Communication Skills for Dialoguing Across Difference

Instructor

Tolonda M. Tolbert

Former Senior Director, Inclusive Leadership Initiative

Catalyst

Tolonda M. Tolbert, PhD, is a strategy expert who partners with companies to develop customized solutions to advance inclusion and meet their organizational goals. She specializes in training and professional development, cultural competency, sponsorship, ERGs, visible minorities, and LGBTQ issues. Tolonda also serves internally as a learning and development specialist for Catalyst’s Inclusive Leadership Initiative.

Previously, Tolonda worked as an independent D&I consultant for education and nonprofit institutions, as the founder of Diversity Speaks NYC. As a national trainer for the Anti-Defamation League’s A World of Difference Institute and GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), she gained 12 years of anti-bias education experience developing curriculum, delivering, and coordinating programming. Tolonda was an adjunct professor at NYU’s Silver School of Social Work, and currently teaches professional development classes for faculty on Facilitating Challenging Discussions on Race and Racism. She also maintains an active role on the Anti-Defamation League’s Education Board. Tolonda received her PhD at Rutgers University, where she also received her Master’s with distinction in Comparative Literature and Women’s Studies. Tolonda is a published writer and independent scholar on social justice issues.

Instructor

Jared Cline

Community Manager, MARC (Men Advocating Real Change)

Catalyst

Jared Cline is the Community Manager of MARC (Men Advocating Real Change), an online learning community created especially for professional men who are committed to building inclusive workplaces. In his role, he supports new and existing MARC members with relevant content and materials, maintains the site’s editorial schedule, moderates content across MARC platforms, and conducts outreach to sustain MARC membership growth. Prior to joining MARC, Jared worked as associate editor and web editor for Time Out Beijing magazine. He graduated from Truman State University in 2011 with a BA in English and currently resides in New York City.

Instructor

Audrey Gallien

Former Director, Marketing

Catalyst

Audrey Gallien joined Catalyst in May 2011 as part of the Membership Department in Sunnyvale, California. She supported Catalyst member organizations by making them aware of Catalyst resources, as well as by organizing and conducting events on topics related to Catalyst research, including women in leadership, women’s contributions to corporate financial performance, workplace challenges for diverse women, LGBT issues, and work-life effectiveness. In January 2013, Audrey joined the Catalyst Events team, bringing her experience working directly with member organizations into event execution. She coordinates Catalyst global webinars, member and non-member convening opportunities, and the annual Catalyst Awards Conference and Dinner. Audrey graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Gender & Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.