In the two years since George Floyd’s murder resparked the Black Lives Matter movement, many businesses who tried to improve diversity and inclusion structures have faced burnout, backlash, and other barriers to accomplishing equity goals. As organizations begin to recognize the urgency of anti-racism work, they are finding it to be deeply complex and long-term.
Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham is a key leader – perhaps the leader in Central Massachusetts – in guiding businesses to better diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. As the owner of an independent business, Promoting Good LLC, Zolezzi-Wyndham is unafraid to give honest feedback to businesses, facilitate difficult dialogue, and even conclude partnerships when she feels an organization is not ready to make necessary changes. She counts some of the largest and most influential organizations as her clients, including UMass Memorial Health Care, Webster Five, and the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services.
She holds strong partnerships throughout the nonprofit sector, and this year led an equity cohort of nonprofit leaders in partnership with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, aimed at helping organizations enact structural equity changes. Zolezzi-Wyndham is a powerful leader within Greater Worcester’s Latinx community, and co-led the inaugural Dia de los Muertos celebration in November focused on the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the Latinx community.
What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? This community is small, and it is a space where one can make a difference, though it is harder for some of us than for others. I have met and built friendships with amazing human beings in this community. It is a special place.
Building strength: I am a member of the Prototype Barbell Club, where I practice Olympic weightlifting.
