inclusive-strategies

Greater Springfield Women's Economic Security Hub (ESH)/Voices Rising: Women Shaping Economic Power

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 17:01:43 GMT

The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts began collaborating with key area partners to launch the Greater Springfield Women’s Economic Security Hub (ESH) in 2020. This collaborative created a 12-determinant framework to represent ‘one woman’s economic engine’ that shows the complexity of factors that affect women’s economic security. The ESH commissioned the University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Research on Families (UMass CRF) to collect and analyze data on 200 women experiencing economic insecurity in Greater Springfield. UMass CRF trained and certified community-based organizations employees in ethical research practices for these trust-based interviews. All participants and employees were compensated for their time and testimony.

Learn more at data.mywomensfund.org/economic-security-hub

2024 Pioneer Valley Conference for Women

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 19:32:43 GMT

Waleska Lugo-DeJesus participated in the "Rising Strong: Navigating Adversity with Resilience" panel, a crucial conversation on how women can rebound from personal challenges and thrive professionally. The discussion centered on resilience, highlighting the ability to face, process, and ultimately overcome adversity. Panelists discussed the importance of embracing the complexity of their identities and emotions, acknowledging vulnerability, and developing the skills needed to navigate tough times. By nurturing a resilient mindset, individuals can adapt to change, grow from experiences, and come out stronger ("UNLEASHED"). This panel offered valuable insights into the power of resilience and how it can help navigate life's inevitable challenges.

Read the full story .

STCC recognizes leadership during International Women's Month

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:10:35 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In a ceremony celebrating International Women’s Month, Springfield Technical Community College recognized three exemplary women who embody the spirit of service, engagement and leadership.

The Lead Female Leadership & Mentoring Program at STCC presented community leadership awards to student Chelsie Rivera, faculty member Dr. Vanessa Hill and staff member Wilma Tynes.

STCC held its ceremony on March 6, two days before International Women’s Day. The campus event featured the presentation of leadership awards, a panel discussion, networking and local female-owned businesses as vendors.

Andrea Gedeon, Title V HSI Grant Financial Literacy Coordinator, moderated the panel discussion with Vice President of Family Services for Square One Melissa Blissett and Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, CEO of Inclusive Strategies, LLC, and founding director of the Healing Racism Institute.

They shared their experiences and strategies for fostering inclusivity in the workplace, addressing barriers and driving cultural change.

Read the full story .

Springfield Puerto Rican Parade celebrates roots, culture

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 19:05:07 GMT

This year's Grand Marshal, Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, marched with family and friends and employee of her business Inclusive Strategies. The float was inspired by El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico and the island's indigenous people, the Taíno, an Arawak tribe.

"I'm extremely emotional and very happy. The way the community has come together to celebrate culture and our heritage makes me really joyful," she said.

She said the success of the parade is a combination of marchers and spectators and the local business community coming together and collaborating to represent Latino culture.

While honored to be chosen this year's Grand Marshal, Lugo-DeJesus said her responsibility is to also honor all of the honorees that came before her in the past 33 years.

"Not only the person, but what they embody, it's all of their contributions to community," she said. "So businesses, economic development, education, our non-profits, our entrepreneurs, our youth. I see that unfolding today and I know that this day is not only for me, but it's shared."

Read the full story .

The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade (Never Forget Your Roots) Celebration and Reveal of the Ambassador Honorees

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:58:56 GMT

2023 Springfield Puerto Rican Parade committee members posed for a photo with 2023 PR Parade Grand Marshall Waleska Lugo DeJesus at the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade (Never Forget Your Roots) Celebration and Reveal of the Ambassador Honorees at the White Lion Brewing Co. taproom in Tower Square on Main St. in Springfield on June 29th. L to R- Sasha Viands, Veronice Santana, Juan Falcón, Grand Marshall Waleska Lugo DeJesus, Board Chair Kelvin Molina-Brantley, and Parade Administrator Shirley Rodriguez.

(Ed Cohen Photo)

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Mayor Sarno joins with Councilor Perez for Women on the Vanguard’s First Annual Latina Women’s Day Breakfast

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 20:19:57 GMT

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez for the Women on the Vanguard’s first annual Latina Women’s Day Breakfast at the La Quinta Hotel, in observance of the International Women’s Day. Mayor Sarno brought greetings and presented a proclamation recognizing this inaugural event. Mayor Sarno thanked Councilor Perez for her unyielding work on behalf of our community and acknowledge all of the women of the Vanguard for their efforts in advocating for our community, especially for being strong role models for our young women.

City Councilor Kateri Walsh, New North Citizens Council Executive Director Maria Ligus, retired Springfield Assistant Superintendent Lydia Martinez-Alvarez, and Waleska Lugo-DeJesus were also in attendance.

Read the Full Story .

Citywide Dr. King Day Celebration

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 20:16:10 GMT

Springfield’s annual citywide Dr. King Day Celebration is hosted by Martin Luther King Jr Family Services, Community Music School of Springfield, Inclusive Strategies LLC, Springfield College and Focus Springfield, Legacy Sounds, Springfield Cultural Partnership, Focus Springfield, Urban League of Springfield, and Springfield Public Schools.

