In this special edition episode, we're celebrating Women's History Month with a lively discussion on what it means to 'Take Up Space.' We're joined by panelists Dr. Shavonne Ekeledo, Dr. Samantha Hedgspeth, and Veronica Hill, who not only exemplify what it means to take up space but share how others can do the same - personally and professionally.
In this special edition episode, we're celebrating Women's History Month with a lively discussion on what it means to 'Take Up Space.' We're joined by panelists Dr. Shavonne Ekeledo, Dr. Samantha Hedgspeth, and Veronica Hill, who not only exemplify what it means to take up space but share how others can do the same - personally and professionally.
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Welcome to the Center for the advancement of virtual organizations for a special edition podcast just for Women's History Month. We cannot let the month in without coming to you today during this time to talk about girl power and today, we are joined by three powerful women players in their respective fields to discuss how women are taking up space, unapologetically. So today we have Dr. Shavonne Ekeledo. She's a core professor in the School of Business at NCU, and she is also the manager of the business management sector of the American College of Surgeons trauma department. Since joining the leadership team in 2016 at ACS, Dr. Calico has transformed the operational practices within her department from business functions to ensuring the quality and performance improvement programs, ensuring that they are streamlined and effectively managed, as well as ensuring compliance with the transformed financial operations, budget management and contracts and agreements at ACS trauma department. Dr. Shavonne Ekeledo. Welcome. Thank you, Randy.
Next up, we have Dr. Dr. Samantha Hedgspeth. She is the founder and principal of her own company, the headspace group. She provides executive coaching and consulting to organizations of all sizes. She's also currently working on presenting and writing her first book in title. The pandemic disruption is tacit knowledge on the precipice of extinction. Samantha is an alumnus of North Central and she has successfully defended her doctorate and conferred a doctor philosophy in business admin, organizational leadership specialization and November 2019. Dr. Samantha Hedgspeth. Welcome. Hi, thank you, Dr. Sanders for having me. You are most welcome.
And last, but certainly not least, we have power play of Veronica Hill, a proud Latina founder and CEO of the leadership consulting LLC, a boutique consulting agency that equips and empowers professionals to develop emotional intelligence to thrive at work at home and in life. Veronica specializes in empowerment through practical tips, proven strategies and constructive feedback, while encouraging her clients to own their brilliance, reclaim their power and embody excellence. Veronica has built a reputation for her no BS approach to leadership development as a certified emotional intelligence coach and educator, people and culture specialists emotional social and power skills trainer, and effective communication instructor. She too is a recent ncu alumni of the master of organizational leadership program, and proud member of the Society of emotional intelligence, the National Society of leadership and success and the International Academy. Honor Society in business and North Central University School of Business Student Advisory Council. Veronica, welcome. Thanks so much. It's so good to be here. Thank you all ladies. I'm super excited. I can't even hold it back. Listen, listeners, if you have not picked up the common theme between the panelists today, let me clearly state it for you.
These are some bad chicks playing in the arena of organization of leadership. And I'm not gonna say no more. I'm not even gonna say no more. I'm gonna jump right in here. Because I have tons of questions for for these ladies. And I'm gonna let you hear from them. And I'm actually going to start this morning with cheban savant we're talking about taking up space What does taking up space mean to you? Thank you Randy. I think taking up space is really going and in and being present being present and and taking over and and whether that be in your current job, your career, whether it be networking, whether it be in your your just your daily life and your work life balance and family so taking up spaces is really being present and and really being engulfed in that and and being known and making sure that that that stays afloat, and everybody knows that you're here I'm Siobhan and I'm taking up space and this in this organization or what and the overall aspect of what I do, I like it. I like it. Thank you for sharing that. Samantha What does taking up space mean to you?
