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Why DEI Still Matters in 2025 | Cornelia Gamlem & Barbara Mitchell

Is DEI really dead — or just misunderstood? In this episode of Money Matters, workplace culture Experts Cornelia Gamlem and Barbara Mitchell, co-authors of Essentials of Employee Engagement, challenge the headlines and reframe the DEI conversation with Clarity and strategy.

💥 Cold Open Preview:
“People started calling DEI bad, evil, even discriminatory… and it’s none of those things if you truly understand it.”
– Cornelia Gamlem

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why DEI got distorted — and what it really means in today’s workplace

How inclusion, not perks, drives employee engagement

What Gen Z expects from company culture

Why listening is the most underused leadership skill

Real-world examples of companies winning (or losing) the culture game

How disengagement silently shrinks your talent pool

The one action any leader can take this week to re-engage their team

00:00 – Cold Open: DEI is not evil
01:05 – Why DEI still matters in 2025
03:22 – What engagement really means (beyond perks)
06:18 – How Gen Z is reshaping culture
09:50 – The cost of disengagement
13:44 – Inclusion: misunderstood but essential
17:10 – What a fully engaged employee looks like
21:33 – Listening: the underrated leadership superpower
25:12 – Real-world example of a culture turnaround
27:00 – Final leadership advice you can apply today

📘 Get the book → Essentials of Employee Engagement on Amazon
🔗 Connect with the guests:
👉 Cornelia Gamlem on LinkedIn

👉 Barbara Mitchell on LinkedIn

🌐 Website: https://bigbookofhr.com

💡 If you care about culture, retention, leadership, or HR strategy — this conversation is a must-listen.

#DEI #EmployeeEngagement #Leadership #InclusionMatters #MoneyMattersPodcast #HRStrategy #WorkplaceCulture #Podcast

With over two decades in the financial services realm, Christopher Hensley's journey has been driven by a singular passion: helping individuals navigate the intricate paths of finance to achieve their life aspirations. His dedication isn't just rooted in numbers and strategies; it's about making genuine connections and empowering people with the knowledge they need for a secure future.

Christopher's foundation in the industry is robust. He's collaborated with Fortune 500 frontrunners like Merrill Lynch and UBS Financial Services and has made significant contributions to non-profits, notably with MMI-Consumer Credit Counselors Southwest. His credentials, including licenses from FINRA and designations like the Retirement Income Certified Professional® and the Certified Estate and Trust Specialist™, speak volumes about his commitment to professional growth and expertise.

But beyond the certificates and affiliations, what truly sets Christopher apart is his ability to communicate. For a decade, he's been the voice behind the radio/podcast show “Money Matters” on KPFT Houston, demystifying complex financial concepts for a broad audience. His insights have been sought after by platforms like Wall Street Journal Radio and 1110 KTEK Business Builders Network Radio, and he's provided expert commentary on market trends in renowned publications.

Christopher's community involvement further underscores his dedication. As the former President of the Houston Midtown Chapter of the Society for Financial Awareness, he's delivered financial literacy seminars across Houston and the Gulf Coast. He's also been an active voice in Houston Money Week since 2008, currently holding a leadership position.