In today’s episode, Ashanti Bentil-Dhue interviews Maria Morukian, an inspiring leader with nearly two decades of experience in the realm of organisational development, with a keen focus on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and intercultural competence. With a relentless drive to build bridges across the landscape of our differences, Maria shares insights into the systemic challenges and barriers often obstructing the path to DEI in organisations.

“But really my drive, my focus, my purpose is to build connections with individuals and groups, especially across the landscape of our differences so that we are better equipped to be able to address the systemic challenges and barriers that so often get in the way and are perpetuated when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Episode Highlights: 

● The importance of diversifying influences and content

● The importance of self-work in training and talent development

● The importance of listening to multiple perspectives

About Maria Morukian:

 

Maria Morukian is a recognized organisational development practitioner specialising in training, coaching, and facilitation with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and intercultural competence. Maria is the President of MSM Global Consulting, and an adjunct faculty member at American University’s School of International Service. She previously served in leadership and organisational development positions at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Federal Executive Institute and the U.S. Department of State. She has also served in leadership positions at Management Concepts and the National MultiCultural Institute. 

 

Maria has trained and coached thousands of individuals around the world to build practices for better communication, foster competent and respectful workplaces, and navigate conflict for meaningful culture change. She has worked with such diverse clients as PBS Distribution, the National Park Service, National Institutes of Health, the World Bank, and the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.

Maria is a sought after speaker and has presented at numerous events, including TEDx, the Forum on Workplace Inclusion, the Association for Talent Development, Blacks in Government, and Ellevate Women’s Network. Her work has been published in Forbes, the Association for Talent Development’s Public Manager, and she is author of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Trainers: Fostering DEI in the Workplace (ATD, 2022).  

Maria is host of the podcast Culture Stew, which focuses on the multidimensionality of identity and best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

 

Maria earned a dual Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan in Organisational Studies and Spanish, and a Master’s Degree from American University in International Communication. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters. She is an avid runner, dancer, reader, traveller, and lover of theatre.  

 

Socials:

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-morukian

https://www.linkedin.com/company/msm-global-consulting

 

Instagram:

mariamorukian

msm_global

 

Facebook:

Maria Morukian

MSM Global Consulting

 

Twitter:

@MariaMorukian

@GlobalMsm

 

Podcast: Culture Stew is on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Libsyn, and Audible

If you would like to apply to be a guest on the show email: operations@goodsoilleaders.com

 

If you would like to schedule a capability briefing call with our team, email: operations@goodsoilleaders.com 

 

If you would like to apply for DEI PRO Coaching, email:

operations@goodsoilleaders.com 

Stay Connected with Ashanti: 

LinkedIn: Ashanti Bentil-Dhue