Bridging the Gap: Understanding Intent Versus Impact in DEI Work

Ashley M. Hines is an advocate, strategist, and entrepreneur dedicated to equipping communities to advance equity and create spaces where everyone is safe, valued and respected. She currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Advocate Aurora Healthcare, a top 12 U.S. not-for-profit health system. In her role, Ashley focuses on partnering with leaders as a strategic advisor to achieve system-wide goals and launching, scaling, and sustaining DE&I programs and initiatives. Ashley also dedicates her time to causes with emphasis on communities of color, youth, and health equity. She envisions a community where everyone is empowered and has the tools needed to fulfill their purpose.

In this episode, Ashley and Deanna talk about just how crucial it is for organizations to understand the why behind diversity, equity, and inclusion work and the importance of embedding this work organization-wide rather than limiting the work to one person or one department. Ashley is passionate about feedback and looking at the gap between intent versus impact, and how organizations can close that gap. As a recent attendee of Uplifting Impact's How to Be an Ally Summit, Ashley also shares a debrief about the event and the impact it had on her and her team as well. To connect with Ashley, you can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-hines-7810a67b

Topics In This Episode

Critical questions DEI leaders should be asking themselves and their organizations
Supporting and investing in leadership
Different areas within an organization that may be overlooked when it comes to DEI strategy and implementation
Ways organizations can invest in DEI without spending resource dollars
Acknowledging resistance and examining it
The role that foundational trainings have in an organization in order to set the tone and provide shared language.