All Inclusive with Natasha Rainey

Why You Don’t Need a Title to Lead

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Chela Gage, Talent & Inclusion Consultant and Executive Coach at Oli Strategies, to explore a bold truth: your title doesn’t define your impact.
Chela opens up about her personal journey—from growing up in foster care to leading global teams in HR and DEI—and why stepping away from a C-suite role led her to a deeper purpose, the 1 Million Foster Initiative.
This is a must-listen for anyone navigating change, questioning their role, or looking to lead with authenticity and intention.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
Connect with Chela Gage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelagage/
Learn more about 1 Million Fosters: https://www.1millionfosters.com/
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction01:35 – Chela’s Journey from Foster Care to Corporate Leadership06:45 – The 7 Keys to Building Resilient, Inclusive Teams15:22 – What to Do When You Lose the Title24:30 – Why Purpose Matters More Than Position31:10 – The Story Behind One Million Fosters39:55 – Final Message: How to Lead from Wherever You Are

How to Build a Culture That Women Don’t Want to Leave

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Sara Gene “SG” Houtman, Chief People Officer at Truly Free, to unpack how one company is redefining what it means to support women at work—from stay-at-home moms to senior leaders. We explore what makes Truly Free’s culture so unique, the leadership practices that drive retention, and why hiring "like-hearted" people is at the core of inclusion. SG also shares her own powerful career journey from customer service to the C-suite, offering candid reflections on imposter syndrome, mentorship, and the importance of being given room to fail—and grow.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
Connect with Sara Gene "SG" Houtman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-gene/
Learn more about Truly Free: https://trulyfree.com/ 👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast 👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/ Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction
01:35 - SG’s journey from stay-at-home mom to CPO
04:48 - Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence
10:35 - The role of mentorship and honest feedback
15:40 - What makes Truly Free’s culture inclusive
20:32 - Supporting working moms and women into leadership
29:00 - Advice for building truly inclusive workplaces

How to Extend Inclusion Beyond Office Walls

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Brandy, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Canada Post, to explore what it really takes to embed inclusion across one of the country’s largest and most complex organizations.
Many DEI professionals face the challenge of engaging remote or deskless employees—but what happens when the majority of your workforce can’t be reached by email at all? Brandy shares how she’s transforming workplace culture through grassroots champions, mailed communication, and a deep commitment to storytelling, transparency, and community.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
Connect with Brandy Ryan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-ryan-dei-hr/
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/

Why Intelligence Alone Won’t Get You Ahead at Work

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Carice Anderson, leadership coach and author of Intelligence Isn’t Enough, to discuss why intelligence alone isn’t enough to thrive in today’s workplace.
Many professionals believe that working hard and excelling at their jobs will naturally lead to success. But the reality? Building strong relationships, mastering emotional intelligence, and understanding workplace dynamics are just as—if not more—important.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
📚 Grab a copy of Carice's book - Intelligence Isn't Enough: A Black Professional’s Guide to Thriving in the Workplace
🚀 Level up your career with Carice’s new course – learn more here 
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/ Episode Highlights00:00 - Introduction & Carice’s Journey03:00 - Why Intelligence Alone Isn’t Enough07:15 - The Power of Relationships & Emotional Intelligence12:30 - Navigating Workplace Conflict & Toxic Environments18:40 - Building a Strong Personal Brand & Career Strategy24:10 - Carice’s Course & Practical Career Growth Tips29:30 - Final Takeaways & Advice for Professionals

How to Protect Workplace Culture While Scaling Fast

In today’s episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Anish Padinjaroote, Vice President of Culture, People and Brand experience at Fractal.
Anish shares how companies can scale without losing the essence of their workplace culture. As businesses grow, maintaining trust, transparency, and employee engagement becomes a challenge—so how do you keep culture intact while expanding? Anish reveals practical strategies to embed culture at every level, create leadership-driven engagement, and foster a thriving workplace that fuels both employee happiness and business success.
 
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
📲 Connect with Anish Padinjaroote - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anishpadinjaroote/
 
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction & Meet Anish Padinjaroote 02:30 - Why Culture Is a Business Driver, Not Just an HR Function 07:15 - The Power of Trust, Transparency & Freedom in Workplace Culture 12:40 - How Fractal Embeds Culture Into Every Stage of Growth 18:20 - Rethinking Leadership: Happy Leaders → Happy Employees 24:50 - The Role of Workplace Rituals in Scaling Culture 31:10 - Key Takeaways for Leaders & How to Build a Thriving Culture

The Key to Unlocking Workforce Potential

In today’s episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Sabrin Chowdhury, Global Head of Inclusion & Diversity at PIMCO. Sabrin dives into the power of workplace culture and inclusion, sharing how micro-inclusions can drive macro impact, and how organizations can unlock their workforce’s full potential by embedding inclusive behaviors into everyday interactions.
She reveals practical strategies to help leaders create environments where diverse perspectives thrive, ensuring that innovation, engagement, and productivity flourish. Sabrin also discusses the role of unconscious bias, how to manage it effectively, and why measuring inclusion is the key to long-term progress.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
 
