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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Dr. Rita Sanzgiri is a Patent Attorney and Shareholder at the Law Firm of Sheridan Ross, and is the current chair of Colorado Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section. Rita is a dynamic First Generation immigrant from India. She holds a Ph.D. and J.D. and seamlessly combines different roles as a scientist, lawyer, mother and community leader. Rita believes that education is key to success and uses her influence and experience to open the doors for others. We are honored to have her in our GlobalMindED leadership.
Below is some of the most high impact DEI content you can find. Please share it with your networks and spread the inclusive movement until we have worldwide habits of respect, acceptance and appreciation of difference.
All GlobalMindED DEI events are on our YouTube channel. International Month of Women events:
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Dr. Sanzgiri, you're a registered patent attorney who advises clients on patent strategies and you are also a First-Gen. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got to your career?
Sure. My career path has been somewhat non-linear, more of a jungle gym than a ladder. I grew up in Mumbai, India in a family with progressive values. As a child, I was interested in science and was encouraged to pursue a career in it. I started by doing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, followed by a master’s in Biotechnology, and then went on to do my doctoral studies. I came to the U.S. as a graduate student and joined Iowa State University for a Ph.D. in genetics and neuroscience. From Mumbai, India to Ames, Iowa was a big change but I loved it. It was a wonderful academic community with many international students and I had a great time there. I also met my husband, an Iowan, who was in the engineering school. After my Ph.D., we moved to Boston, where I started my post-doctoral research in neuroscience at the Volen Center in Brandeis University. I was enjoying research and happy to continue on the academic path. But at this point, as they say, life happened. The laboratory that I was working in, moved to University of Pennsylvania Medical School. At the same time, we were expecting our first child. So instead of moving to Philadelphia to continue my research, my husband and I decided to move to Boulder, Colorado where we have family. I took a break to have my kids and became a full-time mom. Three years and two kids later, I was ready to get back into my career. But instead of going back into research, I decided to make a shift and go into business or law. I thought patent law would give me the perfect opportunity to use my research and analytical skills to help inventors and scientists bring their inventions from the laboratory to the market. So that’s what I did. I went to University of Colorado School of Law and have been in private practice since then. Currently, I am a shareholder at Sheridan Ross, an IP specialty law firm. I work with a wide variety of clients ranging from startups to large established companies and research universities and institutes to design and implement global patent strategies to protect their innovations.
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Before becoming a lawyer, you had worked as a research associate at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). What made you decide to study chemistry at the bachelor's level and why did you then go on to pursue your master's and PhD?
My interest in science developed during my childhood. I grew up in a family that instilled in me a scientific outlook and belief that science and technology are key to progress and prosperity. So I wanted to become a scientist. When I was graduating high school, biotechnology was emerging as a new cutting edge field that held promise to solve global issues such as food and agriculture, as well as medicine and health. For my bachelor’s degree, I chose to major in chemistry because an understanding of chemistry is crucial for many areas of advanced biology, especially for molecular biology and biochemistry. After that, I joined a master’s program in biotechnology at the University of Pune in India which was one of the pioneering universities in this field in India. During my master’s, I got exposed to various aspects of biotechnology, such as genetic engineering and biophysics, and got opportunities to work in research programs. I enjoyed the experience and decided that I wanted to continue in basic research. I then worked at BARC in Mumbai in their biochemistry division and worked on protein structure-function relationship. Afterwards I decided to come to the US where the most exciting research was taking place. I chose Iowa State University because it had a strong interdisciplinary genetics program with an emphasis on agricultural biotechnology, but later changed my focus to neuroscience.
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Dr. Sanzgiri, you are a Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Star of 2016 and chair of the Colorado Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section. How has this enhanced your leadership and career goals?
It feels validated to be recognized for your work by your peers. In 2017 I was elected to the Colorado Bar Association’s IP section committee, which serves as a liaison with the Colorado Bar and other professional organizations like the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and works to promote the practice of IP law in Colorado. The committee also organizes informative seminars and networking events for its members. I am the current Chair of the IP section committee. Being in this role has provided me greater visibility in the legal community and has provided me with leadership opportunities beyond patent law. For example, I have been invited to be part of a task force to look into issues related to endorsement of judicial nominees. Such experiences help me engage more broadly with my community.
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You are a leader and a Shareholder at the Law Firm Sheridan Ross. What is it like to be one of the few women lawyers running a law firm?
In patent law, men far outnumber women. My law firm Sheridan Ross has had a robust patent practice for more than 65 years and I think I was the first woman patent shareholder. We have had women shareholders in our trademark practice but not on the patent side. It is heartening to know that you have overcome the odds to be in a leadership position. Now that I am in this position, others see that it is possible to succeed in this field while being a woman of color and a First-Gen immigrant. I share my experiences with younger attorneys and advise them in navigating their careers. I am on my firm’s recently formed recruiting committee and we are focusing on bringing more women and minority lawyers into our team and then mentoring them. In general, I have found that women leaders are more concerned with issues of diversity and inclusivity at workplace, and create a more collaborative, and therefore more productive, work atmosphere.
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How would you advise the next generation of leaders?
I would advise them to reach out and seek mentors early on in their careers. You can do it on your own too, but it is very helpful to find someone who you trust and who can advise you on navigating tricky situations. Also, don’t be afraid to speak up and share your opinions and ideas. I have noticed that often women and minorities feel hesitant to speak up, especially in group settings, which keeps us out of the conversation and limits our ability to project authority, which in turn limits our leadership opportunities. My advice is not to second guess yourself and have confidence that you have a unique and valuable perspective that is worth sharing. By actively participating in discussions and pushing forth your ideas, you will be able to claim your seat at the table. And finally, I would say help others and be generous with your time with those who come after you. We got here because others, directly or indirectly, have helped us and it is now our responsibility and privilege to pay it forward.
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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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