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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Lawyer of Cheyenne Descent Uses Power of the Elders in Modern Times: Meet Sheldon Spotted Elk, Director of Tribal Justice Relations at the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Sheldon is Senior Director of Judicial and National Engagement of Casey Family Programs. Sheldon is also a graduate of University of New Mexico School of Law. He and his two sons are Tsistsas (Northern Cheyenne).
Sheldon Spotted Elk is an agent of change, improving legal outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare system. He works regularly as a strategic partner with 20+ Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Courts.
He currently serves as a judge for a tribal court of appeals. He has taught adjunct courses and provided many lectures at law schools throughout the country. Sheldon has provided technical assistance to Tribal Courts towards improving their child dependency approaches. He has authored articles on tribal law and the ICWA.
What would you like us to know about your personal/professional journey?
I was fortunate to be raised as one of 6 children of Navitt and Maxcene Spotted Elk with connection and support to have dreams, set goals, and receive affirmation. I have incredible relatives that are inspiring people that show up and show out with love in so many ways. To be surrounded by that type of support was significant for me in my personal and professional journey.
I grew up and was influenced in a place that had many lawsuits connected to Indians having access to education, natural resources, voting, and protections from being objectified. It was influential upon me to see the law as a lever for change and impact.
Also I learned many early life lessons through competing and playing basketball. It was a motivating factor in learning to set goals and the efficacy to plan to meet those goals. I played college athletics and was only a mediocre/below mediocre student. Athletics taught me that practice and preparation for the game was the same as studying and preparation for the classroom.
Because of learning to be a better student I was able to study at one of the best Indian Law programs in the country, University of New Mexico School of Law. I had great mentorship from professors that considered Tribal communities, culture, and sovereignty and so much of that foundation supports me in how I do work today with the Indian Child Welfare Act and working for improved outcomes for Indian families and communities.
How do you connect with your ancestral roots?
Cheyenne people are named after ancestors. My Cheyenne name was given to me by my Grandfather when I was an infant and my other Cheyenne name is from my Great-Great Grandfather. And surname, Spotted Elk, is after my Great Grandfather.
I grew up in a house with a first language speaker - Cheyenne. My Dad lived our cultural values and I got to observe as a child that Cheyenne culture and values are alive and well right at my dinner table every night. Of course, I didn't fully appreciate this at the time but this was significant for me to see Cheyenne people and Indigenous people as living culture, as opposed to what schools or popular culture were trying to teach about us as if we were all dead and in the convenient romantic past.
As a leader what motivates you during times of adversity?
Hope. Hope for change. Hope for improved outcomes for Indian people and communities. So much of the history of all Indigenous peoples with colonizers is violence and dispossession. These are hard truths that must be looked at for society to reconcile.
Love. Love for people. Love for connection.
Art. Artist that can story tell, paint pictures, and boldly create Indigenous futurities.
I need hope, love, and art during difficult times.
Where do you find community?
I currently live in a multicultural urban community and I gain a lot from different cultures and perspectives in my community. I get to work with a community of inspiring people. But above this, I have community with my family.
What advice do you have for others who want to break through barriers?
Always try your best to authentic and sincere. There are different types of barriers that we all face but I believe being a healthy relative for family and community might be the most impactful thing we can ever accomplish.
How can GlobalMindED advance your goals as an inclusive leader?
Education is always a great initial step. Also building more bridges into communities for connection and access.
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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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