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Yes, taking up space for me. When I think of that, is about gaining ground about making positive advancement towards goals and aspirations and making lemonade out of lemons, situations like that. Making lemonade out of lemons situations. Such it's such a great way of looking at it. Veronica, tell us what this taking up space mean to you. So I would consider taking up space, a radical understanding and acceptance of who we are. And then showing up unapologetically in a way that empowers others to do the same. I love it. I absolutely love it. You know, when I think of women taking up space, I it makes me kind of look back over women that are currently taking up space like our three panelists today. And women are just in all industries, breaking all these glass ceilings. Really recently, like starting in like 2020 women have just been on the move from from the sports arena like can mean she's the first woman General Manager in baseball history, to Dr. Patricia Norby, who's the Metropolitan Museum of arts first ever Native American associate associate curator and it's 150 years of history.
And then I think about 21 year old Araya Raja dieron, who was elected as India's youngest mayor. And of course, of course, to the United States, our first ever madam, Vice President, Kamala Harris, all your women are taking up space, and I'm just loving it. I'm loving it. So with that, does the definition of taking up space differ based on ethnicity? I'm just curious. Siobhan, I'll start with you. Um, I would say that ethnicity can play a big part in taking up space. And in a lot of industries right now. I mean, even still, minority women are still trying to take up that space. And we have the opportunity to and we are striving to, and we still have a long way to go.
However, I think we're being heard and, and I and I think that we are all striving to in in, in doing so we are getting to that point where we're going to take over that space. And and it's being known and it's real. And I think it really all it's an all encompassing, it's all important. And and as we sit here and talk on the podcast, and we hear each other speak about this, I think it it really shows that, you know, we not just that we want to take up space, but that we are going to take up space and that we are taking up space and that we're going to spread that word and and there's more and more women out here that that want to do so. So I think it goes hand in hand. Great points. Great points.
But Veronica? Yeah, so I would actually my my approach to that question is I don't think the definition changes. But I think the way the message is received does and so what I mean by this is, you know, this is why self awareness, self confidence and representation matter. Because showing up unapologetically doesn't mean seats are provided at the table. Instead, it really just offers permission for us to create tables and those spaces. So I think, you know, having that awareness, kind of, you know, opens opens new avenues. As far as how we approach you know, our potential in taking up space and what that means. I like it. Self Awareness is very important. Okay. Samantha?
Yes, and I'm most definitely with would agree with Veronica about the definition does not change. But ethnicity does bring challenges. Historically, yes, there have been hindrances to taking up space, if you are a person of color, unfortunately, but we are making social progress. You know, once upon a time, you know, for me personally, I have experienced potential employers and clients when I was practicing real estate full time, in situations, you know, where over the phone, they were perfectly fine with me. And they were excited to meet me and to do business. But when we got in the office, I just got the deer in the headlight look, and they just stared at me.
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And unfortunately, I got very familiar with that look, and it was just, you know, that they were saying, okay, she's not white, she's black. What do we do now? But you know, we all learn. In those situations, we learn how to navigate them better. We let them make us stronger. So that therefore moving forward, we can take up space a lot better, and we can also help those who were having situations are having issues with dealing with people of ethnicity, when we're taking up space by being graceful.
And by being willing to go the extra mile, to show them that there is there really is not problems only barriers within our minds. I like that there really are not any problems, but just barriers and our minds and the more that we can come together and work together, and, and help one another rise, we will definitely get over some of those hurdles, and attain our goals. Exactly. I was gonna say in some of those situations, what I meant by that, I just wanted to elaborate a little bit on what I was talking about as far as as helping those people.
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And so in those situations, I did not get negative, but I still kept the sun shining, and still continue to extend myself fully, and give them a gracious out or, or to show them you know, mad, you know, offer them services, and then say, just give me a call, you know, if you'd like to continue further. So there's just ways that we can extend ourselves and show the love to help people overcome their barriers. And I would say this to back to Veronica's point of self awareness. So you were self aware enough to know how to navigate in those types of situations? Okay, yeah. But, but it came through the scope, it came through the school board, not me not knowing me not knowing what to do, and maybe in a deer in headlights when they go into that, right, you know, but then I learned how to navigate it and learn how to be the gracious right. And to help others alone, right. They say life is, you know, the is, it's all about experiences, and it's the best teacher, so I understand kind of learning on the job.
