In his latest article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Vincent Robison offers some important and timely advice for new leaders that are breaking ground.
Every new leader faces challenges. But for those who are breaking barriers within their organizations, the challenges are even more pronounced.
These new leaders must find their footing and navigate cultures that either overtly or subtly remind them that they are different, whether they are the first person of color, first woman, or first openly LGBTQ person to serve a prominent role within an organization.
Long before they moved into the C-suite, these leaders spent years preparing mentally and emotionally for the challenges they would face.
The good news is that we now have enough examples of trailblazing leaders to begin to see patterns. Their examples provide a blueprint, and emerging leaders who want to do the same should take these four steps.
We are thrilled to welcome Philip McAdoo as Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for Earthjustice. After an exciting career on Broadway (The Lion King, Rent), he became a thought leader on diversity, equity and inclusion. Over the years of his experience, Philip has developed a broad perspective on equity and inclusion having worked to maximize measurable outcomes for students in Atlanta, New York City, Washington DC and Africa. Highlights from his professional experience include 20 years of serving in pivotal roles including running his own diversity and inclusion consulting firm, as the Director of Equity, Justice & Community at Sidwell Friends School, as the Director of Diversity at Pace Academy, as Adjunct Assistant Professor at California Institute of Integral Studies and as Education Coach & Advocate at Families First. Philip is also a very active member of the Coca-Cola Scholars Alumni Advisory Board and in different phases of his extraordinary career has been an actor, film maker and author of two books: Every Child Deserves and Independent Queers: LGBTQ Educators in Independent Schools Speak Out. His educational background includes a Doctorate in Education with a specialty in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of Pennsylvania which covered study of modern developments in the areas of diversity and inclusion, organizational leadership, program management, performance management, educational leadership, and staff development.
