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Room at the Table: Building Culture by Breaking Barriers

Room at the Table: Building Culture by Breaking Barriers

Auteur(s): Betsy Cerulo
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Gather around the table for insightful conversations focused on building heart-centered workplaces that thrive on equality, inclusive workplaces, and exceptional leadership. Betsy Cerulo (she/her) and her expert guests explore what it takes to transform workplace culture through thoughtful, meaningful dialogues that drive real social impact. Each engaging episode of Room at the Table Podcast gets to the core principles of creating a heart-centered workplace. Through inspiring conversations, listeners will discover the critical role that inclusive workplaces play in achieving equality and enhancing workplace culture. Betsy and her diverse guests share powerful strategies to help leaders rise above mediocrity, fostering an environment of genuine inclusivity and significant social impact. Whether discussing compassionate leadership, the impact of inclusive workplaces on employee satisfaction, or addressing burnout and stress management, each episode emphasizes practical ways to cultivate a thriving workplace culture. Betsy’s expert guests provide tangible advice on how to implement meaningful changes that support both individual and organizational growth, reinforcing the values of equality and heart-centered leadership. Listeners will find rich, actionable insights on fostering emotional authenticity, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and supporting disability inclusion in inclusive workplaces. Each conversation highlights the transformative power of equality, effective leadership, and workplace culture that prioritizes empathy, respect, and community engagement. Room at the Table also explores the powerful journeys of women in leadership, providing inspiration and guidance on how to break down barriers and achieve greater equality in the workplace. Episodes dedicated to navigating grief and loss underline the importance of compassion and understanding within heart-centered workplaces, reinforcing the value of empathy-driven leadership. Economic empowerment and financial equality are also central themes, demonstrating how inclusive workplaces drive both organizational success and broader social impact. Leaders will gain valuable insights into leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to build sustainable, thriving organizations that positively impact communities. Room at the Table Podcast is essential listening for leaders and team members dedicated to cultivating heart-centered workplaces. Betsy Cerulo and her expert guests offer clear pathways for creating inclusive workplaces where equality is prioritized, leadership is impactful, and the overall workplace culture significantly contributes to positive social impact. Subscribe now to Room at the Table Podcast and join a growing community committed to equality, inclusive workplaces, and leadership that transforms workplace culture into environments of empowerment, empathy, and enduring social impact. About the Host: Betsy Cerulo is the CEO of AdNet/AccountNet, a successful certified LGBTE, WBE and 8(a) management consulting firm focused on professional staffing and executive search, based in Baltimore, Maryland, and Co-Founder of the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Betsy is the author of Miss Crabapple and Her Magical Violin, a children's book that was inspired by lighting up a dream for a child through their imagination. She is also a contributing author of two compilations: Women Living Consciously and Keys to Conscious Business Growth. Betsy lives in Baltimore with her wife, Susan, and their treasured Weimaraner, Grace Kelly. Their son and daughter-in-law, daughter, and three grandchildren complete the picture with lots of love, creativity, and laughter. Company Website: https://www.adnetp3.com/ Personal Website: betsycerulo.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsycerulo/ Shake it Off Leadership: https://books.google.ca/books/about/Shake_It_Off_Leadership.html?id=tZ3fxwEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description&redir_esc=yCopyright 2025 Betsy Cerulo Développement commercial et entrepreneuriat Entrepreneurship Gestion et leadership Relations Sciences sociales Économie
Épisodes
  • The Abilities of People w/ Developmental Disabilities
    Jul 15 2025

    Today on Room at the Table, Laura Howell and Mat Rice discuss the critical work they do for people with developmental disabilities in Maryland. They share insights on navigating funding shifts, advocating for rights, and combating misinformation. The conversation highlights the importance of treating those with disabilities with respect and dignity. Laura, representing Maryland Association of Community Services, and Mat, the Executive Director of People on the Go Maryland, detail their organizations' efforts to secure funding, provide support, and educate the public. They emphasize the power of grassroots advocacy and the recent victory in restoring over a billion dollars in budget cuts. The podcast underscores the need for inclusive workplaces and encourages listeners to support and advocate for people with disabilities.

