80. Meredith Gibson, CEO, Association for Women in Science (AWIS), on DEI and What's Really Changing Hearts and Minds

What’s really working to change hearts and minds when it comes to diversity and inclusion? What’s the CEO journey like when you’ve been in an organization for a long time?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Meredith Gibson, CEO of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). Meredith discusses:How she determined that what motivates her in her career is mission.When she became CEO of AWIS, she had conversations with staff, including someone who she thought was interested in the CEO job.The organization’s renewed commitment membership and relationships (with members, chapters, and staff) in 2018.AWIS’ Summer of Science which educates the public about how science impacts our world.AWIS advocates on issues that fall between gender and science, including DEI curriculum, Title IX activities, bullying, sexual harrassment, bias in hiring.One day DEI events can be exciting but they don’t change behaviors and habits. The AWIS Inclusion Project is a 90 day learning experience that gives participants a small activity or reflection every day in order to create new habits and insights.How AWIS changed the corporate sponsor package to allow anyone at the companies to access member benefits. This has exploded membership and participation!How Meredith’s superpower of conversation and how she’s able to ferret out insights from members, Board leaders and staff.References:AWIS websiteAWIS Inclusion ProjectMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/quiet-flightLicense code: KJRRI6GHC7WKCLDT