Have you considered the benefits of being vegan? Are you attending in-person hiring events? What is your role in helping with your community’s food insecurity? What role do video games and hunting have on a child’s relationship with violence?

These are just a few of the questions we ask during this episode of Native Digital + Native Analog. This conversation explores many directions, as my guest, Tina Weaver, and I navigate her journey.

Tina was the former executive director of the YMCA in Kansas City, and now owns Vespa Equity, where she trains organizations in LGBTQ Language, DEI, and engaging with marginalized communities. I wanted to bring her on the show for multiple reasons – one is because I wanted a nonprofit executive’s perspective on the shift from analog to digital worlds, and to see how this organization embraces young perspectives. Secondly, it’s because (as I discovered through this conversation) Tina and I come from incredibly different backgrounds (and even though we don’t dissect this much on the show), have very differing viewpoints.

As you’ll see through this conversation, despite our differences, Tina and I learn from each other’s perspectives.

Here are a few ways Tina and I are vastly different.

• Tina was a multi-sport athlete. Simply put, I am not. Invite me to a game of soccer for a laugh 😊

• Tina is vegan as a point of principle. I eat meat and enjoy hunting as a principle for conservation.

• Our views on marriage differ and our perspectives are different on how to raise children.

• Our approaches on how to solve the problem of violence in adolescents differ.

But despite the differences, here are just a few of the areas we found we agree on:

• Our world would be a better place if we supported and affirmed people’s differences.

• Youth empowerment is important to organizational success.

• Conservation and respect for the earth is incredibly important to create a better world for all living beings.

Tina Weaver on Youth Leadership

“One of our employees began as an intern and became a board member at 19. She led a fireside chat with the community at one point. The nuggets of wisdom that the audience walked away with from a 19-year-old – give credit where credit is due – was phenomenal. There’s really not a mistake you can make by including young perspectives in your decision-making.”

– Tina Weaver

At the Kansas City YMCA, Tina’s team let a variety of programs, including working with school systems and intern programs. At one point, they identified that 21% of their members were food insecure, and Tina’s 19-year-old intern led an initiative to become their own food supplier by starting a small farm.

Tina offers the perspective that if you allow youth to have this sort of decision-making ability and influence, they will do amazing things within your organization.

Tina on Connectedness

“Our connections are incredibly vibrant. I believe we know each other much deeper than we’re willing to allow each other to get to know.”

– Tina Weaver

I believe there are valuable lessons we can learn from having a close relationship with our environment. Tina’s work focuses on operationalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion for human, animal, and earth, and there is much to learn from her and this holistic perspective.

Connect with Tina!

Tina is an experienced and passionate executive driven by cause-driven results. She offers an entrepreneurial spirit through innovation, inclusion, management and staff development with a strong ability in programming and cultivating key partnerships for strategic development and growth. She has a diverse portfolio of skill sets that include strategic planning, operational effectiveness, strategic alliances, shared services and advocacy. Tina puts into practice the operation of diversity and inclusion efforts to build a more equitable work environment.

www.vespaequity.com

Tina@VespaEquity.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-weaver-mba-7ba48763/