Read the full story.

Creative Inclusive Strategies Virtual Program aims to help infuse Racial Equity and Inclusive strategies for recruitment, retention & marketing

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:47:53 GMT

Springfield, MA – The Creative Strategy Agency, Inc. is partnering with Inclusive Strategies, LLC. to offer Creative Inclusive Strategies, a virtual program aimed to help businesses make intentional choices taking into consideration the moral and financial benefit of diversity in their recruitment, retention, marketing, and messaging on November 18, 2021.

The program is co-hosted by a nationally certified expert on racial equity, diversity, inclusion + belonging, Waleska Lugo-DeJesús, CEO of Inclusive Strategies and an award-winning marketer, Alfonso Santaniello, CEO of the Creative Strategy Agency.

We can’t go back to business as usual. In 2019, Adobe conducted a research report of more than 2,000 consumers. Their results showed that 66% of African Americans, and 53% of Latinx and Hispanic Americans feel their ethnicity is portrayed stereotypically in advertisements. In 2020, 90% of ads didn’t reflect the global diversity of the world we live in. We aim to share case studies that support the need to have an inclusive strategy.

“Our goal is to inspire more inclusive representation, inspire equitable policies and procedures that consider a broader audience to influence positive social change,” said Waleska Lugo-DeJesús, CEO of Inclusive Strategies. “From organization culture to marketing and messaging, it’s important to know how to market a product or service and attract and retain the right candidates for job opportunities,” added Alfonso Santaniello, CEO of the Creative Strategy Agency, Inc.

The digital program has a limited the capacity to provide a more digital best practices exercise experience. For more information, contact 413-351-0590 or alfonso@tcsainc.com .

Waleska Lugo-DeJesús is the CEO of Inclusive Strategies - nationally certified Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging facilitator dedicated to creating meaningful social change, with a human-centered, racial healing approach, addressing systemic racism for equitable environments, and communities. She widely recognized for her advocacy for anti-racism work in identifying educational strategies to create equity. She has over twenty years of experience working in the private, nonprofit sector, higher education and healthcare systems and is widely respected and recognized for her innovative ability to broaden coalitions and build communities of inclusion.

Alfonso Santaniello is the President & CEO of the Creative Strategy Agency, a digital marketing and advertising agency. An award-digital marketer, he has supported startups to national brands on developing cohesive strategies and campaigns. Santaniello uses his fifteen years of experience in the marketing field to stay civically engaged and impact local non-profits and leadership groups in the community.

Massachusetts Brewers Guild

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 14:33:33 GMT

Black Brew Dialogues Episode One: White Lion Brewing Co.

A conversation with Collin Knight, a Roslindale resident and craft beer lover, as he tours breweries to hear their start-up stories, meets with owners and brewers, and has candid conversations over beers about breweries' diversity and inclusion efforts.

Latina's Equal Pay | 2021 EqualPayMA Roundtables

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:24:57 GMT

Community Partnership Chat: Waleska Lugo-DeJesús, CEO, Inclusive Strategies

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 14:24:18 GMT

In the latest community partnership chat, hear from Adriana Dawson, Director of Community Engagement at Verizon, and Waleska Lugo-DeJesús, CEO of Inclusive Strategies, as they discuss Waleska’s distinguished career of social justice and racial advocacy in Massachusetts and the work she is currently leading.

Arts Equity Impact: How YOU Can Lead Change In Your Organization

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:32:21 GMT

Inclusive Strategies partnering with Springfield Cultural Partnership Inc. and Leadership Pioneer Valley to help understand how we can use the Arts & Culture as a racial equity and accessibility tool to make an impact.

Thom Fox interviews Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, CEO of Inclusive Strategies

info@wildappledesigngroup.com (Eric Belliveau) — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 14:26:42 GMT

Thom Fox interviews Waleska Lugo-DeJesus. Waleska Lugo-DeJesus is the CEO of Inclusive Strategies, LLC and during COVID-19 she has been putting her 18-years of diversity consulting to good use as many companies tackle workplace inequities. Waleska shares why diversity and inclusion is growing in importance, and how organizations are evolving to include more voices in the conversation on equality.

Navigating the White Male Workplace

info@wildappledesigngroup.com (Eric Belliveau) — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 22:58:39 GMT

In order for us to change a conversation and change a work culture, we must hear the different “truths” from all participants. And we must listen to understand, to see what we can do, in the small moments and the big moments, to create and support change. How can each of us learn from one another and provide support, no matter if we are male or female, to reach our full potential?

Board Diversity: a Seat at the Table

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:46:34 GMT

Waleska Lugo De Jesus: TEDxSpringfield

What are the challenges of achieving true Board diversity? Are there better ways of achieving change on a Board? This TEDx, Board Diversity: a Seat at the Table, discusses the importance of having a diverse board, with the purpose of improving policies and procedures that lead to a successful board — thus competing with globalization. This talk focuses on ethnic, generational, and cultural dimensions of diversity; highlighting the many challenges — including resistance — which occurs when you try to achieve Board Diversity, while also weaving in a story on how you can create equity, by thinking outside the box. Waleska will share best practices for recruiting and retaining diverse board members.