    Timestamps:
    • (00:00) Intro: Creating equitable and inclusive workplaces for all
    • (01:27) Navigating state and federal funding shifts for disability organizations
    • (06:28) People on the Go's anti-fascism training
    • (15:58) Developmental disabilities in today’s society
    • (18:50) Advocacy wins and challenges in Maryland
    • (26:59) Maryland as model employer for disability inclusion
    • (33:31) How listeners can support people with disabilities
    • (37:15) Closing remarks and a call to action

    Key Takeaways:
    • Grassroots Advocacy Power: The developmental disabilities community has an incredibly strong grassroots advocacy movement, rooted in parents' historical fight against institutionalization. This movement now includes self-advocates with disabilities, creating a powerful force for change.
    • Budget Battle Victory: In a remarkable advocacy effort, the developmental disabilities community in Maryland successfully restored over $1 billion in funding cuts. This unprecedented win demonstrates the impact of unified, persistent grassroots action.
    • Rethinking Job Requirements: Outdated job descriptions often include unnecessary physical requirements that exclude qualified candidates with disabilities. Employers should critically examine these requirements to ensure they're not missing out on talented individuals.
    • People with developmental disabilities are part of every conceivable human group. We support the whole person, including all aspects of their identity. It's crucial that organizations can provide inclusive support without having to hide or change how they assist people due to political pressures or funding concerns.

    Guest Bio:

    Mat Rice currently serves as the executive director and advocacy coordinator at People On the Go Maryland (People On the Go). He is a disability advocate and former student at the Maryland School for the Blind and Parkville High School. Mat has served as a support broker and administrative support assistant for Shared Support Maryland, Inc. where he worked for over four years.

    Mr. Rice was formerly the public policy director and project lead for the Empowering Partners self-advocacy initiative at The Arc Maryland. He also served as the public policy specialist for People On the Go. Mr. Rice has been instrumental in educating legislators on issues which impact the quality of life for people with disabilities in Maryland.

    As a leader in the community, he served as the lead facilitator on the Equal Employment Coalition to help pass the Ken Capone Equal Employment Act. Additionally, Mr. Rice served as a board member of Maryland Association of Community Services and MD Works, Inc., and he currently serves as the chair of the Developmental Disabilities Administration Quality Advisory Council.

    Since 2003, Laura Howell has served as the CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS), a non-profit association of over 120 agencies providing community-based support for people with intellectual and developmental...

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    38 min
  • How Leaders Successfully Navigate Chaos with Dr. Steve Yacovelli
    Jun 15 2025

    What does it mean to be a great leader? How can great leaders incorporate leadership, diversity, inclusion, LGBTQ+ advocacy and resilience into their workplace culture?

    Today on “Room At The Table”, Betsy Cerulo sits down with Dr. Steve Yacovelli (“The Gay Leadership Dude®”) to discuss how strong, inclusive leaders navigate chaos and foster belonging in today’s political climate.

    Dr. Yacovelli shares actionable strategies for building resilience, leading through uncertainty, and communicating with empathy. From managing emotional responses to addressing pushback on DEI initiatives, this episode offers a roadmap for leaders committed to positive change.

    This episode concludes with a message of hope, citing data showing increasing LGBTQ+ identification among younger generations and their expectations for workplace inclusivity. Dr. Yacovelli encourages leaders to engage in respectful conversations with those who disagree and to continue prioritizing diversity and inclusion efforts despite current challenges. Tune in today for insights, strategies, and a hopeful look at the future of inclusive leadership.

    Timestamps:
    • (00:00) Intro: Creating equitable and inclusive workplaces
    • (05:30) Top three strategies for building resilience
    • (10:47) Self-awareness and emotional intelligence in leadership
    • (16:47) Impacts of current climate on diversity programs
    • (21:19) The five layers of diversity model explained
    • (27:16) Navigating inclusivity challenges in organizations
    • (31:55) Gen Z's impact on future workplace diversity
    • (36:44) Closing thoughts and contact information

    Key Takeaways:
    • Resilient leadership is crucial in times of chaos. Leaders need to focus on developing a positive perspective, maintaining a healthy self-concept, and getting comfortable with uncertainty. By strengthening these "resiliency muscles," we can better navigate change and help our teams do the same.
    • Diversity goes far beyond surface-level characteristics. The five layers of diversity model shows that diversity encompasses personality, internal dimensions, external dimensions, organizational dimensions, and country of operation. Understanding this broader definition helps create more inclusive workplaces and societies.
    • In challenging times for DEI initiatives, we must be strategic and adaptable. While some organizations are pulling back publicly, many are still doing important work behind the scenes. As leaders, we need to assess the situation, decide whether to fight or pivot, and find creative ways to continue fostering inclusion, even if it means reframing our approach.

