Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Collaborative

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Program with Greater Mankato Growth
New session coming up

October 2023 - April 2024

$749 per participant (GMG member)
$849 per participant (non-member)

The Greater Mankato Growth Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Collaborative supports area leaders in developing the skills, mindsets, and networks needed to drive inclusive change for greater equity within their organizations.

A limited number of partial small business or nonprofit scholarships are available.

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring the DEI Collaborative, please reach out to Shannon Gullickson or learn more here.

Key Resources and Support

Facilitators will provide local and statewide resources and support as participants dive deeper to understand how they show up as leaders and begin driving DEI in their organizations.

This program will focus on a small cohort of no more than 30 participants, ensuring the opportunity for collaborative networking. We encourage multiple participants per business and recommend one of them is a decision-maker within the organization.

Co-Chairs: Dr. Cuong Huynh and Ceceli Polzin | 2023 Greater Mankato Growth Volunteers of the Year
The DEI Collaborative:
  • Is a seven-month program designed to help employers create and maintain an environment that welcomes and celebrates diversity within their workplace.
  • Believes that developing cross-cultural empathy and understanding is vital to Greater Mankato’s future workforce needs.
  • Offers a unique opportunity for participants to work across business and nonprofit sectors in our region to develop best practices together.


A limited number of partial small business or nonprofit scholarships are available.

For more information, please reach out to Shannon Gullickson. To register, complete the DEI Collaborative Participant Commitment Statement Form (below) and return to the email address on the form.

DEI Collaborative Session Information

During the first session, participants will commit to a set of norms that will guide them through the DEI Collaborative experience. They will define their DEI purpose, vision, values, and leadership commitment, and receive an overview of the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity, as well as the DEI Collaborative’s group IDI profile.

Participants take the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and begin individual, 30-minute debriefs with Tobias Spanier, a certified IDI facilitator.

Participants will define cultural humility and cultural agility, as well as give examples of these concepts in action. They will also explore the importance of these concepts in creating equitable and inclusive places of work.

John Harper, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for South Central College will lead cohort members through activities which will help them understand unconscious bias and how history and culture have affected the way we see others.

Leaders from local organizations that are champions of change and acceptance will share about their work and how Greater Mankato businesses and organizations can partner with them to create a more accepting workplace.

This session will provide information, lively discussion, and activities for cohort members who wish to help create an inclusivity plan for their employers. Many local organizations offer resources for employers who wish to gain a better understanding of the ways they can accommodate and embrace different cultures in the workplace.

Presenters from area organizations that have created a framework for an inclusive workplace will share their processes, as well as success and challenges they have experienced along the way.

Presenters from area organizations that have created a framework for an inclusive workplace will share their processes, as well as success and challenges they have experienced along the way.

Each monthly session will take place from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.

Presenting Sponsors
Dan & Angie Bastain - Presenting Sponsors of the DEI Program 2022-2023
Small Business Scholarship Sponsor
South Central Workforce Council Logo
Supporting Sponsors
Hospitality and Facility Sponsor
Video Production Sponsor
For more information please contact:
Shannon Gullickson
Leadership Programs Director

Phone: 507-381-2068
Email: 
[email protected]

Learn more about the our Professional Programs

en_USEnglish