"LeadDIVERSITY pushed me to be bold, be brave, and question myself on my own lens."
- Desiree Powell
Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Class of 2016
"LeadDIVERSITY is a fantastic program. It has helped me to gain insight and knowledge on difficult topics like Race, Gender, and Privilege. The program fosters healthy ways to engage, and teaches language to use when discussing diversity and inclusion issues. The program provides a safe venue for the participants to engage in strong, meaningful dialogue. I have learned and grown from interactions with my classmates. I am more aware of the issues people face and am a better ally as a result of my participation in LeadDIVERSITY. I recommend the program highly."
- Ken Liang
Eaton, Class of 2019
"Being part of LeadDIVERSITY has advanced my journey in a powerful and different way. The training I received has given me the ability to look back at my awakening process to give things a name, identify my experiences for what they were, and to realize that I wasn't alone in my journey. Interacting with cohorts gave me the opportunity to broaden my perspective as I listened to their experiences, viewpoints and thoughts while working through or analyzing different activities we were given. I learned as much from my diverse set of classmates as I did from the thought provoking activities, media presentations and guest speakers. I walked away from sessions sometimes feeling uncomfortable, sometimes feeling overwhelmed and sometimes feeling enthusiastic that change in the world was possible."
- Ann Ghazy
Case Western Reserve University, Class of 2020
"Participating in LeadDIVERSITY offered me the opportunity to reflect on my own unconcsious biases and to better understand how to overcome them in order to be a more effective administrator for my organization."
- Cindy Lombardo
Cleveland Public Library, Class of 2015
"LeadDIVERSITY transfers an individual from a spectator to a participant in the important topics of diversity and inclusion. The program effectively provides awareness that subsequently instills understanding and ignites passion."
- Frank Ritzert
NASA Glenn Research Center, Class of 2010
"LeadDIVERSITY helps individuals of all academic, cultural, and economic backgrounds expand their own understanding of diversity and in turn improve their methods of leading others to make similar breakthroughs."
- Jeff Malbasa
Spero-Smith Investment Advisors, Class of 2005
"I am so very full of inspiration and hope after completing LeadDIVERSITY. The learning was fresh and new, and it broadened my scope from my learning in my Master's program in D&I... This has been a life changing experience for me! I'm blessed to have had this experience and recommend others."
- Vicky Pryor
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Class of 2021
"I came away wanting to make a bigger statement, wanting to do more for the community, and wanting to keep in touch with my new friends."
- Peggy Mikes
Huntington Bank, Class of 2005
"The LeadDIVERSITY program was inspirational and eye opening . . . I will use what I have learned throughout the future of my career to inspire positive change in my organization and always facilitate a culture of inclusion and understanding."
- Tania Younkin
Energizer, Class of 2006
LeadDIVERSITY is a program in which a select group of professionals engages with community leaders and one another to raise the participants’ awareness of diversity, inclusion, and equity issues, build their leadership skills and enhance their network. Each session is designed to help participants explore the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership and to analyze its personal, workplace, and community impact.
The LeadDIVERSITY program will consist of 6 in-person and 5 virtual days. Programming will include live and online sessions, seminars, small group breakouts, personal reflection, conversations with Northeast Ohio’s prominent leaders, in-depth facilitated group activities, and discussion and program evaluation. Welcome to our 22nd annual class!
Application and Selectivity
Each LeadDIVERSITY class of up to 30 individuals is selected through a competitive application process. The selection committee seeks applicants with proven leadership skills who have exhibited a strong community commitment. Please view the brochure below to learn more about the program and to see the 2022-2023 LeadDIVERSITY schedule.
If you have questions, please contact Jessica A. Daigler, Director of LeadDIVERSITY at jdaigler@diversitycenterneo.org
