Become a Certified Change Agent in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
What’s on this page…
- What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)?
- Why is DEI important for a business?
- What is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Change Agent?
- Why should I become a DEI Corporate Change Agent?
- How do I become a Certified Change Agent in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)?
- View Certification Program Options
- Start Your Program Application
What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a concept that refers to promoting a workplace culture where people of different races, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, and other backgrounds are valued and respected. It is a proactive approach that aims to create a culture of inclusivity, belonging, and equal opportunities for everyone.
Why is DEI important for a business?
Focusing on DEI is important for a company because it leads to a range of benefits:
- Helps attract and retain a diverse pool of talent, which brings different perspectives and experiences to the table.
- Promotes innovation and creativity by allowing for a variety of ideas and solutions.
- Helps to build stronger relationships with customers and clients who appreciate diverse representation.
- Leads to a more socially responsible and ethical company culture that can have a positive impact on society
What is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Change Agent?
A Change Agent focused on DEI is someone who works within an organization to help promote and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. They are responsible for identifying opportunities for improvement, creating plans and strategies to increase DEI awareness, and working with leaders to ensure that DEI is prioritized in all aspects of the organization. They may also provide training and coaching to employees to help them understand the importance of DEI and how they can contribute to a more inclusive workplace.
Why should I become a DEI Corporate Change Agent?
If you’re passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and want to make a difference in your workplace, becoming a certified change agent in DEI could be the right path for you. Here are five reasons why you should consider this:
- Gain a deeper understanding of DEI principles and best practices
- Develop strategies and solutions to address DEI challenges in your workplace
- Become a thought leader and advocate for DEI initiatives in your organization
- Help foster a more inclusive and welcoming workplace culture
- Advance your career and become a more valuable asset to any company committed to DEI
How do I become a Certified Change Agent in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)?
To become a certified change agent focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion through the Council for Corporate Transformation, individuals can follow a simple three-step process.
Step 1. Select Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as your area of focus.
Step 2. Choose your certification program option. Choose from either the 12-week general certification program, which is self-guided, or the 24-week Advanced Certification program, which includes more in-depth content and personalized coaching sessions.
Step 3. Submit your program application, which includes indicating your desire and goals for wanting to be trained in this area, as well as an interview with a program manager to ensure student and program fit. Application fees are waived for members of the Council for Corporate Transformation.
By completing this program, individuals can gain the knowledge and skills needed to become effective change agents in their organizations, driving transformative change and making a positive impact on the company and overall performance.
View Certification Program Options
Advanced Certification Program
General Certification Program
The 12-week leadership training program on being a change agent in a corporation focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion aims to equip participants with foundational knowledge and skills to promote a more inclusive workplace. The program covers the basics of diversity, equity, and inclusion, assessing organizational diversity, developing a vision and plan for change, implementing change, and measuring success. Participants will learn how to identify potential barriers and opportunities for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization, and develop strategies to sustain change.
Weeks 1-2: Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Introduction to key terms and concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Understanding the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Overview of legal and compliance considerations related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Weeks 3-4: Assessing Organizational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Tools and techniques for assessing organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Developing a plan to gather data on diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Identifying potential barriers and opportunities for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
Weeks 5-6: Developing a Vision and Plan for Change
- Developing a clear and compelling vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Creating a strategic plan for implementing change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Identifying key stakeholders and building a coalition to support change efforts
Weeks 7-9: Implementing Change and Overcoming Resistance
- Strategies for implementing change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Overcoming resistance to change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Communicating effectively with stakeholders about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
Weeks 10-12: Sustaining Change and Measuring Success
- Developing strategies to sustain change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Measuring the success of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
- Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Online Community:
- Participants will have access to an online community where they can connect with other program participants, share resources, and collaborate on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Advanced Certification Program
The 6-month leadership training program on being a change agent in a corporation focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote a more inclusive workplace. The program covers the foundations of diversity, equity, and inclusion, assessing organizational diversity, developing a vision and plan for change, implementing and sustaining change, inclusive leadership, intersectionality and allyship, employee resource groups, inclusive talent management, and inclusive communication. Participants will receive coaching and have access to an online community to support their personal development and progress in implementing change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization. The final project will allow participants to propose changes to their organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and present them to a panel of experts in the field.
Weeks 1-2: Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Introduction to key terms and concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Understanding the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Overview of legal and compliance considerations related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Weeks 3-4: Assessing Organizational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Tools and techniques for assessing organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Developing a plan to gather data on diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Identifying potential barriers and opportunities for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
Weeks 5-6: Developing a Vision and Plan for Change
- Developing a clear and compelling vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Creating a strategic plan for implementing change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Identifying key stakeholders and building a coalition to support change efforts
Weeks 7-8: Implementing Change and Overcoming Resistance
- Strategies for implementing change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Overcoming resistance to change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Communicating effectively with stakeholders about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
Weeks 9-10: Sustaining Change and Measuring Success
- Developing strategies to sustain change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization
- Measuring the success of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
- Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Weeks 11-12: Inclusive Leadership
- Developing inclusive leadership skills
- Fostering an inclusive workplace culture
- Addressing unconscious bias in decision-making
Weeks 13-14: Intersectionality and Allyship
- Understanding intersectionality and its role in creating an inclusive workplace
- Strategies for allyship and advocacy
- Addressing issues of privilege and power in the workplace
Weeks 15-16: Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Understanding the role of Employee Resource Groups in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Best practices for establishing and managing ERGs
- Leveraging ERGs to drive change and foster inclusivity in the workplace
Weeks 17-18: Inclusive Talent Management
- Strategies for attracting and retaining diverse talent
- Identifying and addressing systemic barriers to diversity and inclusion in the talent management process
- Developing inclusive hiring and promotion practices
Weeks 19-20: Inclusive Communication
- Strategies for communicating effectively about diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Addressing microaggressions and other harmful behaviors in the workplace
- Creating a culture of respectful and inclusive communication
Weeks 20-24: Final Project:
- Participants will develop a final project that outlines their proposed changes to their organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and how they plan to implement those changes
- Participants will receive feedback from their peers, the facilitator, and their coach
- Participants will have the opportunity to present their final project to a panel of experts in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Coaching:
- Participants will receive one-on-one coaching sessions throughout the program to support their personal development and progress in implementing change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization
- Coaches will help participants develop and execute their final project, provide feedback on their progress, and offer guidance on navigating challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
Online Community:
- Participants will have access to an online community where they can connect with other program participants, share resources, and collaborate on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
