Episode Details

In this powerful episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis sit down with Lisette Martinez Peacock, Chief EDIB Officer at the National Audubon Society, to explore leadership, belonging, cultural awareness, and the future of inclusion work in today’s rapidly changing world.

Lisette shares her personal journey growing up Puerto Rican in Detroit, the childhood experience that shaped her passion for inclusion, and the lessons she learned evolving from early DEI work into a more strategic, human-centered approach to leadership.

Together, they discuss:
• Why inclusion is about helping people feel they belong
• The importance of slowing down to truly connect
• How “Spa Moments” can transform relationships and workplaces
• The future of DEI and why the mission still matters
• Leadership, empathy, accountability, and cultural competency
• Why organizations must align values with behavior

This episode is filled with wisdom, practical insight, and deeply human conversation about how we create stronger communities and workplaces through understanding and connection.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Diversity Conversations
04:52 Camp Joy, Leadership & Choosing Better Habits
15:18 “Where Do I Sit?” — Lisette’s Childhood Story on Inclusion
24:40 From Diversity Policing to Human Connection
34:15 Is DEI Disappearing? The Future of Inclusion Work
45:08 Stop Expecting to See Yourself in Others
54:20 The Power of “Spa Moments” in Leadership & Relationships
1:03:12 Values, Accountability & Final Reflections

To know more about Lisette’s work → salinasconsultants.com
To connect with Lisette → linkedin.com/in/lisettemartinez

Diversity Conversations, Lisette Martinez peacock, leadership, diversity equity inclusion, belonging, cultural competency, workplace culture, human connection, leadership development, inclusive leadership, DEI podcast, empathy in leadership, spa moments, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion, workplace belonging, values based leadership, diversity podcast, Tommie Lewis, Eric Ellis

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