Facing Racism and Emotional Tax in the Workplace

Dr. Terrence Underwood (Course Instructor)

Vice President of Learning Products and Programs at Catalyst

Catalyst

Dr. Terrence Underwood is Vice President of Learning Products and Programs at Catalyst, and is responsible for all aspects of Program Management for Leading for Equity and Inclusion, including business development, relationship management, and product marketing. Dr. Underwood has over 20 years of experience in diversity and inclusion, leadership, and organizational development. He has pioneered research on anger management in the workplace and is the author of Black Lives Matter and So Does Black Business: How Do We Keep Them Both Above Ground?

Ashley Rivenbark (Course Advisor)

Senior Associate of Leading for Equity and Inclusion

Catalyst

Ashley Rivenbark ( 艾莉) serves as a Senior Associate on the Leading for Equity & Inclusion (LEI) Team within Catalyst’s Learning and Advisory Services group. She is committed to collaborating with supporter organizations to shape and execute their inclusion learning and development goals. Ashley completed her undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2014, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies (Chinese) and Romance Languages (Spanish). She went on to complete her graduate work at the Wake Forest School of Business in May 2016, receiving her Master of Science in Management. Ashley holds a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.

Andrea Tatum (Course Instructor)

Sr. Director of Corporate Engagement, Western Region

Catalyst

Andrea Tatum has been focused throughout her career on helping companies create inclusive cultures where everyone belongs. Andrea joined Catalyst in June 2020 as the Sr. Director of Corporate Engagement, Western Region. In this role, Andrea provides guidance to a portfolio of companies headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and Western Region of the US on how to create inclusive and equitable workplaces that work for women. She is also a part of our Speakers Bureau and brings her unique experiences alongside Catalyst’s deep research on topics such as Emotional Tax on People of Color. Andrea’s passion and advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion was ignited early in her career in non-profit arts marketing. After 10 years in the arts, Andrea pivoted to tech where she grew her career as a product marketer, a certified project manager, and international event planner. Andrea graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Advertising/Public Relations and holds a CAPM from the Project Management Institute.

Xochitl Ledesma (Course Advisor)

Director, Leading for Equity and Inclusion

Catalyst

Xochitl Ledesma is the Director of Catalyst's Leading for Equity and Inclusion Team and is focused on partnering with supporters to create learning programs that foster inclusive leadership at all levels of an organization. She is an advocate of creating inclusive behavior through impactful events, such as our “Creating Your Inclusive Communication Style” workshop in which attendees form bonds with each other by assessing their unconscious bias through interactive case studies. Prior to joining Catalyst, Xochitl worked for EY’s cybersecurity practice in NY where she managed cybersecurity projects with C-suite and operational teams, developed firm-wide communication plans for F500 firms, and executed client workshops. After EY, Xochitl moved to France where she earned her Master’s Degree at Skema Business School. While in France, she also worked as a consultant with several organizations on event design and strategic communications. In addition to her Master’s degree, Xochitl earned her BBA from Georgetown University with a focus on Information Systems & Marketing.

Julie Friedberg (Course Instructor)

Senior Director, Learning Design & Delivery

Catalyst

Julie Friedberg is the Senior Director of Learning Design and Delivery. In this role, she is responsible for learning strategy, design and implementation across Catalyst’s programs. Julie works closely with clients to customize content to their needs and works across Catalyst teams to create a holistic end-to-end service model that supports clients throughout the change process. Julie brings 25 years of experience in learning and development, instructional design, training and facilitation, leadership development, organizational management and executive coaching. Prior to joining Catalyst, Julie founded her own company, Julie Friedberg Coaching. There, she coached corporate and non-profit executives and senior leaders in leadership, change management, culture, people development, strategy and communication. Before establishing her own coaching company, Julie served as Executive Director of School Leadership Development and Founding Executive Director of the Emerging Leaders Program at New Leaders, Inc. where she designed, launched and led a national leadership program to develop a pipeline of transformational school leaders in high-need schools. She also served as Founder and Executive Director of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, an education organization for underserved children. Julie received her Ed.M. in Education Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and her undergraduate degree from Brown University. She is certified by the International Coach Federation and completed her Executive Coach training at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.

Sunita Mahtani (Course Instructor)

Director, US Corporate Engagement

Catalyst

Sunita Mahtani’s professional and academic background is rooted in an unwavering goal towards social justice and equity in our world. As Director, US Corporate Engagement, Sunita provides consultation to Supporter organizations in the North East and Mid-Atlantic with respect to the advancement of women and creating inclusive work environments.

Sunita brings a diverse background to her role from a cross-section of industries including Corporate America, Nonprofit, Government, and Higher Education. Prior to Catalyst, Sunita served as the Program Manager for Girls Incorporated of Long Island, where she directed programs and built strategic partnerships with school districts and companies aimed at providing access to empowerment programs for girls. Before this role, Sunita worked for WebMD as an Account Manager, where she managed more than 50 high-net-worth client portfolios with fortune 500 companies. After the 9/11 tragedy, Sunita joined the American Red Cross 9/11 Recovery Program and was instrumental in creating their first-ever grantmaking program. While at the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Gender and Domestic Based Violence, Sunita spearheaded a program bridging communication between diverse immigrant communities and the NYPD. Sunita holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University earned her Master’s in Social Enterprise from Columbia University and has a professional qualification in Project Management from George Washington School of Business.

