Gail Plant is an inspirational Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging advocate. She attended Drexel University, where she received her B.A. in Computer Information Systems. Immediately following graduation from Drexel in 1995, she began her career with a local company, where she worked for 27 years until her retirement in June 2022. During her tenure, she held several leadership roles within the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. Gail received her M.A. in Leadership Development in 2015, and she has spent the last 28 years coaching, mentoring, and leading others on the journey of embracing and fostering the value of themselves and others.

Key Takeaways:

• If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you need a new crowd

• Remain teachable

• Listen to young people

• Being an ally means speaking up in the moment, not after the fact

• An inclusive society starts at the individual level

• V.A.L.U.E. – Victorious, Authentic, Loving oneself, Uniqueness, Empowerment

• Valuing you starts with you

• Honor everyone’s perspective in a room

• Authenticity is the ability to be yourself in every situation, regardless of the circumstances, and, in doing so, unleash your full potential

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Sound Of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot (Film)

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For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

Email info@incognitotheplay.com with questions or comments about the show!

Emily McConnell is a collaborator, designer, educator, and researcher based in Chicago. She has been the resident costume designer at the CCPA Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University since 2007, designing almost 100 productions during that time all while managing the costume shop and teaching and supervising students. Starting in the fall of 2024, she will also be serving as the Program Director for Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies and the Curriculum Coordinator for Technical Theatre. She has been an Artistic Associate at Steep Theatre since 2011 and worked as a freelance designer in Chicago theatre since 1999 with credits including The House, Northlight, Oak Park Theatre Festival, Lifeline Theatre, and The Gift. Her research into collaborative methods in theatrical design has presented that research at conferences including the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and the American Theatrical Costume Association, and her writing has been published in HowlRound Theatrical Commons and Theatre Design and Technology Magazine. She holds a BA in Drama from Dartmouth College and an MA in Theatre Design from Northwestern.

Key Takeaways:

• Proximity is not enough – gaining new knowledge and expanding your awareness is essential to progress

• Be mindful of the identities present in the spaces you are in (including your own)

• Determine the priorities of everyone in the room – ask yourself how you can support these goals

• Transparency is key to resolving conflicts in the workplace

• Honesty should be the starting point

• Present the problem, not the solution

• Mutual investment in collaboration will bring about the best outcome

• Authenticity means being honest and open about your strengths, vulnerabilities, and limitations

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

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Find Guest’s work:

• Emily’s Website: https://www.emilymccdesign.com/

• Emily’s Blog: https://www.emilymccdesign.com/blog

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For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

Email info@incognitotheplay.com with questions or comments about the show!

Lusanda Mayikana is the Dean of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs at Lake Forest Academy. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Social Justice from Lancaster University (U.K.), a Master of Arts in English Education from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and a Master of Arts in English from Middlebury College. Lusanda came to Lake Forest Academy in 2003 after spending a year as a Harvard-South Africa fellow in the African American Studies department and the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. As the Dean of Equity, Pluralism, Inclusion, and Community, Lusanda is committed to fostering an inclusive culture and community where all members enjoy belonging, agency, and support. Her focus on bridging by listening, engaging, and intentionally organizing emphasizes connectedness, understanding, and learning about our varied lived experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• “I am because of those around me”

• Meet people where they are

• Be curious

• Play to the strengths of you and those around you

• Slow down

• Take the time to listen to others, even those you disagree with

• Authenticity comes from self-knowledge, self-awareness, and sincerity

• Trust who you are

• Create spaces where people can take risks and, in doing so, be their authentic selves

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Learning to Disagree by John Inazu (book)

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Find Guest’s work:

• Lake Forest Academy: https://www.lfanet.org/

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For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

Email info@incognitotheplay.com with questions or comments about the show!