Develop Inclusive Leader Competencies among WellSpan’s 1,500 leaders.

WellSpan’s intentional DEI focus began under the leadership of the organization’s first female CEO in May 2019, with the appointment of a strategic leader, the creation of a DEI Steering Committee, and the formation of a DEI strategic plan. Inclusive leader development began in shared learning opportunities at the Executive Summit level (80 leaders) and larger Leadership Forum level (1,500 leaders), first with an introduction to implicit bias and the call to action to take an Implicit Association Test. Leaders were also encouraged to read “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People” by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald. More recently, leaders have strengthened their Inclusive Leader competency by reading Jennifer Brown’s book, “How to be an Inclusive Leader: your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive” and they have been required at the Executive Summit level (or encouraged at the Leadership Forum level) to take an Inclusive Leader self-assessment. Executive Summit Leaders also participated in an intensive inclusive leader training provided by D&I consultant, Courage to Care.

Since 2019, WellSpan’s 1,500 leaders (managers and up) have received customized diversity, equity and inclusion education a minimum of three times a year at WellSpan’s Leadership Forums. WellSpan Executive Summit Leaders (80+ leaders) have received more intensive education and training an additional two times a year and have completed reading and self-assessment requirements.