Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox

In this episode of Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox , Jackie Ferguson talks with Debra Boggs—career strategist, Forbes honoree, and founder of D&S Executive Career Management. Debra shares how she went from working in higher ed to leading a fast-growing company that helps C-suite leaders land their next big role. She opens up about mindset shifts, personal branding, and why networking isn’t opti...

Each June, during Pride Month, we take extra time to uplift and celebrate the voices of LGBTQ+ leaders—and this week, we’re doing just that with a special highlight episode. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of speaking with some truly incredible LGBTQ+ changemakers—people who are breaking barriers, driving inclusion, and shaping workplaces where everyone can thrive. From tech to education, coach...

Join us for a riveting episode as Jackie engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Anselm Beach, a distinguished leader with a captivating life journey from a Caribbean island to the United States Army and a White House fellowship. Anselm unveils his unconventional career path, influenced by his upbringing, and shares the invaluable experiences that shaped his pursuit of leadership excellen...

In this episode of Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox , Greg Morley, global HR and inclusion leader and author of Bond: Belonging and the Keys to Inclusion and Connection , shares how belonging isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a leadership imperative. Greg’s career journey from warehouse worker to executive at companies like Disney and LVMH has given him a rare, grounded perspective on what it trul...

What does it really take to lead people well who don’t look like you, think like you, or come from your background? In this powerful episode of Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox , Jackie Ferguson sits down with Stephanie Chung—a bold, barrier-breaking executive who rose from baggage handler to become the first African American president of a private aviation company. Her story isn’t just inspiring—it...

" We hide and we think it's keeping us safe, but it's actually keeping us small. It's keeping us hidden in the shadows" -Ruth Rathblott What are you hiding? And how is it holding you back? Ruth Rathblott returns to Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox to explore the concept of unhiding —the act of shedding the fears and societal pressures that make us conceal aspects of ourselves.  Ruth shares her journ...

Marketing isn’t just about selling—it shapes what we see, how we think, and the choices we make. From the products on store shelves to the ads that fill our feeds, businesses play a major role in influencing our decisions. But are they really getting it right? Dr. Sonya Grier, a marketing expert and professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business, has spent over 30 years studying the c...

Dating Apps Have Changed Everything—But Are They Really Safe? Online dating has opened up new ways to connect, but it also comes with risks—scammers, harassment, and even gender-based violence. What’s being done to make dating apps safer? Meet Kenya Fairley, Planning and Partnerships Associate Director of Trust and Safety at Bumble, who has spent more than 20 years working in survivor-centered adv...

DEI efforts are at a crossroads, and Lily Zheng is here to explain what’s broken—and more importantly, what it will take to create real, measurable change in workplaces. Lily is an unapologetically bold DEI strategist, consultant, and best-selling author whose work has been featured in Harvard Business Review , New York Times , and NPR. Their groundbreaking books— DEI Deconstructed , Reconstructin...

This week, we’re joined by Lisa Cordileone and Shaan Dasani, the visionary executive producers behind Crazy as a Loon , a film inspired by a dark and often-overlooked chapter of American history: The Lavender Scare. In 1953, during this unsettling period, LGBTQ+ government employees were targeted and persecuted, deemed security risks to the country due to the belief that their identities made them...

As we approach the launch of Season 11, we're taking a moment to reflect on the incredible guests from Season 10. We are proud of the conversations we’ve shared, the insights we’ve gained, and the diverse voices we’ve elevated. Season 10 has been a testament to the transformative power of dialogue, personal empowerment, and connectedness.  Today you'll hear from: Tony Martignetti, MBA, PCC - https...

Jackie Ferguson, Inc. Female Founders 200 award winner, and host of the globally acclaimed podcast, Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox is joined by Joe Davis, Managing Director and Senior Partner of Boston Consulting Group and Sunaina Sinha Haldea, Global Head of Private Capital Advisory at Raymond James. Named in the Top 100 Management Podcasts in the world, this special episode will be livestreamed...

