Eunice B. Gwanmesia, PhD, MSN, MSHCA, RN is a Registered nurse turned Certified Executive Coach and a Diversity and Inclusion Strategist. A passionate advocate of embracing diversity and cultural inclusion as a strength. She speaks with the authority of first-hand experience struggling with cultural changes and a life-changing event that sent her on a trajectory of finding her purpose in life and, ultimately, to her role as coach and keynote speaker. Dr. Eunice B. Gwanmsia is the CEO of Eunity Solutions. They are hosting their third annual DEI Conference on 9/18 from 11 am-2pm. The theme this year is: Creating a sustainable impact in the workplace. Join the event here: www.eventbrite.com/e/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-conference-tickets-159072352689
FWM: You are a Certified Executive Coach and a Diversity and Inclusion Strategist. Why are clients coming to you today?
Yes, thank you for this great question. As a certified executive coach and a D & I strategist, I teach executives and business leaders who lack the understanding of the power of inclusion how to leverage diverse talent and create inclusive workplace culture so that they can improve team performance, increase retention, improve internal and external customer relations, improve employee engagement, experience positive growth and return on investment.
FWM: What will people notice when working with you?
When working with my company, the results will speak for itself. We work on creating a pathway starting from the current culture of your company and working together to achieve the culture the company is striving for with a step-by-step guide turning challenges in to growth opportunities. Our goal is always to see an increase by percentage in outcome areas such as improving job satisfaction and retention by a percentage within a determined timeframe.
FWM: “Passionate global diversity champion driven by life experiences.” Explain.
I am the CEO of Eunity Solutions, and I founded this company out of passion. I developed this passion at the age of 21 when I flunked out of college because I refused to learn another language. This failure taught me about being culturally responsive. My parents gave me a second chance in life and sent me to Canada to study dental therapy. I successfully completed the program and earned a job. However, I still failed at a second chance in building my cultural responsibility by not allowing my Canadian brothers and sisters to embrace my differences so we could learn from each other and grow together. So, I ended up leaving Canada disheartened and lonely thinking I was going to a place where I’d see people that looked like me. I quickly realize upon arrival that I was not looking for people that looked like me, but I was looking for a place to call home. I would eventually make home in Delaware and the challenges continued. This move to Delaware lead me to an encounter where I was told not to apply for a job because of my accent, being a woman and an immigrant as though these were predeterminants to a job opportunity. I have also been that nurse who has two master’s degrees and a PhD, but some of my patients still ask for me to call for their nurse when I had introduced myself to them. In addition, I have been cursed by many patients in my 23 years of nursing. One called me the Jamaica “B**” word while taking care of him. All of these experiences and others give me the passion and experience to do what I love.
In this journey, I ended up starting an annual celebration of Cultural Heritage in an institution of higher learning where I taught for 13 years. For these 13 years I did what I needed to do, got somethings changed. I realized at that moment that change needed to come and why not be a part of the change. People always say, you are either a part of the problem or a part of the solution. And I made the decision that I will be a part of the solution, So I founded Eunity Solutions because I had dealt with many leaders who were struggling and lacked the understanding of the power of Diversity and Inclusion and the knowledge of how to start the D & I journey. This journey is ongoing as my company help others through conferences, workshops, seminars and online courses and coaching.
FWM: What was a pivotal moment in your life?
I have had many pivotal moments in my life from my personal life to career experiences. It was very clear to me that if I have chosen to always be a part of the solution and not the problem, I have to engage in a career path that will help to educate, empower, and elevate others through my experiences. I believe that in life you must stand for something because if you do not then you can easily fall for anything or everything. I also believe that in anything you do, you must have guiding principles or a self-care plan to help you get through those challenges. I for one have what I call Dr. G’s 5P principles of Success: Purpose, Passion, Patience, Persistence and Perseverance. These 5Ps have help me along my journey to bounce back from my challenges.
FWM: Tell us about your upcoming third annual DEI Conference on 9/18 from 11 am-2pm.
This Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference is designed to engage, educate, equip, and elevate attendees with best practice strategies to build diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture where everyone thrives and has a sense of belonging. Embracing cultural differences and treating one another with respect and dignity regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background is crucial in building inclusive cultures. At Eunity Solutions, we believe that your “cultural identity is a hidden treasure, and that it takes a village to accomplish massive goals.”
The theme for 2021 is “Creating Sustainable Impact in the Workplace” Our goal is to provide a platform for thought leaders and experts from diverse backgrounds and experiences to share insights and concepts about best practice strategies to build an inclusive workplace culture where everyone has a voice on the table.
This year’s conference is most exciting because, we will also be launching and raising finds for our charity organization, The Caregiver Support Foundation, Inc. whose mission is to provide support and resources for caregivers to avoid burnout so that they can achieve the highest level of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing while taking care of their loved ones and patients.
FWM: Who are your leading experts for your conference?
We have curated a phenomenal line up of experts from a diverse background to include cross-cultural coach, a life coach, a leader from the corporate sector and a leader from healthcare industry. Out speakers include Laura Kriska, Pastor Nancy Dozier, Dr. Gina Miranda Diaz and Luis Santiago. This panel will be moderated by Coach Troy Farmer and Mistress of ceremony will be Coach Linda Arrey.
FWM: What Attendees will learn:
According to 84% of human resource professionals, Diversity and Inclusion is a strategic opportunity rather than a problem to be solved. Also, SHRM research, states that 25% of Americans don’t feel respected and valued at work and 1 in 5 workers leave a job due to workplace culture.
• How to have respectful, dignified, and brave conversations with diverse employees and customers.
• Meaningful metrics for measuring diversity and inclusion
.• Best practice strategies to design and implement sustainable D & I initiatives and programs for your organization’s corporate culture
.• What internal and external customers want from an organization that is focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Learn mechanisms other organizations are using to manage and measure the successes of their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
For this event we will have a panel discussion with diversity, equity and inclusion thought leaders and experts from diverse background sharing their experiences, key diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and strategies used to create inclusive culture at their place of work, as well as lessons learned.
FWM: You are the Author of “Cultural Awareness: A Strategy that Can Influence Your Journey To Success. What are key points from your book?
In this book, I share the story of a little girl from the cornfields of Cameroon and how she overcame her challenges along the way by falling back on her 5P success formula.
Some key point:
- Believe in your identity and know that your cultural identity is a hidden treasure
- Use your hurt to heal and inspire others
- Connect and collaborate with likeminded people and communities
- Develop an attitude of gratitude to make a positive impact in life.
This book can be found on Amazon and Eunity Solutions website www.eunitysolutions.com
FWM: You will be launching The Caregiver Support Foundation, Inc. Tell us about the initiatives.
The Caregiver Support Foundation is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization registered in the state of Delaware. We are committed to providing family and professional caregivers with the support and resources they need to avoid stress and burnout.
Our goal is to help them achieve the highest level of physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, so that they can not only lead a happier life, but also perform at their best while they take on the important responsibility of taking care of their family and patients.
Our VISION
Becoming a powerful nonprofit organization in our quest of empowering family and professional caregivers, by providing them with access to the assistance and resources they need to unwind their physical and mental health.
We aim to create a positive impact in our community, by taking care of those who take care of us, significantly improving their quality of life and their job performance as a result.
Some of our initiatives/programs will include: Put your Mask On First Caregiver Retreat, Respite Care Services, End of Life Support Services, Mentoring and Caregiver Support groups. Etc.
Please share your social media handles/video
https://www.facebook.com/eunicegwanmesia75
https://www.facebook.com/Eunitysolutions
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-eunice-gwanmesia-91467070/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/69428456/admin/
https://www.instagram.com/eunity.solutions
https://www.instagram.com/dreunice.gwanmesia
website: www.eunitysolutions.com
