Stop Watering the Leaves of DEI&B, Treat the Roots
Anthony will discuss the value of facilitation and focusing on root issues as the most impactful approach to influencing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) culture in organizations. He will discuss the need to define culture, determine if there is a culture problem, and uncover the roots of the problem before determining sustainable solutions. He will highlight importance of distinguishing between collective regard and representative regard, the actual words and feelings of stakeholders, the difference between root issues and symptoms, the six root issues that define DEI&B of every organization, why training has minimal impact on change without addressing root issues first, and much more. It will be a lively, interactive discussion.
Date + Time: Thursday @ 9:45a – 10:30a
Venue: Geonetric Building – Foundry
Breaking Barriers Podcast
Breaking Barriers is a dynamic podcast dedicated to exploring the vital themes of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) through candid conversations. In a landscape where DEI can often be reduced to a mere checkbox exercise or a means of division, we aim to go beyond superficial discussions. DEI&B isn’t merely a task to be completed; it’s a mindset and a commitment to authentic progress.
Join us as we engage unapologetically with guests to address the real issues obstructing the path to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Whether you’re a small business, a corporate giant, part of a community, or an individual, embracing DEI&B principles can profoundly impact your journey.
Our podcast isn’t your typical newscast; it’s vibrant and lively, reflecting our passion for real talk and genuine solutions. If you’re seeking authentic dialogue and actionable insights that inspire meaningful change, then Breaking Barriers is the podcast for you!
Date + Time: Friday @ 1:15p – 2:00p
Venue: The Olympic
Bio
Anthony is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)®, Certified Diversity-to-Belonging Facilitator (CDF), and Certified Culture Assessor (CCA). A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he received his BA in Communication Studies from The University of Iowa.
He has over 25 years of leadership, training, and consulting experience across multiple industries, including a decade of combined recruiting and DEI&B consulting experience. Throughout his career he has been an advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Anthony has worked with organizations to motivate a change in culture through crucial facilitated dialogue and the desire to listen to understand. He skillfully uses facilitation, consulting, coaching, assessments, and storytelling to help organizations transform their thinking, understand the value of DEI&B, and embrace their role as intentional drivers of this mindset throughout the fabric of their organization.
Anthony volunteers his time serving on multiple boards and committees in his community, especially those dedicated to advancing the opportunities and voice of underserved populations. As a founding member of Advocates for Social Justice in Cedar Rapids, Anthony was instrumental negotiating the establishment of the city’s first ever and only the second Citizen’s Review Board in Iowa in 2021, which is dedicated to law enforcement oversight and equity in policing. He is a sought-after presenter, and host of two podcasts: “Breaking Barriers DEI&B Podcast” and “Diversity Straight Up.” The Manpower branch under his leadership was the recipient of the 2016 Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Diversity and Inclusion Award, and he was named to the 2020 and 2022 Corridor Business Journal’s Most Influential Leaders list.