In this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo welcomes Dr. Sandra Upton, an esteemed DEI expert and author of Make It Last. They dive deep into Sandra's journey, from academia to consulting, and explore her eight-step DEI Propel framework designed to create sustainable and impactful DEI strategies within organisations. Sandra shares her insights on overcoming resistance, building effective DEI governance, and ensuring long-term success through practical application and continuous learning. Highlights: Sandra’s Journey: Dr. Sandra Upton shares her extensive background in academia and consulting, detailing over 25 years of experience in DEI work and what inspired her to write Make It Last. Responding to DEI Backlash: Practical advice on how DEI professionals and leaders should respond to political and societal challenges, emphasising the importance of staying calm, informed, and proactive. DEI Propel Framework: Introduction to Sandra's eight-step DEI Propel framework, offering a comprehensive, strategic approach to making DEI efforts sustainable and impactful within organisations. Creating and Communicating Strategy: Exploring the importance of creating a sense of urgency, building effective governance, and developing a data-driven DEI strategy. Emphasis on the necessity of effectively communicating the DEI plan to ensure organisational engagement. Measuring and Celebrating Success: The need to measure behaviour change using cultural intelligence assessments and feedback mechanisms. Highlighting the importance of recognising and celebrating both small and large DEI victories to maintain motivation and demonstrate progress. Sustaining DEI Efforts: Continuous evaluation of DEI strategies in response to changing internal and external factors, ensuring leadership remains engaged and committed. Sandra shares personal experiences to illustrate the practical application of DEI principles in overcoming microaggressions and promoting inclusion. Key Takeaways Sandra Upton’s DEI strategies emphasise practical implementation and proactive leadership to achieve lasting impact within organisations. Her approach integrates well-researched principles with real-world application to ensure DEI efforts are both effective and sustainable. The DEI Propel framework provides an eight-step process for embedding sustainable DEI initiatives within organisations. Leaders must remain calm and data-driven in their approach to overcome challenges and ensure long-term success. Guest Bio Dr. Sandra Upton is a leading expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with over 25 years of experience. She has a robust academic background and has served as a faculty member and Dean at a private college in the United States. Dr. Upton is the author of Make It Last and the creator of the DEI Propel framework, which helps organisations develop and sustain effective DEI strategies. She is also the founder of Upton Consulting Group, where she continues to impact numerous organisations through her DEI consulting and training services. Links Dr. Sandra Upton LinkedIn: Dr. Sandra Upton on LinkedIn Upton Consulting Group Website: Upton Consulting Group Dr. Sandra Upton’s book “Make It Last” DEI Propel Course Information: DEI Propel Course Nadia Nagamootoo: LinkedIn | Instagram Avenir Consulting: https://linktr.ee/avenirconsultingservices