Michele Heyward is the Founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and underrepresented women in STEM professions. In this episode, KJ and Michele discuss the challenges faced by women of color in STEM fields, the need for structural changes in workplace culture, and the economic impact of failing to embrace DE&I. The conversation also covers the practical aspects of community engagement, addressing workforce shortages, and the significance of inclusive infrastructure initiatives.



Key Takeaways:

03:17 Michele's Journey into Civil Engineering

07:02 Challenges Faced by Women of Color in STEM

09:39 The Impact of Diversity on Engineering and Society

19:09 Community Engagement and Its Importance

24:15 Understanding Workforce Turnover

26:44 The Glass Cliff Phenomenon

30:06 Impact of Employee Attrition

43:51 Mid-Market Companies and Talent Retention



Quote of the Show (18:00):

"DEI is not going away. Some people may change the terminology, but if we do not grasp diversity, equity, inclusion in the workplace, we're in for a world of hurt around our infrastructure." - Michele Heyward



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Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval



Ways to connect with Michele Heyward:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleCHeyward

Company Website: https://positivehire.co/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positivehireco/



How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

Michele Heyward is the Founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and underrepresented women in STEM professions. In this episode, KJ and Michele discuss the challenges faced by women of color in STEM fields, the need for structural changes in workplace culture, and the economic impact of failing to embrace DE&amp;I. The conversation also covers the practical aspects of community engagement, addressing workforce shortages, and the significance of inclusive infrastructure initiatives.
 
Key Takeaways:
03:17 Michele's Journey into Civil Engineering
07:02 Challenges Faced by Women of Color in STEM
09:39 The Impact of Diversity on Engineering and Society
19:09 Community Engagement and Its Importance
24:15 Understanding Workforce Turnover
26:44 The Glass Cliff Phenomenon
30:06 Impact of Employee Attrition
43:51 Mid-Market Companies and Talent Retention
 
Quote of the Show (18:00):
"DEI is not going away. Some people may change the terminology, but if we do not grasp diversity, equity, inclusion in the workplace, we're in for a world of hurt around our infrastructure." - Michele Heyward
 
Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.
 
Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: <a href="https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval">https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval</a>
 
Ways to connect with Michele Heyward:
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward">https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/MicheleCHeyward">https://twitter.com/MicheleCHeyward</a>
Company Website: <a href="https://positivehire.co/">https://positivehire.co/</a> 
Company LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/positivehireco/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/positivehireco/</a> 
 
How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 
Amazon Music - <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption">https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption</a>
Apple Podcast - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755</a>
Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD">https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD</a>

When did you say ”THAT’S IT! I’VE HAD IT!”? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo. Every week KJ interviews professionals who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have been antiquated with bull-headed predecessors holding up the progress.

KJ delves into uncovering more from industry rebels and innovators that you didn’t know you needed in your life.

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