“Being vulnerable as a leader is so important in making your team feel comfortable – providing feedback and feeling like they can be vulnerable as well and come to you if they have needs that might not be addressed in your workplace; I think as you have people start to feel like they matter, that their opinions matter, their feedback matters, that their voice matters within the organization, you really start to get the best out of them.”
Michelle Okere is a certified fundraising executive, diversity, and inclusion specialist with over a decade of experience leading the growth of national, provincial, and local non-profit and for-profit organizations. Michelle recently departed her CEO role to focus on her consulting practice full-time, where she supports organizations in building their EDI capacity to successfully transform workplace culture, drive engagement, and build high-performing teams. Michelle is also the co-founder of the REET institute, chair of the reconciliation committee for YWCA Edmonton, and the vice-chair of PolicyWise for children and families. Michelle was also awarded the deputy ministers award for innovation in a cross-sector fundraising and awareness campaign named under Edify’s top 40 under 40 in 2021. She also recently received the Queen’s Jubilee medal for advancing equity. The Universal Radio Network’s own Qashus had the chance to talk to Michelle about her upbringing, the REET institute, implementing empathy within management and leadership and in an organization as a whole, and much more in this episode.
At the beginning of Qashus’ and Michelle’s discussion, Michelle details her beginnings and how everything started out (2:38), how she was able to build confidence early on (3:59), how she felt when she achieved her goal of becoming the first person in her family to attend university (5:40), what moment she realized she wanted to be involved with non-profit organizations (7:57), and whether she always took the initiative in finding out what was best for her career-wise (13:34). Next, Michelle discusses the initials hurdles and struggles she faced when she began as a CEO (16:31), how she was able to implement the feelings of empathy throughout her organization (24:05), what the REET institute is and the goals of the organization (27:17), and if the program offered at the REET institute is free of charge (34:12).
Nearing the end of their conversation, Michelle talks about her journey to becoming a consultant (37:57), how management and leadership can implement more empathy within their space (40:48), her thoughts on the possibility of a 4-day workweek (44:44), the positive impact upper management can have on a company (48:40), and finally, advice Michelle would give to anyone looking to make an impact and elevate their careers (52:52).