Hope Ministries’ Post

https://lnkd.in/g5URpeis Watching Tom McInerney, CEO of Genworth, share his reflections on the 20th anniversary of the company going public was truly inspiring. Tom’s personal connection to caregiving resonates deeply with Genworth’s mission, reminding us that behind every policyholder are real families facing real challenges. His vision for the future of Genworth focuses on innovation and unwavering support for those navigating long-term care decisions. Tom’s personal caregiving experience highlights the importance of empathy in leadership, making it clear that understanding customer needs goes beyond business—it’s about human connection. Genworth’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and innovate within the long-term care sector show the company’s commitment to adapting and evolving with the changing needs of our aging population. The emphasis on shared experiences, whether among employees or policyholders, underscores Genworth’s culture of responsibility and support. Tom’s insights serve as a powerful reminder of the impact of leadership that is not only strategic but also deeply personal. It’s about leading with heart, driving change, and being there for our communities when it mattets most.

With 2024 now before us, we are reminded that each New Year is not just a continuation but a reaffirmation of our dedication to Honoring the past, celebrating the present, and forging a path of hope for the future. Read more in today's blog: https://lnkd.in/ea8bSxD4

🌟 At the heart of successful L&D strategies lies a commitment to DEI. As we continue to build resilient and innovative teams, integrating learning focused on engaging and empowering employees and leaders and embedding DEI principals into our people programs is essential. 🌎 That’s where DEI in Context comes in. DEI in Context is a powerful, engaging video based online program that integrates history into DEI initiatives. The debut collection, “Patterns in American Racism”, was released this spring by Ohlinger Studios and Patrice Lumumba Jones at Enlight Media. It features six video-based modules that focus on anti-Black racism in the United States. Topics covered include the history of slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, housing discrimination, and mass incarceration.  📈 I’m both humbled and honored to have contributed to the launch of the "Patterns in American Racism" collection. Leading a pilot program with a diverse group of SurveyMonkey employees, I’m thrilled to share that the results are promising. Our pilot group rated the overall effectiveness of the modules at 4.6 out of 5 and their impact on our DEI initiatives at 4.2 out of 5. Additionally, the collection received an impressive NPS score of 62. ➡ “Each fact, each defeat, each hard earned victory is a source of inspiration and a call to action. To take on our shared challenges, we need to start with a clear view of our shared past - both our achievements and our setbacks. DEI in Context is for those who see DEI not as a checklist or as a distraction, but as a necessity.”  ⚡ Check out the trailer (https://lnkd.in/eH768DQj) and learn how you can enrich your organizational culture and empower your organization and your employees to be a force for change.

Congratulations to Alli O'Connell, Beth Foster-Chao, and Cyrus R. Martin!! As part of our DEI strategy, the Autodesk Foundation redesigned our website to be more transparent, inclusive, and grantee-forward – transitioning from an invitation-only funding stream to a self-nominating process, with details about what to expect within the selection process, average funding, clear criteria, and theories of change. We created custom landing pages to build credibility for early-stage organizations, with innovator-forward content uplifting historically underrepresented leaders. Goals & Objectives: In redesigning our website, we aim to set a new standard for transparency, open-source funding, and grantee-forward content in corporate philanthropy. The redesign is part of our overall DEI strategy to increase funding to a portfolio that reflects the ecosystem's diversity and talent. Results & Impact: Since the website redesign, we have surpassed key DEI targets – 46% percent of portfolio organizations have at least one person of color in the CEO/founder group, a 230% increase over our baseline. Women lead 50%+ of organizations, representing 4% growth over the baseline.

As we continue celebrating three decades of advancements in institutional strategy, we honor the pearl anniversary with a second pearl of wisdom collected over the years. Find the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eHmQ6vcD #anniversary #companyanniversary #institutionalstrategy #pearlsofwidsom 