    Guest Bio: Dr. Steve Yacovelli

    Dr. Steve Yacovelli (a.k.a. “The Gay Leadership Dude®”) is an expert in diversity and inclusion, change management, and leadership both in and outside of the workplace. He’s worked internally for folks like The Walt Disney Company, IBM, Tupperware Brands, and several universities before starting his own consulting firm, TopDog Learning Group in 2008.

    TopDog works with both Fortune 500s and not-for-profit organizations to bring about a more inclusive and effective workplace through on-site workshops, virtual or face-to-face keynotes, 1:1 and group coaching sessions, and custom learning solutions.

    Steve’s also an award-winning author, speaker, and self proclaimed “catalyst.” His fourth award-winning and critically acclaimed book, “Pride Leadership: Strategies for LGBTQ+ Professionals to be the King or Queen of their Jungle” “came out” in June 2019, while his latest best-seller, “Your Queer Career®: Workplace Advice from ‘The Gay Leadership Dude®’” came into the world in early 2024.

    Steve’s not-so-hidden agenda is to make the world a bit more inclusive for us all.

    Resources & Mentions:
    • More episodes at:
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    39 min
  • Prospering Through Change: Women Leaders in Federal Contracting with Shelly McGuire
    May 15 2025

    Prospering Through Change: Women Leaders in Federal Contracting

    How do you prosper through change in the fast-paced world of government contracting? In this impactful episode of Room at the Table, host Betsy Cerulo speaks with Shelly McGuire, founder of Shelly’s Events and Chief Strategy Officer at Orange Slices AI, about navigating uncertainty and growth in the federal contracting space.

    Shelly shares how her career evolved from education to entrepreneurship, and how she now brings leaders together across the government contracting industry through high-impact events. This conversation explores how women in business—especially those working in federal contracting—are adapting to executive order shifts, budgeting changes, and new opportunities in federal agencies.

    Together, Betsy and Shelly dive into what it takes to be a resilient federal contractor, the importance of diversifying revenue, and how to lead with purpose in unpredictable times. If you're navigating the complexities of government contracting, seeking to expand your agency footprint, or growing as a woman in business, this episode is a must-listen.

    There's always room at the table—especially when we’re talking strategy, visibility, and impact in government contracting.

    Timestamps:
    • (00:30) Introduction to Shelly McGuire
    • (03:00) Founding Shelly’s Events during COVID
    • (07:45) Executive orders and industry impact
    • (12:00) The power of financial resilience in business
    • (18:00) Importance of diversifying revenue streams
    • (24:30) Maintaining meaningful relationships in and out of government
    • (28:00) Do’s and Don’ts to thrive in government contracting
    • (33:00) Final thoughts on leadership, legacy, and gratitude

    Key Takeaways:
    • Change is constant in government contracting—staying agile, informed, and mission-focused is non-negotiable.
    • Diversification is survival—building multiple streams of income protects against industry volatility.
    • Your network is your net worth—relationships in and out of the federal space are vital for long-term success.
    • Financial discipline is power—saving for a rainy day and managing cash flow are critical to weathering economic shifts.

    Guest Bio: Shelly McGuire

    Shelly McGuire is the founder of Shelly’s Events and Chief Strategy Officer at Orange Slices AI. With a background in education and entrepreneurship, she’s known for curating high-energy networking events that bring together federal agency professionals, contractors, and business leaders. Her mission? To foster authentic connections and help others grow their footprint in government contracting through strategic visibility and collaboration.

    Resources & Mentions:
    • Learn more about Shelly’s Events: https://www.shellysevents.com
    • Connect with Shelly on LinkedIn: Shelly McGuire
    • Explore Orange Slices AI: https://www.orangeslices.ai
    • More episodes at: roomatthetablepodcast.com

    Tags:

    Equality, Heart Centered Workplace, Workplace Culture, Government Contracting, Federal Contractors, CMS, Women in Government, Small Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Resilience, Room at the Table Podcast, Betsy Cerulo, Shelly McGuire

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    35 min

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