2021 GlobalMindED
The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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As we celebrate International Women this month, we feature outstanding women every day. Today, we meet Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, Executive Director of Finance Thought Leadership at Oracle. She has held positions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Motorola, KPMG, and in Prince George’s County (Maryland) government. From 2016 to 2018, Ellison-Taylor served as the 104th chairman of the American Institute of CPAs, where she received numerous awards and recognition. Notably, she was the youngest person, fifth woman, and first person of color to serve as chairman in the AICPA’s 130-year history. As a First-Generation graduate, she is also an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon, her Alma Mater. Her inclusive leadership allows her to inspire others to be the best version of themselves. We are honored to share her story.
Upcoming March Equity Events Celebrating Inclusive Women- 2:00 MST/4:00 EST click link to register, details below:
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Kimberly, you are a very successful global leader and Executive Director of Finance Through Leadership at Oracle, one of the most major tech companies in the world. What is your personal story and how did you rise to this level of success?
My story begins as a little girl in the inner city of Baltimore. My life was changed when during a career presentation, I learned about the various career options including: Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, and CPAs. When I heard, “CPAs manage the money,” I was sold. My career plans began that day. I took Accounting in high school and planned to major in Accounting in College. My plans didn’t work out exactly according to plan when I attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and ended up majoring in Information Systems Management with a technical writing minor. I still planned to be a CPA but didn’t want to major in Economics, the path to CPA at UMBC.
Growing up my parents always said that “education leveled the playing field”. And I took that to heart as a first generation college student. I have relied on education to help me differentiate, learn additional skill sets, and build my confidence. I graduated Valedictorian, attended college on a full scholarship, obtained a Master's degree, accounting certificate, Chief Information Officer certificate, and a Masters in Information Technology Management. I also became a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Information Systems Auditor.
Along with every degree and/or credential, I gained the confidence to raise my hand to say yes to new challenges and initiatives. I stepped out of my comfort zone to get to know people who were different and to create a personal board of directors.
I am a work in progress and my story is still being written. However, I am acutely aware that every story doesn’t turn out like mine. This is exactly why I live by To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required.
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So much of the tech world is white and male. How did you navigate this world as likely a 'first and only' through many years?
I learned early to focus on what I can change. I can’t change being Black Woman who grew up in a low socioeconomic environment. I knew who I was and whose I was so even if an “ism” occurred, it never got past the inner strength that always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be if I worked hard enough. Working hard enough extended to years of schooling and doing hard things like programming classes, becoming a CPA, working in multiple industries, and taking on challenging leadership roles. In the always inevitable cases of disappointment, I had faith that a bigger opportunity was waiting around the corner.
Also, as I have painfully become aware, in environments where I was the “only”. I didn’t always bring the full perspective I could bring being uniquely me—a Black Woman. I tongue in cheek say, that I lived as a Caucasian Man for years.
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You were on the Board of Directors American Institute of CPAs (Chairman from 2016-2018), and other organizations. What is your success secret to lead within these top structures where few women and women of color have yet to be represented?
Inclusive leadership and being results-driven are how I have achieved success. Inclusive leadership has enabled me to effectively lead teams and inspire all team members to give their best. Being results-driven was a great path to recognition and built trust across the organization.
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What do you most want to say to young people who would like to become a leader like you someday?
Focus on your Triple A plan
Appearance – how you show up in particular on social media is very important
Attitude – A positive attitude is infectious and is the foundation of a great collaborator
Aptitude – Keep learning. A lifelong commitment to learning will ensure you remain relevant and up to speed on the strategic direction of the organization.
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At the end of your career, what would you most like your legacy to be?
At the end of my career, I want my legacy to be reflected through the women and men—especially people of color who found inspiration in my example to achieve their wildest, most “impossible” dreams.
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The Kimberly Ellison-Taylor Story |
An MACPA short film
(Click the link below)
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Click below to watch the Inclusive Leader Award Ceremony featuring inspirational messages from the diverse Award Winners
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GlobalMindED and the SDG Impact Fund are delighted to announce GlobalMindED's Donor Advised Fund. 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Women's Declaration and Action Platform. Many from around the world are thinking of 2020 as the gateway to our most vital decade for delivering equity, the Sustainable Development Goals, and a world where all can thrive. Our key time for these outcomes is 2020-2030.
GlobalMindED DAF and the SDG Impact Fund are a powerful combined force for good as the 2019 year comes to a close and we reflect on the gratitude and the commitments we make to the causes we care most about. The DAF offers immense power and flexibility for giving prior to the year's end as you plant seeds of generous intention for 2020 and the decade ahead.
When you contribute to GlobalMindED, you support First Gen students. We have served more than 400 students by connecting them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. Your generous support will allow us to take our work 10x and reach these talented students at scale who lack the resources and support we provide. Your support also helps teachers who can't afford the conference fees, faculty at colleges which are under resourced and students who persist at those universities despite food insecurity and/or housing insecurity.
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Links to read about Inclusive Leaders, many of whom are African American and people of color:
Curated sessions from GlobalMindED 2020 YouTube channel:
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From the Center for Positive Organizations:
From the Economist:
From Forbes:
From Harvard Business Review:
From the World Academy of Art & Science and UN; Geneva Global Leadership in the 21st Century econference:
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Listen here for an interview with Pam Newkirk, GlobalMindED speaker and author of Diversity Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion- Dollar Business.
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Meet GlobalMindED Founder, Carol Carter as interviewed by Tim Moore on his podcast Success Made to Last: From Success to Significance
Listen to Part 1 of Carol's interview
Listen to Part 2 of Carol's interview
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Recent GlobalMindED Newsletter Profiles:
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Since 2006 when the flagship TGR Learning Lab opened its doors in Anaheim, CA, TGR Foundation has had a lot to celebrate, including its most recent milestone of one million students impacted by TGR EDU: Explore, alone.
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore is a free digital resource library that offers interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and tools for educators, students and families to explore new disciplines and gain skills for a modern and expanding workforce.
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As you start the New Year, are you looking for ways to re-engineer your classroom culture? Check out Designing the Future: How Engineering Builds Creative Critical Thinking in the Classroom. The associated website has lots of activities, projects, and resources you can implement immediately. Our fall workshops using the book as a roadmap for change have been highly successful. Start designing the future today - try using the customized Study Guide for a book study in your PLC. Or contact ProjectEngin or Solution Tree to learn how you can bring professional development based on Ann's book to your school, district, or conference.
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THE FLYOVER NATION
Energy's Role in a Troubled Heartland
By J.C. Whorton
A unique and timely discussion of the challenging issues facing the country’s troubled Heartland.
Since the beginning of westward expansion into the Heartland’s vast regions, natural resource development has played a historic role in shaping its communities. Today, domestic oil and gas development offers one of the strongest prospects for the Heartland’s present and future prosperity as well as the nation’s re-emergence as a dominant player in the global energy economy.
The U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, two circumstances that are universally disrupting international geopolitical order. The earth has a finite supply of natural resources and a rapidly growing and over consuming population.
As America positions itself for a very uncertain and constantly evolving global marketplace, will the Heartland become America’s “great connector” or “great divide”?
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J.C. Whorton is a senior level energy and financial professional with over forty years of essential experience. Having a ranching and Native American heritage, Mr. Whorton is a strong advocate for rural education and economic development initiatives.
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