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.
Top Left: Mary Descheeny-Reyna

Top Right: Business logo for the Indigenous Workplace Solutions, LLC. This logo was designed with the collaborative family efforts of Katie, Kyle and Steve Reyna (members of Navajo/Dine Nation and the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe). The design highlights respect, honor, unity, and community. 

Bottom: Canyon De Chelly in Mary's hometown of Chinle, Arizona - Navajo Nation
Navajo Code Talkers, AIM Activists, Army Ranger & Green Beret: Meet Mary Descheeny-Reyna's Resilient Familial Roots


I am Tsé Nahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People); Ma’ii Deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass), Bįįh Bitoodnii (Deer Spring) and Honágháahnii (One Walks Around). I am a strong, resilient Navajo (Dine) woman; sister to an Army Ranger, a daughter to a Special Forces Green Beret, granddaughter to a Navajo Code Talker and niece to American Indian Movement (AIM) activists. I am a descendant of the Long Walk. I am a wife, a mother/stepmother, and an indigenous sister to many. I am a social worker; therefore, I am a voice and advocate for those who cannot speak/act for themselves.

I am one who honors the strength, beauty and power of our Mother Earth and all her beauty, our traditional sacraments, our cultures, stories, songs, dances, languages, prayers, and creation stories. I am imperfect, but I am always willing to learn, offer my heart, a hug, a smile and encouraging words. I am an admirer and encourager of our Indigenous RESILIENCE.

What key moments defined you as a leader?

As a Social Worker, I certainly try my best to be an advocate for the vulnerable, the wronged, the less privileged and those who are defenseless. I aim to be a leader who will stand up, who will say something, and who will act. In the past, these moments have caused challenges for me, but I do not forget to self-assess my actions. Thankfully, it is not often that I regret past actions. For those moments when I was in error, I do expect to learn from my mistakes and I am eager to ask, “what could I have done better?”, “what did I miss?”, “what could I have done differently?”.

I feel I am a leader for standing for what I believe in and not forgetting who I am or where I come from, but also knowing I am only human. I am also a leader for wanting to hear my errors through constructive criticism because it is this feedback that will make me wiser.

What community-driven projects have you spearheaded/participated in that you are proud of? What did you take away from these experiences?

The concept behind starting my own business is what I am proud of. Yes, saying I have my own business Indigenous Workplace Solutions, LLC is exciting, but what is most meaningful to me is its purpose. The purpose of helping employees of Indigenous organizations/Native communities is rooted in the fact that in Native communities, “everyone knows everyone”. This means employees may feel distrust due to fear of retaliation; feeling there is no confidentiality, feelings of frustration because nothing will change, or that no one will be held accountable or that no one will listen to them. This is important to me because we spend our days at work to support ourselves and our families, to learn new skills with the hopes of advancements, promotions & higher pay to care for our families.

As an indigenous person, I embrace the cultural differences and aim to establish trustworthy and fair connections with those I interact with. It is my hope that finding resolution and obtaining clarity to the work situation at hand will attract, retain, and mentor our Indigenous employees for eventual leadership positions. What I have taken away from this is that no matter the level of leadership (supervisor, manager, Director) it does not make one without error nor does it mean they know everything – rather the practice of appreciating that we are constant learners who continue to be taught by mistakes, actions, inactions and by one another can be a humbling experience.

How do you connect with your ancestral roots professionally and personally?

Our ancestors lived, fought, endured, survived, and acted upon challenges they had, and it is that blood that runs through our very being with that strength of resilience. This thought can both humble me and help me to stand at my strongest. Also, the belief that my journey has purpose and our paths cross for a reason. It is often that I will ask myself, “what I am to learn from this situation? (positive & negative)”, “what am I to learn from this person?” (positive & negative). These inquires and thoughts to myself create a circular thought process of questioning, understanding/ processing, and to act to the best of my ability with integrity and goodness – and to share in this goodness as our ancestors did in caring for one another and in understanding situations.

As a leader, what motivates you to move forward in adversity? Where do you find your passion?

The beautiful thought of my grandmothers – their kindness, their ever-giving hearts, and love of family and faith. With their guidance and role modeling I know I can endure what’s before me with an open heart – to understand, to empathize, to listen and to communicate with honesty, genuineness, and kindness. I understand what is before me is presented by our Creator, for which I am meant to learn from – the realization of this is humbling, as the challenges are given from a place of lessons to be learned and to eventually be taught. The moments I struggle the most appear to be the moments, I feel it most – to feel the strength of those before me, as such I find that I stand stronger and have become more resilient through the years. I find what means most to me is being able to empower others, to celebrate them and their accomplishments. I know life can be hard but I don’t want others to lose hope. It is so important that we celebrate one another as Indigenous people as our strength and prayer is powerful, so we need to share this.

The more we can teach – the more we can all learn - the more we can all accomplish and see the possibilities of our greatness! On behalf of my loving family who made me who I am – my husband, kids, siblings, my elders, my ancestors – I thank you – Ahe’hee’.
Highlights from the Resolve to Solve in Atlanta below. You can watch a YouTube video of the entire day,thanks to WABE/PBS Atlanta.
Rose Scott with Dr. Glenda Glover, Dr. David Thomas, and Dr. M. Brian Blake
Michael Render, AKA "Killer Mike"
Challenges & Opportunities for Minority-Owned Business
Wednesday, Nov. 9th 2:00PM ET
  • Moderated by Carol Carter, President & CEO, GlobalMindED with:
  • Chuck Debow, CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce
  • Pat Fong Kushida, President & CEO, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce
  • Peter Guzman, President,Latin Chamber of Commerce, Nevada
SAVE the DATE 2023: June 7 Inclusive Leader Awards Dinner
First Gen Leadership Program
June 8, 9 GlobalMindED Conference
2023 Denver, Colorado

CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS OPEN
June 2022 Conference Summary in Photos and Videos
We had an inspiring conference in June after two years of virtual gatherings due to COVID. If you missed that, you can still be a part of the experience through the photos from the 2022 GlobalMindED conference, as well as seeing the complete program for connections and inspiration.



Video remarks:
Honoring the 2022 Inclusive Leader Award Winners. Please see their stories:
GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org
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