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Okay, okay. So I know the listeners have heard me say that we have these three power players on our panel today. And I believe that you ladies are taking up space from, from your BIOS from from what I know of you. But that's just my perception of you. So let me just ask you out, right. Do you feel like you are taking up space? And where are you on your journey? And I'm going to start with Veronica. Veronica, are you taking up space? Oh, absolutely. I am. And I that's something also too, I think intention has a lot to do with it. And that's why a lot of the work that I do is owning your brilliance. You know, that's what it means to take up space, as you're doing it unapologetically, I'm unapologetic for being exactly who I am, you know, here in this space, I'm constantly evolving, but I'm also celebrating that journey.
And so you know, just too kind of give you a little background, you know, as a Latina entrepreneur, it's extremely difficult to shed the cultural expectation that success equates to education and working for others. And so the idea and the concept of building my own business, taking risks, and working for myself, you know, it really is foreign and misunderstood in my own community and my own, you know, family. And so, you know, what I've done is I've used those projected fears and doubts, you know, that other people project onto me, and I've just internalized them, but I use them as catalysts, you know, to drive me, you know, to commit to charting my own path, you know, I'm rebelling against societal and cultural norms, you know, and completely disregarding their expectations and timelines and opinions. And I'm doing what feels right to me. I love it. It sounds like you have fed to the world. This is my life.
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And I am creating Sure. I like it. Okay, thank you for sharing that. cheban I'm going to ask you the same question. You take enough space.
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Oh, definitely, I'm taking up space and I still have more space to take up.
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I strive to take up space in many different ways. And some of the ways could be again my career and growing in that. I'm also a professor at Northeastern University. So I'm taking up space and and and volunteering my time and really just trying to be out there and and in assisting in any way I can with students and faculty and doing podcasts and blogs and and research and working on publications but also taking up space in my community and being part of the NAACP and other in other areas on which I can help my people which I could help women in which I could help young people and and in really just doing it for my family and myself and and for for for anyone that I can help taking up space. I think
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Also just just being relevant and being out there and and being who you are, and being proud of that, and by being who you are helping others be who they are. So definitely taking up space and continuing to take up space and have more space. I like it. She said, I'm not done yet. See me now, though. I really, really like your messaging. Thank you for that.
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Samantha, let me ask you, are you taking up space? Yes, and I totally concur. With those ladies. I just love their viewpoint. And yes, I am taking up space, I'm gaining ground every day. You know, I set goals for myself and set it you know, just learning the different nuances. And my to do list is growing exponentially in setting up the hedge path group, which is executive coaching and consulting. You know, adding sitting here adding services to that. And making sure while I take up space, try to provide myself some self care in order for me to go on taking up space.
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So I do feel that this season of my life, I am making great progress in who I am, and being really,
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to Veronica's point, unapologetic, about who I am, and about other people's expectations, and just shaking all of that off and moving forward. I like it, I'm hearing a common theme again, amongst all three, self awareness, self care, knowing who we are being intentional. And this leads me into my next question, because I'm also hearing about being invisible, taking up space means being in in a space in an environment and people knowing who you are. So how does visibility influence taking up space, and I'm going to go start with Dr. shirvan. Yes, being visible while taking up space.
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I think that that goes hand in hand to I think being able to take up space, you have to be visible, you have to be able to work with colleagues, you have to be able to work with other people within that those industries or the scope of what you're doing to be able to take up space, you have to be able to grow your organizations to take up space and in doing that clients and clientele and things like that. So I think it's very important to be visible, whether it's doing podcasts, whether it's publications, whether it's just speeches and getting your name out there. So it's definitely important to be visible. Okay. Okay. Dr. Samantha? Yes, visibility is important. With visibility, you nurture familiarity with familiarity, people become more comfortable with who you say you are, and what you can do. And out of that comfort, people will begin to talk about opportunities for your expertise and for your talent.
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So definitely taking up space, you need to be visible. I appreciate that, Veronica? Yeah, I would say my intentional decision, to live out loud unapologetically. Again, going back to owning my brilliance, you know, and my power and embodying excellence, that's a visual representation that my existence and then subsequently my thriving is a rebellion against those norms. And so, essentially, what I'm saying, I'm, I'm a physical visual representation, you know, in taking up space on whatever platform it is in person, virtually, you know, socially, in my familial, and, you know, a friend Friend groups, you know, this is me saying, you know, I don't need to dim my light so that others, you know, can shine, when in fact, the opposite is true.
