Certification Video        


Sharon: I thought I’d kick off our conversation talking about the certifications we earned earlier this year and why we thought that was important.


Jackie: Real change and progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion starts with the leadership team. There needs to be a commitment to the required investment in education, time and effort, and training. 


Sharon:  You wouldn’t let a doctor diagnose and treat you without the appropriate credentials…


Jackie:  So why would you want someone without appropriate credentials diagnosing and treating your company’s cultures and procedures? 


Jackie:  This is why the certified diversity executive certification, for organizational leaders and CXOs, and the certified diversity professional certification, for those who lead diversity initiatives on a day-to-day basis, is so important.. 


Kurt: Don, why did you feel it was important to make this significant investment in our team?


Don: We're creating a winning organization and to make the most profound impact on our clients and their DEI work, we needed to have the training. As a CEO, I want the best team equipped with the right tools and skills to make that happen.


Don: Kurt, what did you find the most beneficial about the training and why would you encourage others to take it?


Kurt: We’re finding that because of the current societal climate, a lot of folks are making a foray into D&I but without the proper training, it’s difficult to create the blueprints for sustainable and universally adopted change. This gives us the tools to do that.


Kurt: Sharon, how has having the training helped you better serve our clients? What insights did you find the most powerful?


Sharon: The certifications benefit everyone from D&I leaders to HR professionals to executives – but really companies are going to need diversity-trained professionals at every level of the organization. 


Don: Nods in agreement...while sharon continues
Sharon:  Now, more than ever before, I believe wise business leaders are finally beginning to understand how transformational diversity and inclusion practices are and they’re committing to lead the way with actual credentials. We all have to walk the walk.






Original version


Sharon: I am really excited about teaching the certifications we earned earlier in the year. 
Jackie: Yes, not only the certified diversity executive, for organizational leaders and CXOs but also the certified diversity professional, for those who lead diversity initiatives on a day to day basis. 
Kurt: Don, you approved the cost and time for the four of us to go through the process of earning the certification, was the investment worth it? 
DT: [Don to fill in]
Sharon: The globally recognized certifications give you inward competency and external  credibility to lead DEI initiatives within your organization.
Jackie: Right. You wouldn’t let a doctor treat you without the appropriate credentials, why wouldn’t you want verified standards for someone leading change to your company culture and policies?
Kurt: We’re finding that because of the current societal climate, a lot of folks are making a foray into D&I but without the proper training, it’s difficult to create the blueprints for sustainable and universally adopted change.
Sharon: The certifications benefit everyone from D&I leaders, to HR professionals to executives-but really companies are going to need diversity-trained professionals at every level of the organization.
DT: D&I competencies help guide your sales, marketing, recruiting and retention as our society becomes more and more diverse.
Sharon: Now, more than ever before, I believe wise business leaders are finally beginning to understand how transformational diversity and inclusion practices are and they’re committing to lead the way with actual credentials. We all have to walk the walk.


Question: Do we want to wrap here or do into some of the certification requirements?


Jackie: What was the hardest part for you? The 300 page manual let me know what I was in for. 
Kurt: The classes were enjoyable but the test was aggressive (170 questions), it really tests your understanding of the concepts. 
Sharon: I enjoyed doing the required project, but was relieved that it didn’t require edits after having it reviewed by a Certified Diversity Executive to earn the credentials. 
DT: Right, but now we consult national organizations on implementing diversity and inclusion practices for their business. [or other close]