As social consciousness shifts towards demanding inclusivity and diversity, the need for multicultural competency in workplaces is more and more apparent. Today’s guest, Linda Howard, CEO of Alturnative and President of the Board of Directors of the National Wellness Institute, has been working to highlight the tools needed to create a culture of inclusivity and train wellness professionals on how to develop and hone them.

With over 30 years of combined experience in law, compliance, and managed care operations, Linda provides thought leadership to esteemed organizations and educates thousands of professionals annually in multicultural competency and social responsibility. 

In this episode, Linda discusses forming the Multicultural Competency Committee at the National Wellness Institute and their goals for the future. She explores the tools needed to create a culture of inclusivity in workplaces and how to use the multicultural competency wheel that the Committee developed. 

Linda shares what she’s most proud of accomplishing through the Committee, including the new Multicultural Competency Certificate Course training. Finally, she touches on what she thinks the wellness industry as a whole needs to do to be more inclusive and provides a jumping off point for professionals looking to move their organizations towards multicultural competency.

This episode is sponsored by Workplace Money Coach.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on employees’ financial lives has been dramatic. It runs the gamut from severe hardship as a result of job loss to excessive cash flow surpluses due to limited spending opportunities. 

Whatever our employees’ financial situation might be during these uncertain times, Workplace Money Coach is here to help them stay on track to meet their financial life goals. 

In order to serve your employees in a safe and healthy way, Workplace Money Coach has launched the Living Paycheck to Purpose program as a virtual option with a focus on maintaining the group discussions and thought-provoking activities that make their program dynamic. 

Now, your employees can engage in your wellness offerings and stay on top of their financial goals from the safety and convenience of their home office. 

As a bonus to their Living Paycheck to Purpose virtual program, Workplace Money Coach is offering Redesigning Wellness listeners a complimentary coaching session for all participants of the program so employees can get individualized attention for their financial situation. Just mention that you heard about the program through the Redesigning Wellness Podcast. 

You can learn more about Workplace Money Coach’s financial empowerment program at www.workplacemoneycoach.com. Schedule a call to see if the Living Paycheck to Purpose program is right for your employees.

Interview Highlights (with timestamps):

• [6:33] Forming the Multicultural Competency Committee
• [11:02] Tools needed to create a culture of inclusivity
• [15:48] The message from the top, a vibe in the middle, and the word on the street
• [19:40] Using the Multicultural Competency Wheel
• [38:29] What Linda is most proud of accomplishing with the Multicultural Competency Committee
• [44:13] What the wellness industry as a whole needs to do to be more inclusive
• [51:09] Linda’s tangible tip

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Multicultural Competency Wheel
• High-Level Wellness Through Multicultural Competency Certificate Course
• WithLindaHoward.com

Full Bio:

Linda Howard is the National Wellness Institute's (NWI) Board of Directors President. She is one of the co-founders of NWI’s Multicultural Competency Committee and the lead Subject Matter Expertise for the NWI’s High-Level Wellness Through Multicultural Competency Certificate Course. Linda is also the Chief Executive Officer of Alturnative consultancy, an author, and a public speaker.

She has over 30 years of combined experience in law, compliance, and healthcare operations. She has a passion for wellness and is a believer in social responsibility. Her work includes providing thought leadership to esteemed organizations and professional development through presentations, corporate education, and authorship. She also provides advisory services to organizations related to multicultural competency; diversity, equity and inclusion; anti-racism; and anti-discrimination compliance. She specializes in helping organizations create a culture of real inclusion and compliance.

As a living example of being the change you want to see, Linda shares her knowledge and time in various communities. She is committed to using her leadership to advance dialogues that bring about industry and organizational transformations.

Her previous professional titles include Chief Compliance and Impact Officer, Chief Compliance Intellect Officer, AVP Business Ethics, Privacy Officer, Attorney, and Senior In-House Counsel. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. To learn more about Linda visit www.WithLindaHoward.com.