--- title: UpliftED Conversations | A DEI Podcast | Justin Ponder description: Justin Ponder is a professor who teaches courses on Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, and Ethnic Minority Literature. He has published in numerous journals and books on the issue of race and identity politics, exploring the ways to bridge the gap between who we are and who we must become to achieve a more equitable world for others. He has helped organizations and leaders consider connections between the historical past, the social present, and a more just future. He knows how to masterfully weave the academic with the practical, the political with the personal so people can better appreciate the complexity of the issues while finding clarity about their responsibilities. In his work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, he is known for his ability to teach difficult lessons in gentle ways that combine heartbreak and humor to inspire hope. --- # Podcast ## Fostering dynamic conversations around the intersection of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Leadership. Directing our conversations are Uplifting Impact’s Chief Change Agent, Deanna Singh, and Chief Information Officer, Justin Ponder. Our hosts are highly respected thought leaders, educators, and consultants specializing in DEI and are known for their ability to teach difficult lessons with tact and kindness that inspire change and innovation within organizations. [ Listen On Youtube! ](https://www.youtube.com/@upliftingimpact794) ![img@2x-Apr-18-2023-04-20-03-4078-PM](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/img@2x-Apr-18-2023-04-20-03-4078-PM.png "img@2x-Apr-18-2023-04-20-03-4078-PM") Posts by: ## Justin Ponder [Follow me on my website ](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-ponder-1200b72b/) Justin Ponder is a professor who teaches courses on Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, and Ethnic Minority Literature. He has published in numerous journals and books on the issue of race and identity politics, exploring the ways to bridge the gap between who we are and who we must become to achieve a more equitable world for others. He has helped organizations and leaders consider connections between the historical past, the social present, and a more just future. He knows how to masterfully weave the academic with the practical, the political with the personal so people can better appreciate the complexity of the issues while finding clarity about their responsibilities. In his work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, he is known for his ability to teach difficult lessons in gentle ways that combine heartbreak and humor to inspire hope. ### [Bringing the Human Back to Human Resources w/ Andre Nellams](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/bringing-the-human-back-to-human-resources) Nov 4, 2021 12:00:00 AM Andre Nellams is a human resource leader with more than 20 years of HR experience. In his current role as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Accolade, Inc., he focuses on strategies that introduce, build and implement human resources programs and initiatives that deliver key results. He also enjoys creating and being a part of a work environment where the sense of belonging is true and honest. In our conversation, Andre shares many helpful strategies for approaching this work for those that may be new to DEI as well as for those who have been doing this work for a while. We discuss inherent bias, the importance of one-on-one conversations, and how to use the data that you gather to build policies and practices that will result in positive change. Andre also shares a strong sense of family and community, and how his passion for success shows up for him and impacts those around him. To connect with Andre, you can find him on LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anellamshrleader](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anellamshrleader) ### [Breaking the Mold: Impact of Social Conditioning on Leadership](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/breaking-the-mold-social-conditioning-and-its-effect-on-leadership) Oct 7, 2021 12:00:00 AM Hira Ali is a leadership trainer, career coach, and Founder of Advancing Your Potential. She is passionate about empowering women and ethnic minorities, closing the gender gap, and advocating diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her work has been featured in *Forbes, Telegraph, BBC, Harpers Bazaar*, and *Huff Post* and in 2019 she released her first book, *Her Way To The Top: A Guide to Smashing the Glass Ceiling*. Just recently she released her second companion book, *Her Allies: A Practical Toolkit to Help Men Lead Through Advocacy*. ### [How To Be A Responsible DEI Leader](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/how-to-be-a-responsible-dei-leader) Sep 9, 2021 12:00:00 AM Sharon Harvey Davis is the VP of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for Ameren. In her role, she is responsible for leading all DEI strategic efforts, including diversity training, employee resource groups, diversity communications, and the executive diversity council. Under Sharon's leadership, Ameren has been ranked as one of the nation's top utilities by DiversityInc for 12 consecutive years. Throughout her 19 years of experience with Ameren, Sharon has seen many changes within the diversity space. She shares some of the developments and progressions that have taken place, both within Ameren and with diversity work overall. We discuss some challenges she has faced, and some of the coming trends for DEI work as well. To connect with Sharon, you can find her on Linked In: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-harvey-davis-76234a5](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-harvey-davis-76234a5) ### [DEI Is Not “One Size Fits All” w/ Girish Ganesan](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/dei-is-not-one-size-fits-all) Aug 26, 2021 12:00:00 AM Excited to share a recent conversation with Girish Ganesan, a strategic leader and innovative thinker