My glow is an invitation for you to join me. I like that. I like that. I'm telling you, listeners, I hope you're taking notes because I am taking notes. These these ladies are showing up and showing out unapologetically and intentionally and I can appreciate that. I'm going to shift gears for one moment because it is Women's History Month. It's all about us women and and we focus a lot on diversity, equity, and inclusion. There's, you know, the pay gap. These are common themes and topics when we're talking about women. And a question I want to pose today is can taking up space help women close the pay gap and impact diversity, equity inclusion? And I'm going to start with you, Veronica. Yeah. So I would actually say, you know, taking up space is a powerful and Major Component
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But the reality is, is that for systemic change to impact dei and close that pay gap, there has to be a collective intersectional movement. And this goes back to being able to create tables instead of seats at the table. And so I think there's so much work to be done in this area. But I think it begins with that mindset is understanding really what it takes. And the idea that there has to be intersectional ism, there has to be more than just allies and advocates. But really, it's an intersectional movement that will bring about that, you know, the systemic change, because it does go much deeper than just that one facet. Good point. Very good point. Samantha. Yeah, I would say we, we need to stay positive, we need to stay to Veronica's point, a collective group and be consistent in voicing our perspective, because we can't let up.
We have made great progress. We now have a Madam Vice President, we just made history in this last election. So but we can't just relax and say all we we've arrived, it must be a constant and consistent clear voice of us women taking up space making impact, bringing a difference to that table that we're making, as Veronica referenced it. So yes, I think I think we can close those gaps. But we're not there yet. And I agree with you, there's more work to be done. The good thing is that we're in progress, right? So we're moving towards that. Oh, yeah. Thank you for sharing that. Yeah, I'm Satish. Yvonne.
Yes, I can agree with Samantha there, I think I think we still have a while to go. I think right now we're at 75 cents on the dollar to two men in the same exact position with the same qualifications. And minority women are even less than that at like 68 cents on the dollar. So we have a ways to go. And I think with us taking up space, and really being relevant really being out there. What we need to do was is have each other's backs and to grow with each other and and to show, you know, men that we can do the same exact things. And and we have the same education, we have the same experience, and we need to get paid the same. And and I think as we continue to take up this space, that's only going to get better. And we just have to keep on going and keep on working with each other.
And and in as Samantha said, doing it with grace. But I think because we are we are we have these mindsets now. And we are taking up the space that we want to take up that these will change that this will change and we just have to keep striving and keep fighting for it. I like it. So ladies, I'm hearing all three of you talk about mindset in one fashion or another, which which makes me think goes back to the comment of knowing yourself and self awareness. And we talked about self care, how does knowing yourself prepare you to take up space, it sounds very, very important and a priority.
But if you can share out with the listeners, how does knowing yourself prepare you to take up space, and I'm going to start with Samantha Yeah, when you know yourself, you're comfortable, you know what you can do, you know your capacity and capability. So when you know yourself, and I'll just use the allegory of a swimming pool, you know if you can dive in that deep end when the opportunity arises. And so that's the payoff of just always striving and working behind the scenes. So when that opportunity comes up, you're able to dive right into it. And you know, if you can't dive on the deep end just yet, you know, if you're on the shallow end working towards it, so knowing yourself, um, is a very is very key and a very important part of taking up space.
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To identify where there is opportunity, and to walk in the full breadth of that opportunity. Because you know, yourself, that's what you're able to do.
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So and not shy away from other opportunities, but you'll just be on the shallow end when you first start out, so I would say yes, knowing yourself is key. It's at the epicenter of taking up space. Yeah, absolutely correct. cheban Yeah, just just love and everything that Samantha saying right now. Yes, I definitely think it's it's key to know yourself. When taking up space. You have to know what you're about what you stand for, why you're doing what you're doing? And why are you trying to take up the space with what you're trying to take up space with?
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While you're you're doing, you know, working on your certain career or why you're doing your extracurricular activities? What is the end game? And and to know yourself? is is that focus and understanding why you're here. And while you're taking up the space, you have to know who you are, you just have to like it. Just know who you are.
