By Beth Birmingham , Eeva Sallinen Simard and Ann Boyd

Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard: Creating Cultures of Belonging

"We both want a space to belong with whatever leadership style we bring to the table and not have to spend our days as so many women do assessing who’s in the room and figuring out what chameleon strategy to have in order to blend in, fit in, and not ruffle anyone feathers.... Can there be a place for all of our different styles?" — Eeva Sallinen Simard

Authors Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard talk with us about the ways workplace cultures can inhibit the flourishing of women, the strategic importance of women’s contributions, and a framework for repair.

A joyful announcement: this is our 100th episode of the podcast! Will you celebrate with us by rating and reviewing this podcast? If you need some tips, we crafted a "how-to" article for you.

For our 100th episode, let me invite you into a conversation with Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard, authors of Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. In this book, Eeva and Beth explore the challenges that women frequently encounter in workplace cultures that inhibit personal flourishing, and then they offer a clear and systemic framework for transforming these cultures into places where people who feel marginalized can experience the kind of belonging that results in growth for individuals and the organization. Beth and Eeva approach this topic with infectious energy and enthusiasm, and our conversation is full of very practical ideas for listeners like you! Don’t miss the bonus content in the last ten minutes where Beth and Eeva share some practical strategies they have used to balance caregiving duties with their careers.

So have a listen! We're so glad you're here.

— Ann Boyd

You can listen on iTunes or at The Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Further resources for this interview:

 

 

Photo by Sarah Pflug on StockSnap

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About the Author

Beth Birmingham is an NGO leadership and organizational consultant, development researcher, trainer, and former tenured professor (Eastern University). She is cofounder of BE Development Partners, a consulting firm that trains organizations to develop belonging cultures. Beth holds a PhD in leadership and change and an MBA in economic development, and she currently serves as a member of Wheaton’s Consortium on Gender, Development, and Christianity.

Eeva Sallinen Simard is the project director (chief of party) at SCOPE Project at World Relief and has more than ten years of experience working with missional NGOs from research to ministry. She is cofounder of BE Development Partners, a consulting firm that trains organizations to develop belonging cultures. Eeva holds an MSc in international politics from the University of Helsinki and an MBA from John Hopkins University, and she is a coconvener of the Wheaton Consortium for Development, Gender, and Christianity.

Ann is the Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast host and the managing editor for The Well. She has worked for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 1997, exploring her interests in community, spiritual formation, and writing. Ann has a BM in Music Education from Northwestern University and lives in Chicago, Illinois with one husband, two spunky teenage daughters, and three snuggly cats. You’ll often find Ann baking sweet treats in the kitchen while listening to a podcast or audiobook.

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