Dnika Travis, PhD (Course Advisor)

Vice President, Research

Catalyst

Dr. Dnika J. Travis , vice president, research at Catalyst, is a recognized researcher, educator, and change leader. At Catalyst, Dnika leads research initiatives and manages content creation. Her most recent work involves building and piloting the Catalyst Inclusion Accelerator, a diagnostic and action planning tool to help companies measure the state of inclusion for employees and teams. Dnika’s renowned research on emotional tax experienced by people of color at work, along with her expertise on engaging i­­n tough conversations across differences, have been widely published and featured in top-tier media outlets such as CNN, Fortune, and NBC News. She was also named a “2017 Women Worth Watching” by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Prior to joining Catalyst, Dnika was an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work where she maintains an affiliation as a fellow. Dnika earned her PhD from University of Southern California, MSW from the University of Michigan, and BA from Hampton University.

Julie Nugent (Course Advisor)

Senior Vice President, Learning & Advisory Services

Catalyst

Julie S. Nugent is responsible for strategy development and brand management of products and initiatives such as MARC (Men Advocating Real Change), Leading for Equity and Inclusion training, advisory services, and the Catalyst Inclusion Accelerator delivery. In her position, she leads multiple groups in evaluating, creating, and delivering global corporate and professional strategies to advance diversity, inclusion, and business results. Her work also consists of working with client to assess workplace environments and providing actionable recommendations. As an influencer in the diversity and inclusion space, Julie frequently speaks to corporate and public audiences and the media on topics including women’s leadership and advancement, mentoring, diversity and inclusion strategies, LGBT inclusion, and the Catalyst Award, which she chaired for over eight years. She has authored numerous external book chapters as well as many Catalyst publications, including reports focused on experiences of inclusion; a suite of company practices and Catalyst Award-winning initiatives; Making Mentoring Work and related tools; and tools and products focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion. In addition to her extensive consulting, research, and public speaking expertise, Julie taught a course on gender in the workplace as a former Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. Julie holds her MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from New York University and received her BA in Psychology and English from Ohio University, where she graduated with top honors.

Tenika Francis (Course Instructor)

Sr. Director of Human Resources

Catalyst

Tenika Francis is responsible for full-cycle talent management with a heavy focus on diversity and inclusion-related initiatives. Prior to joining Catalyst, Tenika worked at the World Economic Forum, where she was the Senior Talent Acquisition & Development and interim HR Generalist. She was the main point-of-contact for all HR-related questions for employees of Forum USA, both strategic and tactical. Tenika earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Business Management from Delaware State University. In addition, she attended the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching and is a certified professional coach. Tenika enjoys traveling to different countries around the world and immersing herself in the different cultures.

Corin Ramos, PhD (Course Advisor)

Director, Research

Catalyst

Corin Ramos, PhD , works in collaboration with the Research team at Catalyst. She is committed to helping leaders understand how cultural, racial, and ethnic differences, as well as racially charged current events, can impact employees of color. Prior to working at Catalyst, Corin worked in higher education at two Hispanic-Serving Institutions. She has experience in institutional research, program evaluation, and diversity and inclusion programs within a community college and university setting. Corin is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento. She attended graduate school at The University of Texas at El Paso where she earned an MA in Experimental Psychology and a PhD in Social Psychology.

Joy Ohm (Course Advisor)

Vice President, Science Writer and Advisor

Catalyst

Joy Ohm collaborates with colleagues in the Research department to conceptualize, write, and manage Catalyst’s cutting-edge knowledge products. She works with Catalyst experts and thought leaders to tell engaging stories with our data and create reports and tools that Catalyst Supporters can use as a roadmap for change. She is committed to making Catalyst’s unique findings and perspectives accessible and inspiring for everyone. Before taking on this role, Joy was Catalyst’s Editor-in-Chief working out of our Global Brand and Strategic Communications department and responsible for the editorial, design, and brand integrity of all Catalyst’s written materials, including the website. Joy graduated from Wellesley College cum laude with a degree in History and Philosophy, and she completed the Radcliffe Publishing Course.

​Krista Brookman (Course Advisor)

Vice President, Inclusive Leadership Initiative

Catalyst

Krista Brookman is Vice President, Global Learning Products and Programs at Catalyst. In her role at Catalyst, Ms. Brookman leads special projects which includes advising on and leading the strategy of research-based D&I diagnostic tools and skill-building initiatives, training and programs. This has included the creation and launch of innovative products and programs for Catalyst focused on leadership development and inclusion measurement that foster actionable and accountable D&I results. The results have been evidenced in successful desired learning outcomes for organizations, behavioral shifts for individuals, and mission impact and revenue results for Catalyst. Ms. Brookman received an MBA and BA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Heather Foust-Cummings, PhD (Course Advisor)

Senior Vice President, Research & Consulting

Catalyst

Heather Foust-Cummings, PhD , is the passionate leader of Catalyst’s researchers, librarians, and fact-checkers who are experts and thought leaders on building workplaces that work for women. Before serving in this role, Heather researched topics such as women on boards, women in technology, inclusive workplace cultures and leadership, how men engage in workplace equity efforts, and how leaders effectively sponsor high-potential talent. A sought-after speaker, she has consulted for organizations in the financial services, pharmaceutical, technology, and construction industries. Prior to joining Catalyst, Heather taught at Columbia University and conducted brand analyses for Young & Rubicam. Heather received her PhD and MA in Political Science and a Certificate in Women’s Studies from Emory University; she received her BS in Political Science and Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.