Melinda White often referred to as Mimi, serves as a Human Resources Consultant for Montgomery County, Environmental Services located in Dayton, Ohio. In her current role, she holds the responsibility for various training, organizational development, community collaboration, and human resources functions.
As an active community member in Dayton, She is a member of the advisory board for Engineering Technology at Sinclair Community College, serves as an executive board member of the National Conference for Community & Justice of Greater Dayton (NCCJ). She has served as an active member and contributor of the Ohio Diversity Council and National Diversity Council since 2008. She is skilled and passionate about bringing people of different backgrounds together to create and achieve shared goals.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Management/Project Management from Antioch University McGregor, a Master’s degree in Management and Leading Change (HR) (MLCHR) from Antioch University Midwest, and a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP).
Top Takeaways
Shownotes:
[4:43] So Mimi, did you choose water or did water choose you?
[5:44] When you presented at UMC we heard a lot about workforce. You came from outside of water so where did you start in developing your talent pipeline?
[7:15]I know each one of my employee’s names. I stand outside my door and wave and tell them how much I appreciate them. They could choose to be anywhere, but they chose here. We are a family.
[9:10]Our boots are dirty and we can step on your carpet – but that’s why we have vacuums.
[9:35]You are working with students to come and join the water sector. Can you tell us a little more?
[12:21]If you build it they will come – not true unless they know you built it! Mimi went out and marketed these programs to students. She brought field staff and vehicles to gain interest and brought the students on tours.
[15:30]High school students next step is to gain independence. How do we leverage this to make an impact on high school students?
[18:18]Getting people in the door is an important part but so is nurturing them. How are you handling professional development?
[22:28]Mimi is a Master Trainer in Crucial Conversations.
[25:24]Frustration of being an internal applicant. Invest in your internal employees to retain them. It’s not about money, it’s about time. When it comes to this investment.
[26:31]Tell us about some of the positive outcomes of your program?
[29:36]What are some ideas for getting to know 300+ people in your organization?
[33:24]Why is diversity and inclusion so important for workforce issues?
[36:45]How do you level the playing field by setting the tone for diversity and inclusion?
[41:29]What is the salad bowl theory?
[44:02]Human beings are hardwired to be biased. That’s okay as long as you know why you have that bias and what you do with it.
[47:15]What can we learn from Disney about diversity especially Belle and Happy Feet?
[52:03]It’s not about accepting, it’s about respecting.
[56:50]The Lightning Round
Resources:
StrengthsFinders – Tom Rath
Discover Your True North – Bill George
Crucial Conversations – Kerry Patterson
Be More Strategic in Business – Diana Thomas
Sponsor:
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