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As a preview for the upcoming Women of Color Leadership and Empowerment Conference, being held Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Harvard Law School, Color Magazine will publish a series of Q&A stories with the Executive Speakers for the event.
Our first interview is with Dani Monroe, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Partners HealthCare, who will be speaking on “Tapping Your Talent: Eliminating Self-Imposed Barriers.”
Can you tell us more about your position as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Partners HealthCare? What is the most rewarding part of your job?
As the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Partners HealthCare, my role is to develop and guide the diversity and inclusion agenda and to infuse them into all areas of the organization, thereby influencing most important areas of Partners: health care, innovative research, quality health care, and community engagement. Being the largest health care provider in the region with 68,000 employees and one of the most respected in the world, I find most rewarding the ability to work collaboratively with smart and dedicated colleagues to conceptualize, define, assess, nurture, and cultivate diversity and inclusion as an institutional imperative.
How did you hear about Color Magazine’s Women of Color Leadership and Empowerment Conference? What is it about the conference that intrigues you?
This Conference has its own brand and standing in the Boston Business Culture. It’s powerful to create a forum where important information is being transferred from one generation of women leaders to the next. Research indicates that women of color are a leading demographic group, so I feel that Color Magazine is in the forefront of addressing their needs, and I find it intriguing that this is one of the few conferences nationally focused on providing strategies and tools to prepare women of color for higher leadership roles.
Please tell us more about the session you’re holding for the Women of Color Conference. What are your goals? What do you want others to walk away with?
My session entitled “Tapping Your Talent: Eliminating Self-Imposed Barriers,” will address how one furthers their success by recognizing and addressing self-imposed barriers. As women of color, we are often faced with enormous and complex daily decisions that intensify our lives. Whether we are responding to our families, children, work, men, or negotiating against corporate politics, our self-worth and success can often be at stake, thus challenging our inability to believe in ourselves and what we are capable of doing. My goal for participants of my session is to help the women recognize barriers that they impose on themselves which prohibits them from growing personally and professionally. I want them to walk away understanding three key tactics that will lead towards their leadership success: how to keep their own council; how to play their own game; and how not to let others define who they are.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What else are you passionate about?
Having spare time is a luxury these days, but I do enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, exercising, and learning new things. I am also passionate about mentoring people for greatness.
Who and/or what inspires you?
My mother inspires me every day. She was a true humanitarian with a big heart. She demonstrated a quiet leadership through love. Actually, it was quite phenomenal…Also, I am inspired by women who are living their life’s purpose. It is evident in the way they present themselves, through their work, and how they “show-up.”
How will you help to inspire other women of color career-wise?
Leading by example—being excellent in my work, having humility, and being open to new experiences, all while being my authentic self.
The Women of Color Leadership and Empowerment Conference takes place on Thursday, June 23, from 11 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., at Austin Hall, Ames Court Room -Harvard Law School. For tickets and more information click HERE.
