OUR STORY
Advance Equity Speaker Series
January 2024
Defining Colorism and Its Impact in the Workplace
January 25, 2024 at 11 am MT
What is colorism? How does colorism manifest within the workplace? Join us for a conversation with Dr. Sarah L. Webb who will define colorism, explain the systemic impact of colorism across cultures and across sectors of society, and share strategies for meaningful and sustainable action against colorism. Dr. Webb is the founder and owner of Colorism Healing. She has written and contributed to several academic and non-academic articles, presented at numerous conferences, and been featured on regional NPR stations, Forbes.com, TEDx stage, and other outlets.
Dr. Sarah L. Webb
Learn from our speakers as they share insights and perspectives on various topics.
WGU hosts the Advance Equity Speaker Series (AESS) as part of our commitment to change lives for the better by advancing equity and expanding access to opportunity. Our webinar series features guests who share insights and perspectives that foster understanding across different lived experiences.
September 2024
Believe in Your Ability to Succeed
Date: Thursday September 26, 2024
Time: 11 am MT
Join us for a conversation with Linda Alvarado who is a community leader, education advocate, CEO of Alvarado Construction, and National Women’s Hall of Famer. When Linda was rejected for a landscape laborer position for being a woman, she began a lifelong quest to prove them wrong and find success in construction. She would go on to found and run Alvarado Construction, one of the United States’ fastest growing construction companies. In addition, she became both the first Hispanic and first woman to own a Major League Baseball team.
Previous Webinars
June 2025
The Power of Creativity, Accountability, and Trust with Jim Abbott
Former MLB pitcher and Olympic gold medalist Jim Abbott recently joined us for a conversation centered on the principles that have shaped his life beyond the baseball diamond. Jim shared how creativity, accountability, and trust defined his journey, from learning to tie his shoes with one hand in third grade to pitching a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium.
May 2025
From Crisis to Courage: Unlocking Inner Strength for Breakthrough Leadership
In this inspiring Advance Equity Speaker Series event, Caleb Campbell—a West Point graduate, former Army officer, and NFL player—shared his powerful journey of resilience, leadership, and personal transformation. From his small-town Texas roots to the NFL and beyond, Caleb opened up about overcoming imposter syndrome, facing burnout, and learning to prioritize inner well-being over external success. He introduced the framework of “expanders” and emphasized the importance of cultivating the inner capacity to hold life’s weight. Through authenticity and emotional awareness, Caleb encouraged us to recognize, reframe, and respond to discomfort as a way to navigate pressure and stress.
April 2025
Through the Lens of Loss: A Conversation with Raspberry Director Julian Doan
Join us for a conversation with filmmaker Julian Doan about his acclaimed short film “Raspberry,” a 2021 Sundance Film Festival selection. In “Raspberry,” a son navigates the awkward aftermath of his father’s death. Julian will take us behind the scenes of his 7-minute film, exploring the complexities of grief, memory, and healing. Don’t miss our discussion that will reflect on the film’s themes of grief, relationships, and finding meaning in difficult moments.
March 2025
Moving Forward Together: Women Educating & Inspiring Generations
Join us for an insightful discussion with our WGU leaders as they share their journeys into leadership, the lessons they’ve learned, and strategies to support and empower future generations.
WGU Panelists:
Malika Clinkscales, VP Faculty Mentor Strategy, Office of Chief Academic Officer
Tonya Drake, RVP Northwest Regional Operations
Jennie Sanders, VP Instruction, Office of Academic Delivery
February 2025
Harnessing Your Power to Create Meaningful Change
Join us for a conversation with Derreck Kayongo, a social entrepreneur and humanitarian leader whose remarkable journey from a Ugandan refugee to a successful CEO exemplifies the power of resilience and innovation. As the founder of the Global Soap Project, Derreck transformed a simple observation about hotel waste into a groundbreaking humanitarian initiative that now provides life-saving hygiene resources across 90 countries. His insights on creative problem-solving and keen observation reveal how transformative change can spark in any environment – from corporate boardrooms to local communities. Learn how meaningful impact begins with taking responsibility and recognizing opportunities in unexpected places.
January 2025
Building the Bridge: The Transformative Power of Belonging
The Advance Equity Speaker Series hosted an inspiring conversation with filmmaker and belonging expert Denise Soler Cox. Denise highlighted the universal need for belonging and how it shapes personal transformation and connection. She shared insights on navigating the “liminal space” between where we are and where we want to be, emphasizing that belonging starts with claiming it for ourselves, embracing discomfort, and showing up authentically. She also addressed overcoming imposter syndrome, fostering personalized connections, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued.
We Welcome Your Feedback
Contact WGU's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) team for more information.
