In this episode of Room at the Table, Betsy Cerulo interviews John Guingrich, the President and CEO of The League, a nonprofit organization advocating for people with disabilities, about the importance of creating a disability-empowered environment. The conversation highlights specific challenges faced by people with disabilities in the workplace, the need for greater inclusion and understanding, and how to improve workplace culture to be more mindful of people with disabilities.Creating a Disability-Empowered EnvironmentJohn Guingrich is a dynamic advocate and leader in the field of disability rights. As the President and CEO of The League, a nonprofit organization based in Indiana, he advocates for people with any disability so they can achieve equality, gain choice and control over their lives, and receive the independence and inclusion they deserve.Throughout his career, John has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity in various settings, particularly in the workplace. He has been a driving force behind initiatives that equip managers and supervisors with the knowledge and skills to accommodate and empower employees with disabilities. His passion for advocacy extends beyond his professional life, as he actively engages in community outreach and collaborates with local employers to create more inclusive workplaces.

In this episode of Room at the Table, Betsy Cerulo welcomes her guests Dr. Famane Brown and Eileen Scully to talk about women in leadership and what it takes to empower organizations and elevate up-and-coming female leaders. Their discussion touches on the challenges faced by women in leadership, including societal labels, LGBTQ discrimination, and the demand for workplaces to adapt to the needs of diverse employees.Dr. Famane Brown is a highly accomplished leader and the Director of the Office of Human Capital for a federal government agency. She is also an established leader with a unique and varied skill set, including more than 20 years of experience as a State & Federal Contracting Professional, chief acquisition trainer and in addition a successful practitioner in leadership and management.Dr. Brown has developed a leadership philosophy centered around creating inclusive, high-impact teams with a focus not just on filling requisitions, but coaching employees to be the best leaders possible.Eileen Scully is the Founder and CEO of The Rising Tides, which works to make the workplace better for women. She is an international keynote speaker, and has shared her message with thousands of people, in audiences all over the world. Scully is also the author of In the Company of Men: How Women can Succeed in a World Built Without Them, which was published in 2019.In 2021, Eileen was given the Rebuilder Award from the Irish Echo to recognize her work advancing women during the global pandemic. She was named a Belfast Homecoming Ambassador in October of 2020. In December of 2018, Eileen was named to Irish America Magazine’s 2018 Business 100 list, the second consecutive year she received this prestigious and deeply meaningful honor.

In this episode of Room at the Table, Betsy Cerulo is joined by Sam McClure, the Executive Director of the Center for LGBTQ Health Equity, and Aya Shuman, the Executive Director of the Institute for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, both from Chase Brexton Health Care. They discuss the role of leaders in supporting initiatives aimed at achieving equity, provide valuable insights into the meaning of equity, and emphasize the need for awareness, compassion, and taking intentional actions to address and eliminate inequities.Aya Shuman is a dedicated leader and advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the healthcare industry. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Institute for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Chase Brexton Health Care. Recognizing the importance of education and advocacy, Aya has been actively involved in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion beyond the confines of her organization. She frequently speaks at conferences, conducts workshops, and participates in community forums, sharing her expertise and inspiring others. Aya has received numerous awards and accolades for her transformative work, including the Healthcare Equity and Advocacy Leadership Award and the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year. She holds a master's degree in Public Health, specializing in Health Policy and Management.Sam McClure, the Executive Director of the Center for LGBTQ Health Equity at Chase Brexton Health Care, has dedicated their career to advancing the rights, well-being, and healthcare access for the LGBTQ community. They have spearheaded initiatives to increase cultural competency among healthcare providers, expand access to gender-affirming care, and address the unique healthcare needs of transgender and non-binary individuals.Their contributions have been widely recognized, earning them accolades such as the LGBTQ Health Advocate of the Year and the Community Champion Award. Sam holds a master's degree in Public Health, with a specialization in LGBTQ Health, and possesses extensive experience in LGBTQ health advocacy and program development.

In this episode of Room at the Table, Betsy is joined by Kelly Mitchell, CEO and founder of impactHR to candidly discuss the realities of burnout and stress in the entrepreneurial world. They delve into the unique dynamics of managing burnout as a business owner versus an employee, talk about the telltale signs of burnout and how it can impact leadership and decision-making abilities, and discuss the importance of effective stress management.Kelly Mitchell is the CEO and Founder of impactHR, a pioneering human resources consulting firm based in the heart of innovation. With a passion for transforming organizations through people-centric strategies, Kelly has made a significant impact in the field of HR and business management. Beyond her professional pursuits, Kelly is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, supporting causes that champion education, diversity, and community empowerment. She serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations and believes in using her success as a platform to create positive social change.Kelly holds a B.S. in Psychology from Towson State University and a M.S. in Human Resources Management from Widener University.

In this episode of Room at the Table, Betsy Cerulo discusses the complexities of grief with Jennifer Barchi, a Trauma Informed Executive and Leadership Coach. They open up about the different ways people experience grief and the best practices for leaders to create a workplace culture where people feel safe to grieve.Jennifer Barchi is a senior consultant with Design Group International. She's also an associate for church and leadership for the Presbytery of Baltimore, and a trauma informed executive and leadership coach for her practice, Artfully Caffeinated.Barchi graduated from Stanford University with her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Affairs.

In this first episode of Room at the Table, Betsy Cerulo is joined by Sandy Brown, AdNet’s Director of Human Resources, to discuss the power of a heart-centered workplace culture, how to deal with difficult conversations, and what advice they would give to their younger selves.Sandra, or Sandy, Brown is an experienced HR Director with a history in leadership development, training, human resources, and social work. She is currently the Director of Human Resources at AdNet/AccountNet Inc. Brown received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Oakwood University and her Master of Social Work from Andrews University.

We spend more than half of our lives at work, and professionals are looking for more than the hustle and grind. We want our work to be satisfying, to have a sense of shared purpose, and to rise above mediocrity. Room at the Table is a new podcast where we’re having conversations about creating equitable and inclusive workplaces where teams thrive. I’m Betsy Cerulo, and I’ll be your host as we navigate the difficult questions of how we make workplaces better. For the last several decades, I’ve dedicated my career to working with companies to appreciate how diversity leads to excellence. I’m a CEO, an activist, and the cofounder of the Maryland LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and Maryland LGBTQ Foundation, and I promise, there's more than enough Room At The Table.