📲 Connect with Sabrin Chowdhury - https://www.linkedin.com/in/schowdhury/
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - Sabrin’s Journey into DEI Leadership
05:00 - The Role of Workplace Culture in Unlocking Potential
10:20 - Why diverse perspectives fuel better decision-making.
15:40 - Overcoming Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
21:00 - How tracking inclusion efforts leads to real impact.
26:30 - Future-Proofing Your Workforce

How to Build Inclusive Workplaces with AI & ERGs

In today’s episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Jyl Feliciano, Global Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Highspot. Jyl dives into the evolution of DEI, sharing how organizations can move beyond surface-level initiatives to truly embed equity and inclusion into their core business strategies.
She reveals practical strategies for weaving DEI into leadership, recruitment, and workplace culture while leveraging AI and technology to scale inclusion efforts. Jyl also discusses the current political and social climate, how companies are navigating the resistance to DEI, and what the future holds for inclusive workplace strategies.
 
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
 
📲 Connect with Jyl Feliciano - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyl-feliciano-mba-she-her-07026957/
 
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction
02:40 - From Operations to DEI: Jyl’s Career Path
07:15 - The Changing Landscape of DEI
13:10 - Making DEI a Business Imperative
19:00 - The Power of AI & Data in DEI
25:30 - Employee Communities & Equity in the Workplace
33:20 - The Future of DEI & Final Thoughts

Why Financial Well-Being Should Be a Workplace Priority

In today’s episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Tiffany ‘The Budgetnista’ Aliche, an award-winning financial educator helping millions achieve financial freedom, and Nadine Bullock-Pottinga, CEO of Paradigm for Parity, a coalition dedicated to closing racial and gender gaps in corporate leadership.
Tiffany and Nadine dive into the financial struggles employees face—especially Black women—and why companies must take financial well-being seriously. They reveal how financial stress impacts workplace productivity, retention, and career advancement, and share practical steps companies can take to support their employees' financial health.
 
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
 
📲 Connect with Nadine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-bullock-pottinga/
Connect with Tiffany -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebudgetnista/
 
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn:   / natasha-rainey-  
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction
06:30 - The Inspiration Behind 'The Invisible Weight' Report
10:45 - The Reality of Financial Stress for Women in the Workplace
14:30 - Why Employees Don't Talk About Their Financial Struggles
18:15 - Creating a Workplace Culture of Financial Safety
27:10 - The Importance of Pay Equity & Wage Audits
30:50 - The Power of Community & Financial Literacy
34:20 - How Companies Can Support Women of Color
38:00 - Leveraging External Partnerships for Employee Support
41:30 - Looking Ahead: The Future of Financial Well-Being

What Most Leaders Get Wrong About DEI

In today’s episode of The All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Rosalyn Taylor O’Neal, a globally recognized expert on leadership, workplace culture, and inclusion. Rosalyn dives into the biggest mistakes leaders make when it comes to fostering an inclusive work environment and shares practical strategies to create a culture where everyone feels valued and heard.
She reveals how leadership behaviors shape workplace culture, how to identify and break down hidden barriers in policies and practices, and why curiosity and accountability are the missing links in most inclusion efforts.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
 
📲 Connect with Rosalyn Taylor O’Neal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtonealegroup/
 
📚 Get Rosalyn Taylor O’Neal’s Book - “Seven Keys to Success: Nothing’s Changed but Everything’s Different” → https://amzn.to/4hoon66
 
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction
02:10 - Rosalyn’s Journey & The Evolution of DEI 
12:40 - How Leaders Shape Workplace Culture 
23:55 - Breaking Down Workplace Inequities 
35:10 - The Role of Curiosity, Empathy & Accountability 
46:30 - Making DEI a Business Imperative 
55:20 - Final Advice & How to Stay Connected 

What’s Stopping Women in Tech from Thriving?

In today’s episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Susanne Kirndorfer, former Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Europe) at ThoughtWorks. Susanne dives into breaking barriers for women in tech, sharing how to navigate systemic biases, champion inclusion in leadership, and create equitable workplace cultures.
She reveals practical strategies to bridge the gap between mentorship and sponsorship, foster inclusive environments, and implement accountability measures for leaders, highlighting how organizations can move beyond performative DEI efforts to drive real change. Susanne also discusses the impact of gender stereotypes in tech, the role of allyship, and why inclusion must be a shared responsibility across all levels of an organization.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of today’s leading voices in workplace inclusion and equity!
 
Connect with Susanne Kirndofer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-kirndorfer/
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction
04:30 - What’s Holding Women in Tech Back?09:20 - The Sponsorship Gap: Why Mentorship Isn’t Enough15:10 - Breaking Stereotypes & Building Inclusive Workplaces22:45 - Measuring Progress: How to Track Real Inclusion30:50 - Leadership’s Role in Driving Change40:20 - The Future of Women in Tech & Final Thoughts