Amber Cabral is an entrepreneur, podcaster, TEDx speaker and a best-selling author. In this episode, Amber discusses her decision to step out into entrepreneurship after six years at Walmart, her inspiration for creating her podcast, "Guilty Privilege," and her motivation to write the conversation-sparking book, "Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture." She shares the se...

Coco Brown is a four-time founder, board member and authority on modern leadership. As founder and CEO of Athena Alliance, Coco seeks to empower women professionals with the tools, strategies and network to grow, thrive and lead. She shares her perspective on technology roadmap, fundraising, sponsorship and embracing the gifts that come with age and experience.  "Diversity Beyond the Checkbox" is...

Alison Taylor, a clinical associate professor at NYU Stern School of Business, Executive Director of Ethical Systems and author, shares her insights on the evolving role of ethics and integrity in the corporate world. Alison's background in corporate investigations, leadership, and sustainability provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today. This episod...

In this episode, Jamie Love, CEO of Monumental, shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in the Middle East to becoming an LGBTQ+ activist and entrepreneur. At just 21, Jamie founded Monumental, a diversity marketing agency committed to helping organizations find their authentic voice with an evolving consumer base. He discusses the agency's incredible growth trajectory, partnering with ma...

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Dr. Doris Bullock, Interim Chief Program Officer of Arise Collective. Dr. Bullock shares her personal experience of incarceration and the profound inequities she observed and experienced within the justice system. After serving ten and a half years of a life sentence (with the possiblilty of parole in 20 years) for a crime she did not commit,...

Lindsay LaBennett's career journey is a reflection of her strong family influences and unwavering dedication to hard work and respect. Inspired by her mother's engineering background and her grandmother's farm upbringing, Lindsay developed a robust work ethic and a deep understanding of herself. Lindsay's interest in sports and entertainment grew through internships and her time as an Account Exec...

Joe Davis, a senior partner at Boston Consulting Group, specializes in guiding employees and organizations through turbulent times. His approach, known as 'Generous Leadership,’ emphasizes the power of giving and empowerment to raise morale and generate results. With over 40 years of experience and a global platform that includes his book, ‘The Generous Leader,’ as well as a TEDx talk, Joe's strat...

Raquel Willis, an award-winning author, activist, and media strategist, shares her journey from growing up in a traditional Southern family to becoming a leading voice in the gender liberation movement. Willis candidly discusses her personal experiences with coming out, losing her father, and finding her authentic self, which led her to a career in journalism and activism. She emphasizes the impor...

“You are Absolutely Worth It.” This isn’t just the title of guest Velera Wilson’s book; it is what she firmly believes. An award winning, Industry-Recognized expert, Global Speaker, Author, and Consultant, Velera combines proven and tested business methods with a heavy focus on how to remove self-doubt and replace it with self-confidence. In this episode, Velera reminds us that we are enough and h...

Elaine Lin Hering helps leaders create environments that support rather than silence people. As a globally recognized expert in communication, collaboration, and conflict management and best-selling author, Elaine shares how she overcame a family dynamic that did not promote open discussion and learned to navigate difficult conversations. This episode is sure to inspire you while giving you the to...

Tony Martignetti was sitting in the boardroom when he realized he just couldn't do it anymore. After over 30 years in the corporate world, he stood up and announced his resignation right there, and he hasn't looked back. Today, Tony's a leadership advisor, best-selling author, podcast host and speaker, and he's answering his calling to change how leaders show up and connect with others. Tune in to...

Fiona Lloyd, the global brand president of Carat and Executive Sponsor of Social Impact at Dentsu Media, shares her multifaceted roles and the importance of mental health and wellness in the workplace. Lloyd emphasizes the significance of authenticity, sharing that living as your authentic self, being true to your values, and operating and interacting with people in a way that is true to the core...

Marketing professional Karen Baker shares her story of starting her own company at just 24 years old to leading the social impact practice at Boathouse Group and how family legacy of civil rights activism has deeply influenced her approach to business, underscoring the need for inclusive representation in the industry. With her wealth of experience working with renowned brands like BET and Puma, B...