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CENTERING THE MARGINS
The Watson Nelson Consulting Blog


When Inclusion Comes Last, Everyone Loses
oo often, leaders build systems for their own comfort, leaving others to navigate exclusion. Inclusion isn’t a kindness, it’s a power shift. We must stop retrofitting equity and start designing it from the ground up, so workplaces (and products) serve more people, not just the few.
Jun 303 min read


How to Sustain DEI When No One Wants to (or Can) Talk About It
What the DEI Landscape Looks Like Now We’re in a new chapter. Where once there were headlines about new Chief Diversity Officer...
May 154 min read


If Inclusion Feels Like an Interruption, Exclusion Was Designed In
When inclusion feels like an interruption, it’s a sign that exclusion was baked into the system from the start. This blog explores a real-world example from academia, unpacks how exclusion shows up in organizational processes, and offers actionable steps to embed equity into design. Learn how to build systems that truly work for everyone.
May 76 min read


A Line in the Sand: Higher Ed’s Collective Stand for DEI and Institutional Autonomy
In April 2025, Harvard University drew a line in the sand. Harvard rejected a federal ultimatum from the Trump administration demanding...
Apr 233 min read


From Fear to Advocacy: Forward-Thinking Leaders Can Work to Safeguard Employees Amid Rising Political Threats
There’s something deeply unsettling in the air...and your employees feel it. The tone of our national discourse is shifting, and...
Apr 84 min read


Stop Clinging to the Myth of Meritocracy in DEI Conversations
It's way past time. Meritocracy often feels like an untouchable ideal - the belief that hard work and talent alone determine success....
Mar 269 min read


When Ethics Meet Action: Organizing Resistance to Health Research and Healthcare Cuts Through an Equity Lens
The core principles of medical ethics - beneficence , nonmaleficence , autonomy , and justice - are what we rely on to ensure care is...
Mar 213 min read


Defending DEI: Use Research to Push Back Against Misinformation
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is under attack. Misinformation is spreading rapidly, funding is being slashed, and political...
Mar 134 min read


Interpreting the Multi-State Guidance on DEIA and What It Means for Your Business
In February 2025, a collective of 16 state attorneys general released the Multi-State Guidance Concerning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,...
Mar 42 min read


Moving Forward in Uncertain Times: Leading with Values, Not Fear
I first spoke about navigating uncertain times during a workshop I led for a tech company in the early days of COVID. The focus then was...
Feb 212 min read


DEI in 2024: A Recap of Challenges and Resilience
We’ve made it to the end of 2024 and as we look back on the landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) over the past year, it’s...
Jan 34 min read


Tips for Writing a Comprehensive DEI RFP that Delivers Top-Notch Proposals
As the year wraps up and we prepare our final Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) proposals for 2024, we’re reflecting on the journey...
Dec 27, 20244 min read


Surviving the Holidays When Conversations Cross the Line
The holidays are supposed to be a time for joy and connection, but sometimes coworkers, or even family, say things that push your...
Dec 6, 20243 min read


What DEI Phase is Your Company In? Read This Blog to Find Out
In today’s business landscape, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential for long term success. One unconscious bias workshop...
Nov 29, 20243 min read


Will DEI Ever Go Away?
“Will DEI ever go away?” The short answer? No, it won’t—and here’s why that’s actually a good thing. Let’s start with the fundamentals:...
Nov 22, 20243 min read


The Future of Healthcare: Innovation and Inclusion
Have you ever wondered how technology is reshaping the future of healthcare? As an alumna of the University of Rochester, I recently...
Nov 15, 20244 min read


Creating an AI Equity Policy: A Blueprint for Ethical Innovation
Creating an AI Equity Policy: A Blueprint for Ethical Innovation As more companies jump into the world of artificial intelligence (AI),...
Nov 8, 20244 min read


The Unexpected Benefits of DEI: A Win-Win for Everyone
How Prioritizing DEI Can Benefit Your Entire Organization You might be shocked to find out that white people actually benefit when you...
Oct 25, 20242 min read


The Cultural Imperative of DEI in The Workplace
cul·ture /ˈkəlCHər/ the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group....
Oct 18, 20241 min read


Building Inclusive Talent Acquisition Processes
A diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for organizational success. Inclusive talent acquisition processes play a crucial role in...
Sep 9, 20242 min read
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