■ Human Resources
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Corporations recognize that DEI is a “ musthave , if an organization or a business wants to succeed ,” Sorrentini said . In her initial meeting with clients , she asks what matters most and what is most concerning . “ It immediately establishes trust and credibility ,” Sorrentini said , adding that political pressures around the issues have made it very polarizing . “ Many leaders are uncomfortable having the conversation . They don ’ t know how to do it and don ’ t want to make a mistake .”
Impact Consulting often conducts a workplace culture assessment , delving deep with surveys , focus groups and reviewing data analytics to get a picture of a company ’ s DEI maturity level . Sorrentini said her firm has developed proprietary programs and standards that can be customized for specific industries . “ We become an extension of their teams many times ,” she said , adding “ that first and foremost is caring for the client and a commitment to the topics and to create change .”
IntuAction Coaching Michele Brown , President
Michele Brown brought 25 years of corporate experience to IntuAction Coaching when she founded the talent management and consulting firm in 2007 . At its core the business focuses on leadership development . But it has also always offered skills training , workshops and consulting in diversity , equity , and inclusion .
Since the tragic 2020 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Brown said “ the call to action around diversity has been paramount .” Many employees – people of color , different genders , and different sexual orientations – felt they were not being heard “ and organizations with a conscience started reaching out to us ,” she said .
Her clients fall into two categories : Those who are scratching their heads because they know they need to do something , but do not know where to start ; and those who have strong initiatives in place and want to make certain they are sustainable and can show a measurable transformation .
“ Many leaders are uncomfortable having the conversation . They don ’ t know how to do it and don ’ t want to make a mistake .”
For the former group , Brown and her team devise a DEI framework with a strategy implemented within a task force inside a company ’ s human resources office , or sometimes an independent department entirely . In the latter case , the team meets with the company ’ s leadership to make certain their investment is returning genuine behavioral changes that can be measured . Brown uses surveys and evaluations to determine the levels of satisfaction , engagement , and fairness within a company . Another key factor is the level of advancement among under-represented groups . Data collected from a company reflects its progress and indicates where a course correction is needed .
L-R : Michele Brown of IntuAction Coaching , and Lucy Sorrentini of Impact Consulting .
Cover image : John O ' Boyle Photography
Brown delves into how a company recruits talent and suggests connecting with historically black universities and colleges for candidates . Her team is also certified in conducting psychometric assessments . These tests are used to filter candidates for the type of personalities and behaviors that will help companies reach their goals .
Often Brown will start with a “ listening tour ” with a firm ’ s leadership team . With one client , Brown said it was a cathartic session when she asked the executives to discuss their own upbringings . Their conversation was a breakthrough that fueled a leadership transformation .
Morgan Stanley Corethia V . E . Oates Vice President , Senior Portfolio Manager
An experienced professional in the financial industry since 1995 , Corethia V . E . Oates acquired her securities license in 1998 and started at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in 2000 . She believes that only God would bring her into an industry that does not typically represent her . “ It ’ s not just business , it ’ s personal , “ said Oates , who takes a highly personalized holistic financial planning-based approach to help her clients successfully realize their financial dreams and goals .
Oates was raised in a predominantly white Essex County suburb . One of her heroes is her grandmother , a dedicated Christian who read the Bible at least six times in her lifetime and founded two churches . As a financial advisor and senior portfolio manager , Oates leans heavily on her Christian beliefs and values to drive her actions . Her guiding principle ; Ephesians 6:7-8 , which gives her a higher standard to aspire to than any regulatory responsibility her licenses require . She is also keenly aware that by her very presence in a meeting , a board room or anywhere , she could be the only example of a Christian , African American women they may meet . “ My whole life is affected by Diversity , Equity and Inclusion . I do not have the luxury of hiding who I am or Whose I am . I don ’ t have to enumerate it ,” she said .
Many of her clients seek her out because she may look like them or they may be like-mined . In response , she is fully dedicated to them . “ I take all my responsibilities very seriously ,” she said , explaining she strives for excellence as a reflection on her community and background .
She was one of CIANJ ’ s first “ Ambassadors ” over 20 years ago when the business advocacy organization had a committee expressly designed to have members promote Commerce and Industry of New Jersey ’ s philosophy of free enterprise to help NJ be a better place to do business , work and live . It also was formed to expand the membership base . Oates went on to establish the Bergen County Black Business Network within the CIANJ and most recently she joined the organization ’ s board of directors . She is also a former board member and founding program chair for the Women ’ s Institute of Bergen Community College ’ s Mentor Program .
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