🎖️ From Valor to Victory: Memorial Day's Business Lessons Unveiled 🚀 As we enjoy the long weekend and time spent with loved ones, it's crucial to pause and honor the true significance of Memorial Day. Today, we commemorate the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their selflessness and dedication remind us of the importance of honor, integrity, and sacrifice, values that resonate deeply within our business community. As entrepreneurs and professionals, we strive for excellence, but it's essential to remember the foundation upon which our freedoms and opportunities are built. Memorial Day serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact individuals can have when they commit themselves wholeheartedly to a cause greater than themselves. In business, this translates to fostering a culture of service, teamwork, and purpose-driven leadership. Moreover, Memorial Day underscores the significance of gratitude and appreciation. Just as we express gratitude for the sacrifices of our fallen heroes, let us also express gratitude for the dedicated individuals who contribute to our businesses every day. As we honor the memory of those who gave their lives for our country, let us recommit ourselves to upholding the values they fought to defend. Together, let's strive to build businesses and communities that reflect the spirit of unity, resilience, and service exemplified by our fallen heroes. #MemorialDay #HonoringHeroes #BusinessValues #Gratitude

🌟 Rising Together: Honoring George Floyd's Legacy Through the Transformative Power of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 🌟 It's been four years since George Floyd's murder, an event that shook the world and ignited a movement for social justice. In my latest article, I explore how this pivotal moment has transformed our workplaces and society, driving a deeper commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). 🔍 Sneak Peek: - Discover the impact of George Floyd's legacy on corporate and non-profit DEI initiatives. - Learn about the challenges and successes in DEI programs across various industries. - Understand the crucial steps organizations must take to ensure DEI is not just a buzzword but a fundamental part of their mission. - Get insights from my experiences leading DEI efforts and bridging gaps in various sectors. Join me as we reflect on the progress we've made, the challenges we face, and the actions we must take to build a more equitable future for all. #RisingTogether #GeorgeFloyd #DEI #SocialJustice #Inclusion #Diversity #Equity #Leadership #CorporateResponsibility #WorkplaceInclusion #Transformation #Accountability #DEIImpact #Progress #FutureOfWork

Kansas City's university is the home of so many KC leaders, but don't just take my word for it! Check out this article from KC mag featuring our Chancellor, alumni and, yes, Patrick Mahomes!

Short origin story (with shoutouts)... Six years ago, Kristen King handed me the Bridge to Completion report created by the Tennessee College Access and Success Network & Nashville Public Education Foundation. This report started me down a path that I would devote my next 6 years of my life waking up every morning thinking about. As principal at RePublic Schools, my very next PD session was focused on this report and it became the backbone of my "why" and my "what" in education. Why were we measuring "success" on low-income students graduating from high school and getting accepted into college and not on students getting college degrees and being fruitful employees? What could we do to solve the problem of only 24% of Nashville students earning a college degree? Fast forward to 5 years ago, when Kristen and I were considering the idea of Persist Nashville, a good friend of mine, Stephen Zralek, connected me with Jennifer H. to have lunch. What I didn't know from that meeting was that, along with Bob Obrohta, Jennifer was the primary architect of the report that started me down the path. As a super energetic and often naive founder with an idea, Jennifer was willing to take a chance on me and be my first Board Chair. Once a month I would walk into Jennifer's office with a list of 17-19 ideas and she would tell me go for it, a gentle maybe, and only occasionally a no. Behind the scenes, Jennifer was making sure I was seated in the right rooms, listening to the people who really understood the problem of college persistence and could help us solve it. She often had to smooth over my rough edges and gracefully advocate for my good intentions. In all ways, she helped me and Persist grow. 2 years ago, Jennifer and I were selected for the Tennessee SCORE Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute, one of the best professional programs I've been a part of. Through these intensive retreats, something clicked, and I realized that Jennifer was really what our team at Persist needed. Her ability to understand and navigate complex systems, leadership style, and fierce advocacy for students was what Persist needed as we emerged from our infancy stage of organizational development. 1 year ago, my team agreed and unanimously voted to bring her on as our first Chief of Staff. Over the past year she has built a new strategic plan, helped me navigate one of the most challenging seasons of our organization, and built the systems we need to smartly grow. 1 day ago the Board approved Jennifer to be our next Executive Director and I could not be happier. You've helped this idea become a reality and now you and Kristen will take this reality to new heights. So thankful for you. For those wondering, I'm not leaving Persist. My role will shift down in July to focusing on our work outside of Nashville as I take on a new role serving schools in Nashville. More to come, but for now, cheers to Jennifer. You will be an extraordinary leader of our team!

2024 is upon us and to celebrate I wrote a brief review of what happened last year and previewed what we might look forward to in the New Year. Below is a peak, read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/giZvsqPu