Episode 25: Digging Deeper into DE&I

Guest Bio

Shan Foster is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fostering Healthy Solutions, LLC where he cultivates healthy solutions to diversity issues through education, training, and execution. His experience includes work with several sectors, including entertainment, financial services, technology, media, environmental services, and law enforcement. Foster is passionate about diversity and is seen as a visionary amongst leaders. He also serves as Executive Director of AMEND Together at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. AMEND Together is an initiative that engages men and boys to end violence against women and girls. He recruits, educates, and equips men and boys to serve as advocates for violence prevention and cultural change. Author of What Hurt Didn’t Hinder and described as an enthusiastic leader, gifted public speaker, and skilled facilitator, Shan Foster is committed to elevating the conversation about violence against women, engaging men to be leaders and role models, and educating young men and boys about healthy masculinity and respect. He is a frequent speaker before national and international corporations, regional and national conferences, local and state government entities, and collegiate and national sports programs, including the National Football League.

Recap & Takeaways

• [00:16 – 00:41] Introduction to Shan Foster
• [01:01 – 04:00] Shan’s life journey and some of the initiatives he is part of
• [04:02 – 06:46] How Shan’s family life structured his views on driving healthier families, teams, and communities
• [06:47 – 08:17] New Orleans culture and community
• [08:21 – 09:26] The culture in Rio and experiencing it for the Olympics
• [09:29 – 12:23] How lessons in early life influenced Shan’s basketball career
• [12:24 – 14:36] Finding satisfaction in the job and skill growth
• [14:41 – 18:59] Inherited biases and learned behaviors
• [18:59 – 20:53] Quality of education, work ethic
• [20:56 – 22:47] Wage inequality and company values, the ability to retire someday
• [22:50 – 25:57] The role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in doing life together
• [26:05 – 28:44] Building cultural competency and what to look for in talent
• [28:52 – 30:42] Communications in other languages
• [30:48 – 33:47] DEI is about how we show up to work every day
• [33:58 – 36:18] Racism is costing the US $17 trillion
• [36:44 – 40:12] Considerations for neurodiverse and military veterans entering the workforce
• [40:14 – 43:34] Discovery and doing our own work
• [43:50 – 45:10] COVID and hiring talent remotely
• [45:27 – 45:52] Shan’s message to customers and internally