Loyola University > Baumhart Center > Education > Leading for DEI

Leading for DEI

LEADING FOR DEI is a first-of-its-kind cohort-based program offered by Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility and Loyola’s Institute for Racial Justice. The cohort experience equips executives with the values, knowledge, and tools to design and implement enterprise-wide DEI strategies.

Leading for DEI marries the Institute for Racial Justice’s research and deep understanding of systemic inequity, racism, and xenophobia with Baumhart's expertise in change management and higher-purpose business leadership. The program engages leaders to explore how DEI can enhance each business function—from human resources to supply chain to executive governance—and add social, financial, and societal value.

Join Leading for DEI

Applications for the 2024 cohort are now being accepted. Apply by June 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. CST.

Meet participants from past cohorts:

New Tools for Driving Impact

Leveraging Loyola’s leadership in DEI, governance, human resources, and responsible business, Leading for DEI offers:

Immersive learning: Cohort members participate in an immersive two-day opening retreat followed by five facilitated cohort sessions that cover topics including understanding systemic inequity, the role of companies in advancing equity and inclusion for society, DEI as a business imperative, inclusive leadership, building inclusive cultures and teams, and change management.
Individualized coaching: Cohort members work with a strategy coach to unpack their own understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how to harness their own leadership to advance DEI. Cohort members also work with their coach to develop and deepen a tailored approach to their company’s DEI strategy.
Peer networking: Cohort members build community throughout the program, sharing best practices, strategic efforts and challenges, and additional resources.
A nationally recognized certificate: Cohort members graduate with a certificate in DEI leadership from Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business.

Structured for Continuous Learning

Leading for DEI provides executives from companies and large nonprofits with the tools to develop enterprise-wide DEI strategies that are tailored to the company’s unique purpose and positioning.

Learning objectives

Clarity Among Chaos

Facts vs. Fears - DEI Is Not "Illegal"
What Your Market and Talent Still Demand - DEI Is Here to Stay
From the Era of the "Business Case" to Next Era of "Full Integration" - DEI Is Your Lifeline

Approaches For Impact and Belonging

Resistance
Influence versus Authority
Honesty + Transparency

DEI Embodied

Stress Testing for DEI Preparedness
Creating the Container: Vulnerability + Humility
Addressing+ Repairing Harm: Communication, Collective Norms, and Cultivating a Culture of Healing and Repair
Staffing for Authentic and Effective DEI

Program structure

Leading for DEI will open with an immersive two-day retreat taking place July 18 and 19. Following the opening retreat, the cohort will meet five times (in-person and online) from July 2024 to October 2024, with a celebratory dinner taking place in late 2024. Each learning session will have a specific learning objective and will be structured to promote a high level of open peer exchange and feature facilitated strategy workshops. Alongside cohort meetings, cohort members will participate in three individualized coaching sessions and will be invited to attend gatherings at the Baumhart Center.

Throughout the program, cohort members are encouraged to invite up to three leaders within their companies to participate in select guest speaker visits and workshops.

Our Lead Facilitator

Carla Kupe
Managing Partner and Co-Founder, CZL P.C.
Learn more about Carla

2023 Guest Speakers

	Greg Christian Founder and CEO Beyond Green Sustainable Food Partners
	Malik Henfield Founding Dean, Institute for Racial Justice Loyola University Chicago
	Robert Johnson Chief Equity Officer Bezos Academy
	Marquis Miller VP, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Obama Foundation
	Candace Moore Chief Equity Officer City of Chicago
	Laura Ortega Lamela Executive Director, International Business Council Illinois Chamber of Commerce
	AJ Patton Founder 548 Capital
	Teri Ross Executive Director Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO)
	Marcia K. Thompson, Esq. Director of Community Innovation Amazon

Eligibility

We are seeking the foremost leaders for inclusion to join Leading for DEI and to be our partners in moving the needle for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging our workplaces.

We seek professionals who:

Have proven experience in engaging teams to solve complex problems
Demonstrate a deep understanding of their company’s current diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and can clearly identify areas of opportunity to move the needle
Have the power to engage internal stakeholders and executive leadership in cohort learning sessions
Are passionate about and committed to moving the needle for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across sectors and industries

Cost

Leading for DEI costs $5,000 for the year.

The cost includes:

An immersive two-day opening retreat
Five facilitated cohort sessions
Three individualized coaching sessions
All food and drink
All materials

Note: The Baumhart Center may offer partial or full cost assistance in rare cases where a candidate's participation ensures a more diverse, inclusive, and successful program for all participants.

Timeline

2024 Session Dates:

Session 1: Thursday, July 18 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)
Session 2: Friday, July 19 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)
Session 3: Thursday, August 8 - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (virtually)
Session 4: Thursday, August 29 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (virtually)
Session 5: Thursday, September 19 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)
Session 6: Thursday, October 10 - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (virtually)
Session 7: Thursday, October 31 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (in person)