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 Chantal Unfug, Director of the Division of Local Government. In addition, she was the Director of the Women's Business Office for Governor Roy Romer in Denver. Chantal is passionate about community development and advocacy for economic development. Read more about her below.
Upcoming March Equity Events Celebrating Inclusive Women- 2:00 MST/4:00 EST click link to register, details below:
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We understand your team has been involved in the federal stimulus plans and was recently awarded a grant from the Economic Development Administration in rural economic recovery? Tell us about that.
We are responsible for managing $275m from the Local Government funding through the CARES Act, and $37m from State funds for business relief, and more is coming with the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan. This has been challenging for everyone, but at the end of the day we know resources are going to those who need it the most, those providing critical public services and those on the front lines. In DOLA, we focus not only on the response needed in critical moments, but we also keep our eyes to the future to ensure our communities have the tools they need to be able to recover inclusively and resiliently. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $2.3 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to us to help rural Colorado communities develop inclusive economic recovery and resiliency plans. These efforts will support the growth of regional economies and businesses, and advance economic resiliency efforts, and are expected to create 100 jobs as well as $50 million in private investment.. A State Partnership Team including the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), along with the nonprofit Community Builders, will offer rural communities planning and technical assistance support to diversify and strengthen their economies while building resiliency. The goal is to serve 16 Regional Community Teams, representing at least 50 rural Colorado communities. This initiative will provide essential recovery and resiliency planning support so that our rural communities – including critical communities impacted by the transitioning coal economy – can take a long-term, holistic view to reimagine their regional economies and advance priority projects. By thinking regionally, these rural communities will have the advantage of strategizing around impacts and opportunities while also building partnerships towards shared visions and goals. The benefits will go beyond pandemic response and recovery and will move Colorado towards a more resilient future.
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Tell us about the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and why your Division of Local Government is unique in supporting community/economic development.
No other State has a DOLA! DOLA’s Division of Local Government (DLG) has been a strong, trusted partner and voice for local governments across Colorado for over 50 years, and believes that strong local communities create a strong Colorado. With team members all steeped in local government and community development, we weave together self-reliance, local empowerment, inclusive resilient practices, and strong local leadership and we have the funding to financially support local priorities to make an impact. We know the strength of a community relies on strong building blocks to create long-lasting stability and an environment in which every resident can thrive. https://cdola.colorado.gov/local-government
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You have volunteered with Globalminded for almost a decade, serving on the Board, sheparding students in the tech tracks, and connecting multiple states in their rural work. How has Globalminded influenced your work at the State of Colorado and your work with smaller, rural communities?
Globalminded’s mission reminds me every day to take the time to think broadly, to question our systems as well as why and how we do, what we do. I also focus on creating new ways of supporting and funding more inclusive, resilient community development across the state and encouraging welcoming public input processes. Our mission to build new systems and get resources to those who have been marginalized - whether for affordable housing, access to capital for entrepreneurial efforts, or financial support to non-profits working to alleviate poverty is critical and volunteering has deeply embedded this ethic into my work every day. I have also been participating in multiple national learning labs for funders on equity, diversity and inclusion and will continue to bring those shared experiences to our work in rural communities.
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Chantel's Bio:
A native of Colorado, Chantal’s childhood, filled with countless days exploring small, rural communities, created a passion for community building. Her early career in communications in Europe, as a business woman in medical investment consulting, and part-time ski instructor in Aspen and Winter Park led her on a continued path as an advocate for community and economic development, neighborhood stabilization and revitalization, including serving as the Director of the Women's Business Office under Governor Roy Romer, as the Manager of City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation in Mayor Guillermo "Bill" Vidal Cabinet and as a County Administrator for the Mesa County, Board of County Commissioners.
This path led Chantal to the Department of Local Affairs to serve as Director of the Division of Local Government in 2013 where she leads over 75 employees to provide research, technical assistance, problem-solving, and expertise on community and economic development with a focus in local governance. She also oversees multiple unique state and federal grant programs and has distributed close to $1B to strategically invest annually in thousands of local community development and resilience projects in the past 8 years. In her time in DOLA, she identified multiple gaps and trends to successfully develop, implement and launch programs to address the needs of rural communities across Colorado, including, for example, Space to Create affordable housing, 4R- Rural Response, Recovery and Resilience, Colorado Resilience Office, Rural Economic Development Initiative and Transforming Safety.
Having served on several community boards in her career including GlobalmindED, Chantal is currently serving as board member and secretary for the Colorado Mountain Club and Colorado Resource Center supporting non-profits statewide.
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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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