From Acronyms to Action: Leading and Thriving Through DEI Challenges with Michelle Silverthorn

Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

We’re living in a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are under fire—from boycott threats against inclusive brands to coordinated campaigns aimed at dismantling DEI in government, corporate, and educational spaces. As organizations face pressure to retreat, some are rolling back the very initiatives designed to create belonging and equity at work.

But retreat isn’t an option for those of us committed to inclusion, belonging, and values-based leadership.

With April being Celebrate Diversity Month, this felt like the right time to talk about what’s happening, and what we can do to keep creating supportive, thriving environments despite the pushback. This moment calls for clarity, courage, and leadership rooted in values—not just acronyms. So I’ve invited my friend, fellow speaker, and inclusion expert Michelle Silverthorn for a conversation that’s both timely and necessary. She shares insight into the work she does and how she empowers employees and leaders to build inclusive cultures where people can truly thrive.

In this episode of Branding Room Only, Michelle and I explore the role of belonging in workplace culture, today and in the future. We dig into what’s really driving the backlash to DEI, why inclusion still matters, how to navigate the challenges inside your organization, and what it looks like to show up authentically in a world that often discourages it.

2:09 – Michelle’s definition of personal branding, how she describes herself in three phrases, plus her favorite quote and hype songs

7:40 – Her upbringing, education, and the core belief at 17 that shaped her deep connection to hope

12:15 – The legal industry experiences that sparked her focus on inclusion and led to launching her company

17:11 – What can happen when people can’t be authentic at work—and why authenticity is key to thriving

26:48 – The internal and external barriers to belonging and authenticity in the workplace

29:00 – The current state of DEI and how to navigate today’s shifting landscape

35:45 – What to do if your company is rolling back DEI, but you’re still committed to the work

38:24 – The authentic business case for DEI and the opportunity to show leadership right now

45:07 – How Michelle sees the future of workplace culture, and the role of affinity groups in creating belonging

50:27 – What Michelle does for fun, why she’ll never compromise on civility, and the power of storytelling in her brand

Mentioned In From Acronyms to Action: Leading and Thriving Through DEI Challenges with Michelle Silverthorn

Inclusion Nation

“We Are Not a Melting Pot” | TEDx Talk

We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging by Ritu Bhasin

Sponsor for this episode

PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.

To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at [email protected], and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

Chapters

1. From Acronyms to Action: Leading and Thriving Through DEI Challenges with Michelle Silverthorn (00:00:00)

2. Michelle’s definition of personal branding, how she describes herself in three phrases, plus her favorite quote and hype songs (00:02:09)

3. Her upbringing, education, and the core belief at 17 that shaped her deep connection to hope (00:07:40)

4. The legal industry experiences that sparked her focus on inclusion and led to launching her company (00:12:15)

5. What can happen when people can’t be authentic at work—and why authenticity is key to thriving (00:17:11)

6. The internal and external barriers to belonging and authenticity in the workplace (00:26:48)

7. The current state of DEI and how to navigate today’s shifting landscape (00:29:00)

8. What to do if your company is rolling back DEI, but you’re still committed to the work (00:35:45)

9. The authentic business case for DEI and the opportunity to show leadership right now (00:38:24)

10. How Michelle sees the future of workplace culture, and the role of affinity groups in creating belonging (00:45:07)

11. What Michelle does for fun, why she’ll never compromise on civility, and the power of storytelling in her brand (00:50:27)