Kristie Lazenberry's work with the Chamber: 

Let me introduce myself, I am Kristie Lazenberry, the new Program Director for the DEI Collaborative at the St. Paul Area Chamber. As someone who has worked in the field of racial justice for many years, I’ve learned a great deal as a consultant, workshop content developer, facilitator, and Qualified Administrator for the IDI. My extensive experience with business leaders has made me well aware of the work that needs to be done in the world of business.

We have all been made aware of the dwindling workforce pool if we maintain status quo and only invite people to the table who look, talk, and act just like the traditional leaders of businesses. Our leaders must break out of the box and change their fundamental mindsets to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and then lead their respective organizations with that new vision. The studies have been done repeatedly and continue to show the array of positive benefits to any company’s bottom line by doing so.

​So as a CEO, CFO, COO, CHRO or anyone at the C-Suite level, how do you get there? You must do the work! This is not ‘fluff’ nor should it be the first thing to go when you get in a crunch; it is one of the most important things you can do, and it is not easy. Confronting your own biases, existing in discomfort is not generally what you seek out, but the growth extends to all areas of your life and frankly, will bring you some amazing experiences.

The St. Paul Area Chamber's DEI Collaborative program has been serving business leaders in the Twin Cities area for over 7 years and business leaders who have participated in it praise the approach. Each cohort of 10-15 leaders engage in confidential conversations guided by an experienced facilitator and in the process, deepen personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and leveraging that commitment to lead meaningful change.

The next cohort starts in September 2022. We would love to have you participate! To learn more about the DEI Collaborative, please click here. For questions and inquiries, please contact Kristie. 

B will be back next week with thoughts and a quick read on things you should know.

See you in the trenches,
 
Your Chamber Team