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.
Celebrating and Elevating the Latina Community: Meet Lauren Sisneros, Executive Director of the Latinas First Foundation

What is your personal Story?

I was born and raised in the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, and have been in Denver for almost 20 years. I participated in Upward Bound, a federal TRIO program, during high school and credit that experience to helping me access college. I received my bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo and participated in Student Support Services, another federal TRIO program for college students that helped me complete my degree.
 
I had my first child in college and moved to Denver shortly after graduation. I began my career at the Colorado Legislative Council Staff, the non-partisan research staff of the General Assembly. There I learned about policy and government and gained skills that prepared me for other professional experiences. I felt strongly about having a position that allowed me to give back to students in the way that was given to me so I moved into a position at the Colorado Department of Higher Education as a Pre-Collegiate Advisor. In this position, I had the privilege to work with middle school and high school students helping them prepare for college. Later, I became a College Advisor and worked with low-income, first generation students as they navigated higher education.
 
I quickly learned that for me to advance in my career, I would need to further my education and so I obtained a master’s degree in education from Colorado State University Global. The ability to take classes online and collaborate virtually allowed me to continue my full-time employment and fulfill the most important role of my life, being a mother to my two children. After receiving my master’s degree, I worked as a Policy Analyst and later as a State Relations Manager for the Education Commission of the States, a national education policy organization. Later, I served as the Director of Programs at Prosperity Denver Fund where I was responsible for developing and implementing the Fund’s program services by working with scholarship organizations.
 
In January 2023, I became the Executive Director of the Latinas First Foundation. This is an incredible opportunity that aligns with my passion and belief in providing a critical network and support for Latinas to reach their highest potential. I am proud to join an organization that is committed to providing scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities, and honors Latina Trailblazers and Unsung Heroines. Latinas First Foundation celebrates and elevates the Latina community by focusing on the cultural and historical contributions of Latinas in Colorado. 

I am excited about this new opportunity and stage in my life. I am most proud of my family who has supported me through my journey. It is rewarding to see my children thrive in their educational journeys and my husband flourish in his career. My son is now a Senior in high school and my daughter is a Junior in college. I am also a new Grandmother and hope that my granddaughter will benefit from the paths that we have taken to better our lives. 
           
What does inclusive leadership mean to you?
 
Inclusive leadership is a mindset. It is leadership that values diversity because of the competitive advantages a diverse workforce brings.  This leadership focuses on new strategies and insights for building more diverse workforces and more equitable and inclusive workplace cultures. The outcome of embracing this type of leadership results in greater competitiveness, creativity, innovation, and success.
 
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have been led and mentored by many inclusive leaders. They understood biases, valued equity, and actively advocated for underrepresented groups to advance. They also initiated and championed systems that made changes to result in inclusiveness and equity. Many times, these amazing mentors saw something in me that I sometimes did not see in myself and I am forever grateful for that.
 
What are some goals for your career in the decades to come?
 
I hope to always be in positions that align with my passions and beliefs. I find work that benefits students directly is most rewarding. I feel strongly about opening doors for others and elevating underrepresented groups. I hope to help students access higher education and succeed.
 
How could GlobalMindED further support the efforts that you are a part of?

GlobalMindED mission to close the equity gap by connecting students to role models, mentors, and internships with inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them aligns with the mission of Latinas First Foundation. Latinas First Foundation scholars could benefit from GlobalMindED’s student programs. A continued partnership is valuable as Latinas First Foundation is committed to providing scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities, and honors Latina Trailblazers and Unsung Heroines.
Join us in Denver June 7-9 for GlobalMindED 2023
Early Bird Registration Open Now
Register here

To get a feel for the conference experience, please see this brief video by The PhD Project from the 2022 GlobalMindED Conference

  • GlobalMindED June 2022 DEI conference
  • Complete 2022 Program
  • Inclusive Leader Awards Program 2022
  • 800+ attendees
  • 140 students from 41 universities/colleges, 58 received scholarships
  • 300+ speakers from 65 universities/colleges and 47 businesses
  • 130 universities/colleges represented
  • Majority of panels featured at least one student
  • 74 % diverse speakers
Social Justice and Equity: A constant evolution but we still haven’t hit the mark!
Social Justice and Equity: A Constant Evolution but we Still Haven’t Hit the Mark!, a Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable presentation
Dr. Ryan Ross; Assoc. V. Chancellor Student Affairs, Equity, & Inclusion, Colorado Community College System
Reiland Rabaka; Founder and Director, Center for African and African American Studies, University of Colorado Boulder,
Lana Hailemariam; Chief Executive Officer, StandUP, LLC,
Emily Shamsid-Deen; Principal, ESD Consulting,
Dr. Roberto Montoya; Chief Educational Equity Officer, Colorado Department of Higher Education,
Keith Station; Deputy Chief of Staff—Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, City of Omaha Mayor’s Office
The GlobalMindED Inclusive Success NetworkTM had another banner year of growth, impact, and outcomes for First Generation, poverty-affected and minoritized students. Here are some of the highlights: 
 
  • Return of in-person GlobalMindED conference with record attendance and the largest First Gen Leadership Class ever of 122 student leaders. See PhD Project brief video of the event. 
  • Our fourth annual Inclusive Leader Awards recognized 15 DEIB leaders across sectors.
  • Almost all our 100+ panels and sessions of 2022 featured a student. 
  • Of the 300+ speakers, 73% were diverse leaders sharing their thoughts. 
  • We held our first Industry Marketplace Career Exploration Arena at GlobalMindED 2022 with 40 companies, giving K-12, college students, educators, and leaders a way to learn about emerging fields and careers. Join us for the next one at GlobalMindED 2023. 
  • Our first satellite event at Georgia Institute of Tech was livestreamed via the Atlanta PBS affiliate. 
  • We became an official initiative of the Foundation for the Support the United Nations (FSUN) and will hold our first UN event on March 22, 2023. 
  • ·We served ten colleges with the GlobalMindED Success Collaborative connecting students at each HBCU, MSI, HIS and Tribal College with role models, mentors, internships, and jobs. 
  • We had partners/volunteers from Microsoft, Salesforce, Rubrik, HP, Stanford MBA and more. 
  • We spoke at the White House Initiative for HBCUs with sponsor Hewlett Packard. 
  • Our team, Board, Colorado Board and Executive Leadership Council are all majority diverse serving a majority diverse population of emerging leaders. 
  • We continued to publish our daily newsletter and conduct monthly virtual Equity events, led by people of color with majority diverse panelists and students. These are the role models for our students.
  • Our annual operating budget increased by 67% emerging COVID strong. 
  • We doubled our staff from four to eight as we grow to scale our impact. 
  • Our Young Professionals grew to 40 strong, with a ten-person leadership cabinet made up of, but not limited to, graduates of our programs who are now working professionals.  
  • Since 2015, we have successfully connected 1,200+ students to internships and jobs. 
  • Our founder, Carol Carter, was recognized as one of the Most Powerful Women in Denver by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and one of the Most Admired CEOs by the Denver Business Journal. 
 
We are grateful for the support, inclusive leadership, and financial contributions of our community and sponsors who work tirelessly to open doors for the students we serve, the institutions who support them, and the businesses and non-profits who are committed to hiring a capable, diverse talent pipeline.  We look forward to seeing all of you June 7-9 at our best event yet, GlobalMindED 2023 - Transforming Boundaries: Creating Systemic Access and Equity. The Inclusive Leaders Awards Dinner is June 7, followed by the conference June 8- 9 at the Denver Downtown Sheraton.  
GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org
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