Dr. Colleen Batchelder has spent the last 20 years striving to learn about and spread the message of appropriate diversity and inclusion practices. Her worldview was forever changed by her early years in professional theatre. She has spent her life trying to create safe spaces for all in the workforce and the world. 

 

Take a quick peek into her accomplishments: 

 

Dr. Batchelder was named an emerging leader under 40 by the NYC Mayor's Center for Faith and Community Partnership, presented her PechaKucha on diversity and inclusion at Oxford University, and was a consultant for Thrivent and numerous nonprofits and corporations.

 

Her writing has been published in Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur Mexico, Green Entrepreneur, The Ladders, MSN, Lifehack.org, Thrive Global, She Owns It, The Good Men Project, Stamford Advocate, InClub Magazine, and George Fox University. She has also been featured in, 30 Days of Hope, Andy's Pandemic Podcast, Missy Ohe Show, LOUD Conversations, I’ll Go First, Unconventional Leaders, and Repurposed.

 

In this first half of our conversation, we chat about her background in theatre and why it was so impactful to her college experience. We also dig into why she decided to go to seminary school and pursue her doctorate despite feeling shunned by the church. 

 

She is also sharing definitions and insights on various terms that you hear when discussing diversity and inclusion. Listen in to part II as a continuation of our conversation and to learn all about the issues she sees when white allies try to take over the DEI conversation. 

 

In this episode:

[01:59] Welcome to the show, Colleen!

[02:56] When she was young, Colleen wanted to be on Broadway.

[04:26] Listen as Colleen shares how she got the opportunity to do theater professionally.

[07:12] She discusses the opportunities she had growing up to see diversity in the people around her while being in theater.

[10:34] Colleen felt like she was accepted by her family and church only if she acted like they wanted.

[11:41] “The idea of diversity is being invited to dance, inclusion is being asked to dance.”

[14:29] She doesn’t speak for people of color or LBGTQ. She creates platforms and spaces for them to speak for themselves.

[15:04] The study of how people are is anthropology.

[17:22] Colleen shares the definition of ethnography.

[20:12] She talks about where she went to school for her undergrad and what she studied.

[23:44] Her doctorate in religion is something she feels she got out of spite for how she was treated in her faith and being dismissed as a woman.

[26:36] Siobhan shares that sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you’ve accomplished, someone somewhere is going to disrespect you.

[29:44] Guided meditation is a way to create an emotional state of health.

[31:10] She talks about how she knows when she has hit a wall.

[32:59] “The best way to do things is don’t start out with your opinion, start out in the stance of learning.”

[35:16] If you are thinking of going to graduate school, make sure you do something you love or will make a difference.

[37:52] We will continue this conversation in Part II.

Links and Resources

Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change by Jennifer Brown

How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You: Practical Solutions For Today’s Diverse Workplace by Kelly McDonald 

Leading With Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret To Success by David A. Livermore

True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace by Brandan Robertson

Inclusive Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Developing & Executing an Impactful Diversity and Inclusion Strategy by Charlotte Sweeney

Hilary Rushford’s Elegant Excellence Journal

 

Connect with Colleen:

Dr. Colleen Batchelder

Blog

30 Days of Hope Podcast

Loud Summit

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

 

Connect with Siobhan: 

Industry Explorers
Industry Explorers Facebook Group
Industry Explorers on Facebook
Industry Explorers on Instagram
Industry Explorers on YouTube
Industry Explorers on TikTok
Book a Connection Call

 

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