Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Cohort


An opportunity for executive leaders to advance their capacity to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and justice principles and practices into their everyday leadership.

October 2022 - June 2023

The guidance and support this cohort offered has only increased my awareness and dedication to the principals of DEIJ because it now feels more attainable. . . I now feel like this work can be done and have some skills and ability to make progress towards equity and inclusion.  ~2021/22 Cohort participant
The collective impact of this cohort, guided by the excellent team at Capacity Building Partnerships, has brought the power of humility, deep listening and courageous candor into focus as I engage in conversations on justice and leadership."  ​​~Jessica McDonald, The Confluence DEI Cohort, Executive Director Greenbelt Land Trust
The past 2+ years has been a monumental convergence of events that has challenged our communities and our leadership. The COVID-19 pandemic, the racial justice movement and movement for Black Lives, the climate crisis, and political polarization present evolving challenges and opportunities in our current world that leaders and organizations must face. When we come together from diverse experiences, we create and discover new approaches, mindsets, and skills to lead change in our communities.

Capacity Building Partnerships invites organizational and company leaders to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Cohort in 2022-2023. This nine-month, multi-faceted program is designed to meet participants where they are – from new awareness to deep lived experience – and advance leadership that is transformative of both individuals and organizations. 
By intentionally building a learning community, we seek to de-isolate and de-mystify leadership during times of intense turmoil and change.

​We focus on identifying outcomes and vision, building awareness and analysis, and developing leadership skills by using a range of learning approaches.

​The diversity of knowledge and experience of all participants will be leveraged while advancing people at all levels.

ADVANCE, DEEPEN, BUILD YOUR DEI LEADERSHIP

​The DEI Leadership Cohort is designed around Capacity Building Partnerships’ collective experience working with hundreds of leaders and entities to advance DEI leadership and capacity. Participants will engage in a comprehensive experience that will challenge their mindsets, advance their leadership, deepen their DEI analysis, and lead organizations and companies to implement and integrate DEI into the fabric of their organizations. 
THE COHORT IS INTENDED TO CREATE SPACE FOR THESE OUTCOMES:
  1. Increasing and strengthening our awareness and analysis related to culture, cultural identity, and the role culture plays in upholding systems of oppression. ​Building an understanding of how cultural bias is perpetuated to disadvantage and advantage people based on their social identity. Explore how to drive change through cultural shifts and transformation at the individual, group, and systemic levels.
  2. Develop and apply a privilege and power analysis that informs our behaviors, policies, practices, and relationships. Increase and strengthen intentional behavioral change and management to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  3. Build capacity to identify, manage, and mitigate biases in the workplace. Examine how bias plays out at the individual and inter-personal levels and advance our self-awareness and skills to mitigate and eliminate bias.
  4. Deepen awareness of historic and systemic forces of oppression, exclusion, and privilege; and how these forces are perpetuated in societal organizations, structures, and institutions.
  5. Build individual, group, and systemic capacity to hold complexity, step into the unknown, lead with curiosity, and build a foundation of trust. 
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
This Cohort is designed with executives and/or system-wide leaders in mind. This includes people who have been charged with leading DEI initiatives and efforts (“DEI Officers”). Our goal is to decrease isolation by connecting folks to people who might be facing similar leadership challenges associated with their roles in their organizations. We do expect that participants will have substantial decision-making authority around DEI in their organizations.

If you are unsure if your position qualifies, get in touch with us! We’d love to hear from you.
The small group learning, and individual coaching were incredibly helpful and supportive. The exchange of ideas and perspectives was very motivating.  ~2021/22 Cohort participant

PROGRAM ELEMENTS
What participants receive:
  • 33 hours of Workshops
  • 15 hours Peer Learning
  • 4+ hours one-on-one DEI leadership coaching
  • 1 DEI Training and Reference Booklet (over 300-pages of handouts and resources)

Anticipated commitment beyond scheduled sessions:
  • Assignment/reading commitment: two hours per training session, approx. eight hours total
  • I feel like I finally found practical and applicable support that aligns with my values and pertains to the work I do." ~2021-22 Cohort Participant
All sessions will be held via Zoom. We use breakout rooms, full group discussions, and interactive tools to improve the online experience and keep engagement high. 
Cohort Workshops
Five full-day workshops, six hours each (includes breaks), Thursdays 9-3 pm and one closing half-day workshop.
Peer Learning Sessions
​Five sessions, three hours each, Tuesdays 9-12 pm
One-on-One Leadership Coaching 
​Five sessions, 50 minutes each, scheduled with your coach
DEI Resource Handbook and Online Portal
​Hardcopy of a 300+ page Handbook of resources and tools, and an online portal with additional resources
I really appreciate the DEI framework we were working with, and I will continue to draw on the Handbook as a resource for ongoing work with my organization." 2021-22 Cohort Participant
Additional Opportunities
In addition to the elements and resources listed above, we will facilitate participant connections and learning partnerships where there is interest. These opportunities will be optional and designed with the participants in mind.
​5511 S Hood Avenue
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 470-1669