Description
This event is FREE to all USC community.
Leaders play a critically important role in all organizations. They are entrusted with casting vision, setting the tone, developing programs, and engaging an organization’s most valuable resource: its employees. As we endeavor to improve our organizations and elevate to new heights, it is imperative that we interrogate ourselves as leaders. Are we behaving in a way that promotes a culture of belonging? Join us as we define what it means to be an inclusive leader, explore barriers that may get in the way, and discuss strategies to ensure we consistently model inclusive leadership.
Speaker Bios:
Chandra Montgomery is a veteran fundraising strategist and certified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) speaker and practitioner with more than two decades of experience in the academic and non-profit sectors. Chandra is co-chair of the University Advancement DEI Council at USC where she is the director of pipeline and prospect development for Health Sciences. Her background in philanthropy spans academic medicine, higher education, public media, and social services. Prior to USC, she led prospect development teams at National Public Radio and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Chandra’s professional distinctions include serving on the Advocacy (Chair) and DEI committees for the Association for Professional Researchers of America (Apra), having previously served as Membership Chair and on the board of directors of the Virginia Chapter. She is a member of the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP), Women of Color in Philanthropy (WOC), and the African American Development Officer’s Network (AADO). WOC and AADO are organizations committed to diversity and inclusion in the fundraising sector.
In addition to being a Trojan staff member, Chandra is also pursuing a master’s degree at the Gould School of Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hampton University and is president of the Greater Los Angeles Alumni Chapter and regional vice president of the National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc.
Shalonda F. Martin is a data, organizational development, DEI, and leadership professional with over 18 years of experience. She is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, and creating inclusive work cultures. In her career, she has led teams at Pepperdine University, UCLA, and now USC. She specializes in developing data quality programs, curating and designing DEI content, leading professional and organizational development efforts, implementing data management strategies, identifying opportunities for system optimization, troubleshooting operational issues, and implementing best practices. Additionally, she is a career and executive leadership coach with an emphasis on aiding women and minorities succeed in their careers. Shalonda has a BS in Intercultural Communications and an MS in Management and leadership from Pepperdine University. She is currently working on her EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership at USC. Shalonda serves as a member of the programming committee for the Association for Advancement Services Professionals (AASP). She also has served as a coach for graduate students as they navigate their capstone projects. Additionally, she leads webinars, guest lectures at the university level, and engages in public speaking on a variety of topics. She enjoys seeing others thrive and finding ways to best serve them.
