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.

• (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

• 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.

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.

• More episodes at:

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.

• (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

• 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.

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.

• 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

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

In this episode of Room at the Table, Betsy Cerulo speaks with Nedra Dickson, Managing Director of Global Supplier Inclusion and Sustainability at Accenture, discussing the concept of legacy and the impact of supplier diversity. They explore how collaboration, mentorship, and inclusivity can create meaningful, long-term success for small businesses and communities.

Get the full show notes and more resources at RoomAtTheTablePodcast.com