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You have to know, I think that's very important. Thank you for sharing that, Veronica. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, these, these conversations are so around, this is so great, I'll piggyback on them just a little bit. You know, but again, just to kind of reiterate, you know, knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. And so only when we know our values, can we, you know, show up unapologetically. Because not only does it you know, allow us to understand, you know, what we know, you know who we are and those kinds of things.
But it also reveals to us that we don't know a lot of things. And so it gives us a courage to be authentic, you know, the capacity to be vulnerable. And it also provides, you know, the safe place to return to, you know, when that road when our journeys feel lonely, and, you know, and confusing, or we're not, we're unsure. And so I think that self awareness is understanding, you know, what we know, and what we don't know, and being able to navigate, you know, and vacillate in between the two, and really figure out who we are.
And like cheban said, you know, understanding, you know, why are we doing what we're doing? What is our purpose, you know, and really drives us to really discover those things. So that way we can figure ourselves out and continue to take up space, and the way that we're, you know, called to do I love it. Absolutely love it. Again, listeners, I'm taking away so many nuggets, I have two more questions, burning questions that I've been wanting to ask as well. And if each of you can just share out maybe one tip, one tip you can share with women to aid them in taking up space, I think they would greatly appreciate it. So Veronica, start with you, if you can share us share out one tip where women are that women can do to take up space? Well, if I had to give you just one, I would say learn to love and lead yourself. Well, first, so you can love and lead others? Well, it's a really good one there. I like it. Okay, Samantha?
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Yes, I would say I'm a tip would be to find your happy place. And be sure to spend time there. So that you can bring balance to your obligations, relationships and activities. Don't neglect yourself, but make sure that you have on your calendar, some self care time, I like it, self care is very important. Definitely needs to be on the priority list. And cheban Yes, I think have a go back to what we spoke about before, I think you really have to know who you are, and what you stand for. If you know that you would know how you would want to take up space. And you will go from there. And you will continue on with that. With that strength and you will continue on taking up space. Well, it's very clear that you three ladies are definitely taking up space.
So my last question, is there anything for women to do, who have identified themselves as taking up space, as you three have identified yourself to present opportunity for women who want to take up space? And I'm going to start with you cheban I think, I mean, it can start from anywhere from doing these podcasts here. Understanding what taking up spaces, so you know, being a part of networking events and listening to podcasts and reading books and and emailing us if you have questions and and and just putting your name out there and really just just meeting with us. And I think that can really be a starting point and just doing your research and figuring out who's out here and what's available and what can I do. I think that's where you could start elections. I like it. Okay, thank you, Samantha. Yes, I believe that for these women, I would tell them to definitely believe in themselves.
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As women and I know men do too, but as women because we handle so much. Sometimes we seem to doubt ourselves, but believe in yourselves. Don't let any negative thoughts deter your vision to Veronica's earlier point, not even family or social norms or cultural norms. If you have the vision, believe in yourself and write it out. Make it plain and follow your path. I like it. Alright, bye.
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Veronica? Yeah, I would actually my practical tip would be availing themselves and being intentional about seizing every opportunity to encourage, empower and amplify the voices work and existence of other women. I like it. I like it. And I'm going to add that I truly believe that we need to be disruptors in our own lives. I believe that to achieve your personal goal, we have to become okay with being uncomfortable. A theme that I like to say is get comfortable with being uncomfortable. And that is where we're going to grow and really get in tune with who we are, so we can show up and take up space. I would like to thank all three of our panelists here today. Dr. savant, Dr. Samantha Veronica, we appreciate your time and your insight, and the nuggets that you have provided.
Thank you so much for supporting the Center for advancement of virtual organizations. I am Dr. Randy L. Sanders, the Associate Dean of Faculty in the School of Business. We truly appreciate your insights and your great practice that you shared here today, which I'm sure it's going to be helpful to all of our listeners, ladies, continue to take up space and continue to just let your light shine the light. Thank you so very much. Thank you, Dr. Sanders. Thank you, Dr. Sanders. Thank you so much. It was so great to be here.