with a passion for improving organizational performance. In his current role as the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at TD Bank Group, he is responsible for overseeing development, implementation of diversity and inclusion tactics, strategies, and programs for the customers, colleagues, and communities they serve. ### [Approaching DEI: Creating Inclusive Space and Fostering Belonging](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/starting-from-scratch-how-to-start-the-conversation-around-dei) Aug 12, 2021 12:00:00 AM Sabrina Griffith is a consultant, trainer, and strategist who works to encourage inclusion and belonging in corporations, businesses, and organizations, as they strive to create equitable practices. She uses her experience over the last 15 years as a DEI practitioner to develop and facilitate engaging and comprehensive sessions on DEI topics, including gender sexuality, LGBTQ+ allyship, bias, race, colorism, and classism to name a few. In our conversation, we discuss how she got started in DEI work, what it’s like to start from scratch with people who are new to these conversations, and ways organizations can approach talent acquisition with intention for creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive spaces. To learn more about and connect with Sabrina, find her on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinangriffith), or on her website, [https://www.griffithconsultingservices.com/](https://www.griffithconsultingservices.com/) [![Apple Podcasts](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/icon@2x.png) APPLE PODCAST ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uplifting-impact/id1510963443) [![Spotify](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/spotify@2x.png) SPOTIFY ](https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZowSaPE9cFTlOxCW6eFrH)[![YouTube Podcasts](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Podcasts/Podcast%20Page%20Assets/youtube-podcast-icon-b%26w-small.png) YOUTUBE ](https://www.youtube.com/@upliftingimpact794/podcasts) > Nov 04 2021 [Bringing the Human Back to Human Resources w/ Andre Nellams](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/bringing-the-human-back-to-human-resources) [►](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/bringing-the-human-back-to-human-resources) by Justin Ponder Andre Nellams is a human resource leader with more than 20 years of HR experience. In his current role as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Accolade, Inc., he focuses on strategies that introduce, build and... - Nov 04 2021 [►](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/bringing-the-human-back-to-human-resources) [Bringing the Human Back to Human Resources w/ Andre Nellams](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/bringing-the-human-back-to-human-resources) by Justin Ponder Andre Nellams is a human resource leader with more than 20 years of HR experience. In his current role as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Accolade, Inc., he focuses on strategies that introduce, build and... - Oct 07 2021 [►](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/breaking-the-mold-social-conditioning-and-its-effect-on-leadership) [Breaking the Mold: Impact of Social Conditioning on Leadership](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/breaking-the-mold-social-conditioning-and-its-effect-on-leadership) by Justin Ponder Hira Ali is a leadership trainer, career coach, and Founder of Advancing Your Potential. She is passionate about empowering women and ethnic minorities, closing the gender gap, and advocating diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her work has been... - Sep 09 2021 [►](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/how-to-be-a-responsible-dei-leader) [How To Be A Responsible DEI Leader](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/how-to-be-a-responsible-dei-leader) by Justin Ponder Sharon Harvey Davis is the VP of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for Ameren. In her role, she is responsible for leading all DEI strategic efforts, including diversity training, employee resource groups, diversity... - Aug 26 2021 [►](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/dei-is-not-one-size-fits-all) [DEI Is Not “One Size Fits All” w/ Girish Ganesan](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/dei-is-not-one-size-fits-all) by Justin Ponder Excited to share a recent conversation with Girish Ganesan, a strategic leader and innovative thinker with a passion for improving organizational performance. In his current role as the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at TD Bank Group, he is... - Aug 12 2021 [►](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/starting-from-scratch-how-to-start-the-conversation-around-dei) [Approaching DEI: Creating Inclusive Space and Fostering Belonging](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/podcast/uplifting-impact/starting-from-scratch-how-to-start-the-conversation-around-dei) by Justin Ponder Sabrina Griffith is a consultant, trainer, and strategist who works to encourage inclusion and belonging in corporations, businesses, and organizations, as they strive to create equitable practices. She uses her experience over the last 15 years as a DEI... ![img podcast@2x](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/img%20podcast@2x.png "img podcast@2x") Our purpose is to provide actionalable insights and wisdom from a diverse group of leaders, executives, consultants, entrepreneurs, and DEI change-makers in the workplace. We’ve been fortunate to host industry luminaries from organizations like Hewlett Packard (HP), Ford, Kohl’s, and many others who have generously shared their expertise on DEI topics. Our ultimate achievement is when our listeners feel inspired and empowered with ideas to enhance their DEI leadership and life skills. We believe that even if we can move one person to advocate for DEI in their surroundings , it’s a triumph for the cause. ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=3856324&fmt=gif)