This 4-session virtual series, offered at no charge, will be led by leading experts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-oppression. It is a space of learning, growth, and connection exclusively for trustees of New Jersey Arts organizations.

We strongly encourage participation from two trustees per organization. Ideally, at least one trustee from each organization will be an officer of the board.

The 2023-2024 cohort is limited to a total of 50 individuals. We encourage trustees to register today to secure a spot!

REGISTER

Session Topics and Dates

Each 2-hour interactive session will take place online. Participants are required to attend all four sessions.

Tuesday, October 24, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Moral Leadership and Your Role as a Board Member

Led by Dr. Tobie Stein and Toni Yuille Williams

Tuesday, November 28, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Language, History, and Bias: How did we get here and what are we up against?

Led by Dr. Durell Cooper

Thursday, January 25, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

It’s Not Just Programming: The Importance of HR and Internal Policies

Led by Diane Parker

Thursday, February 15, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Envisioning the Anti-Oppressive Future We Want

Led by Elizabeth Murphy

Facilitators

Dr. Durell Cooper

Dr. Durell Cooper is one of the nation’s leading cultural strategists and is the Founder and CEO of Cultural Innovation Group, a boutique consulting agency specializing in systems change and collaborative thought leadership. He is also the creator and host of the web series Flow and the podcast Fluency w/ Dr. Durell Cooper; an adjunct instructor at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, New York University, and The City College of New York. Durell completed the Impact Program for Arts Leaders (IPAL) at Stanford University in 2018. He is a member of the Diversity Scholars Network at the National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan. Durell earned a B.F.A from Southern Methodist University, and both an M.A & Doctorate of Education from New York University. At NYU SPS, he teaches courses in the Certificate in Arts Management at the Center for Applied Liberal Arts.

Elizabeth Murphy

Elizabeth Murphy is the founder and CEO of Rathu Consulting. She partners with philanthropic and charitable organizations as a strategist providing short and long-term strategic advising and planning for Boards and executive staff as they meet the challenges of leading their organizations during times of growth, crises, or turnaround. Elizabeth has also served as the executive director for the American Liver Foundation Mid-Atlantic Chapter and as a Creative Producer for professional theatre companies. She has produced over 125 theatrical productions throughout New York City, New Jersey, Belfast, Dublin, London, Edinburgh, and Australia. Elizabeth holds dual citizenship – Irish and American, and from 2008 to 2012 she lived and worked in Ireland. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College/University of Notre Dame, and holds executive education certificates from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business—Executive Education Program for Nonprofit Leaders, and Rutgers University’s Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance.

Diane L. Parker

Diane L. Parker is Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at PGIM FIxed Income. A media industry veteran with over two decades of experience, she is a proven leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and Human Resource Management. Diane has expertise in creating strategies and managing talent acquisition, retention, employee experience, and partnering with content creators with a primary focus on integrating DE&I goals to align with corporate mission and values. Previously, Diane was the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Dotdash Meredith, the number one magazine publisher in the U.S., and the Director of Staffing and Global DE&I at the Associated Press (AP), the largest nonprofit global news organization, for 20 years where she developed strategies and solutions for talent acquisition, learning and development, retention, succession planning, and the employee experience. Diane is the co-founder and executive director of the New Jersey Creative Arts Collaborative and a board member of the American Theatre Group and New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Dr. Tobie S. Stein

Tobie S. Stein, Ph.D. is a two-time Fulbright Specialist (Israel and Taiwan), a member of the Diversity Scholars Network at the National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan, and a member of the American Sociological Association. She is the author of five books, including Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Performing Arts Workforce (Routledge 2020) and Leadership in the Performing Arts (Allworth Press (2016; Mandarin edition 2019). She is a Brooklyn Arts Council board member. She was named a 2020 Champion of the Arts by Donna Walker-Kuhne and is now a team member at Walker International Communications Group. Her international work in performing arts and nonprofit management has been recognized in Taiwan, Israel, Mexico, and France. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology, focusing on career and workforce development from The CUNY Graduate Center.

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Toni Yuille Williams

Toni Yuille Williams is the Director of Regional & Community Affairs for Con Edison Company of New York, Inc. Her responsibilities include government relations, corporate community relations, media relations, employee communications, volunteerism, and special events. Toni is also the creator, on-air personality, and executive producer of Brooklyn Savvy, a Talk Show that airs weekly on NYClife channel 25. A sought-after leader, she is currently the Chair of the FPWA Board aka Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Chair of the Brooklyn Arts Council, on the boards of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, The Billie Holiday Theater, BRIC Arts Media Brooklyn and the New York City Technical College Foundation Board.