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.
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Creating the Next Generation of Indigenous Leaders: Meet First Gen Graduate Taylor Lucero
What is your personal/professional story?
Guu’waa’dzi Ho’pah (Greetings)
My name is Taylor Lucero, and I am from the traditional homelands of Ka’waika Haa’nu (Laguna Pueblo), located in what is now New Mexico. I am an alumna of the University of Denver (DU), Class of 2022. As a first-generation scholar, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology with a minor in Critical Race & Ethnic Studies. Post graduation, I began my professional journey at the American Indian College Fund as the first Post-Baccalaureate Fellow for the Research and Evaluation team. This position is a two-year fellowship in developing skills and knowledge surrounding Indigenous research methods, data visualization, analysis, and evaluation of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the U.S.
Along with my current job, I also serve as a member of the New Mexico Indigenous Youth Council, which serves as a collective of other Native and Indigenous high school and college students working to engage and build initiatives regarding current movements and issues in Indian country such as the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives epidemic, climate change, language revitalization, and activism/advocacy within our communities.
I’ve also interned with College Horizons, a Native non-profit organization based in New Mexico that supports Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian students at the undergraduate and graduate levels in higher education. In other words, through workshops, scholarships, and college bridge initiatives, it is vital to ensure that scholars have a smooth transition in their educational journey.
How do you connect with your ancestral roots?
Growing up on the reservation, I was heavily involved in our traditional ceremonies and dances, as well as learning the Keres language. Moving away from home has been challenging, but I am taking small steps to remain connected. With every chance I get, I make the drive home to watch or participate in our annual dances. My community is taking steps to provide resources and opportunities for individuals like me to access language teachings and traditional workshops and to be in the community through our feasts. I am learning to embrace my identity as a Pueblo woman through the jewelry I wear or the traditional clothing that empowers me.
Where do you find community?
Community can be defined differently depending on who I surround myself with and the places I’ve visited. One of those communities is home, in Laguna Pueblo. I am surrounded by resiliency and strength from my family to keep on going in my personal and educational journey. I want to acknowledge the DU Native Student Alliance and Indigenous Alumni Affinity groups as pillars and the inspiration behind my work in Indian country. I am thankful for the relationships and connections with students, staff, and faculty that shaped me as an Individual and a fierce woman leader. It is not easy to attend predominantly white institutions, but we created a home away from home and became family to one another. Community is was brought us together.
As a leader, what motivates you during times of adversity?
The younger generation. As a working professional, I find myself having full-circle moments with the many organizations with which I’ve collaborated. I enjoy hearing and seeing the success stories of other scholars as I have been through this journey as well. Now, I am witnessing other scholars going through the same processes, and it makes me hopeful for the future, knowing that these scholars will continue to enter and be successful in these spaces that historically weren’t always meant for us.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
At the University of Denver, I became involved with the Native Student Alliance (NSA). I served as the secretary, social media coordinator, and co-chair president. Having worked with 30+ Native/Indigenous students consistently, along with supporting them personally and professionally, it was about creating the next generation of leaders. We aimed to create safe spaces on campus to express our identity as Native and Indigenous people and educate the DU (non-Native) community about the histories and injustices the university holds. In my junior year, I was selected as a member of the Native and Indigenous Leadership Council, created as a support system for the Native community at an institutional level to ensure our voices were heard and to develop initiatives that would benefit students, staff, and faculty.
Through the various challenges at DU, my cohort of classmates and the entire NSA community got through it together. We celebrated the small wins. Many students became motivated to carry on the good fight and become leaders. Since then, I’ve been inspired to continue advocating for the Native voice, ensuring students have a positive educational experience, and supporting Native/Indigenous educators actively working to decolonize higher education.
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Highlights from the 2023 GlobalMindED Annual Conference this past June:
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PBS12 Denver filmed and live-streamed the 2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Awards on June 7th as well as our main stage plenaries and presentations on June 8th. You can find them all individually on the GlobalMindED YouTube channel.
2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winners' introductions and acceptance remarks:
Miriam Calderon, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE: Inclusive Leader - Early Childhood Education
Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Inclusive Leader - K-12 Education
Carrie Billy, CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Inclusive Leader - Higher Education
Afua Bruce, Founder & Principal, ANB Advisory Group: Inclusive Leader - Government
Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association: Inclusive Leader - Health & Wellness
Hassan Salem, Head of Commercial Banking, US Bank: Inclusive Leader - Banking & Finance
Greg Robinson, James Webb Space Telescope Project Director NASA (ret): Inclusive Leader - Space & Aerospace
Mary Nichols, Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment, Inclusive Leader - Energy & Sustainability
Michael Campbell, General Manager, Education Division, Intel: Inclusive Leader - Technology
Diego Mariscal, CEO & Chief Disabled Person, 2Gether-International: Inclusive Leader - Entrepreneurship
Mario Carrera, President & CEO, CLLARO: Inclusive Leader - Media & Arts
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman, Ibn Sina Foundation: Inclusive Leader - Foundations & Funders
Rosanna Durruthy, VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, LinkedIn: Inclusive Leader -Global Impact
Kimberly Bryant, Founder & CEO, Black Innovation Lab; Black Girls Code: Inclusive Leader - Non-Profit
Click below to see Insights from GlobalMindED Leaders:
View the Main-stage Presentations:
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View the Sessions from our United Nations Event: Transforming Financial Boundaries |
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Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley and James Rhee, Founder/Owner, red helicopter
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Michael Maquet-Diafouka, Managing Director, Global Family and Institutional Wealth, UBS, Chris Marsh, Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, UBS,Janet C. Salazar, Chairman & President, Foundation for the Support of the United Nations
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Tyler Naha, Student, Denver East High School, Dr. Mary Papazian, Exec. VP, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Dr. Philomenta Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University, Dr. Yustina Saleh, Managing Director, Innovation Solutions, The Burning Glass Institute, Alfonzo Alexander, Chief Ethics & Diversity Officer, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
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Dr. D'Andre Weaver, Chief Digital Equity Officer, Digital Promise, Michael Woods, President, Woods Capital, the Honorable Dr. Kimberly McClain, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department HUD, Preston James, II, Co-Founder and CEO, Divinc, Gaby Rowe, Founding Principal, Grow Associates
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Dr. Craig Jonas, Founder and CEO, CoPeace, Victoria Vasques, Owner & Chairwoman, Tribal Tech LLC, Sachin Chaudhry, Founder and CEO, TrustCircle and BringChange Foundation, Kyle Hybl, President & CEO, El Pomar Foundation, Beth Cobert, Acting President, Markle Foundation
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Dr. Denise Lujan, Director, Entering Student Experience, University of Texas at El Paso, Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University, Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Gina Fratarcangeli, Managing Director, Google, Shital C. Shah, Sr. Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education
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Sam Lalanne, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion |
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Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).
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Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Speakers, Students, and Attendees at GlobalMindED 2023
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