Leading for DEI
Leading for DEI
The time to learn and lead is now.
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.
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.
Lead Faculty
Carla Kupe
Chief Equity Officer, City of Chicago Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Guest Speaker
Michael Blackshear
Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer | Head of DEI, Ryan Specialty
Guest Speaker
Greg Christian
Founder and CEO, Beyond Green Sustainable Food Partners
Guest Speaker
Fetesha Downs
Community Engagement Specialist, College of American Pathologists
Guest Speaker
Malik Henfield, PhD
Professor, School of Education | Founding Dean, Institute for Racial Justice, Loyola University Chicago
Guest Speaker
Christian Martinez
Chief Administrator and Strategy Officer, The Resurrection Project
Guest Speaker
Marquis Miller
Vice President of DEI, Obama Foundation
Guest Speaker
Chipo Nyambuyam
Co-founder and Managing Partner, CZL P.C.
Guest Speaker
Laura Ortega Lamela
Executive Director of International Business Council, IL Chamber of Commerce
Guest Speaker
AJ Patton
Founder, 548 Capital
Guest Speaker
David Sanchez
Sr. Consultant - Organizational Performance Team, Wipfli
Guest Speaker
Jeanine Valrie Logan
Lead Steward and Founder, Chicago South Side Birth Center Initiative
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 2025 cohort will be released in the spring/summer of 2025.
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.