Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Wiggins.
Hi Joy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins on the side of Ruekle Road on May 11, 1974, just outside of New Braunfels on the way to the Ft. Sam Houston military base hospital. My parents didn’t quite make it to the hospital so I was born in a Volkswagen van on the side of the road.
My dad delivered me. My dad was in the Army so we lived in San Antonio, Indiana, Virginia, and Germany and finally settled back in San Antonio by the time I was in 5th grade.
I graduate from MacArthur High School in 1992 and went on to Texas Tech for my Bachelor’s in Education.
I then moved to Arizona and on to Bellingham, Washington where I received my Master’s in Literacy Education. I moved to Hangzhou, China to teach English and help immigrants to Canada with their interview skills.
I received my doctorate in multicultural education in 2005 from The Ohio State University. I also taught 6th grade in Dallas at Eladio Martinez Learning Center. That same year, I secured a tenure-track position teaching research, literacy, and diversity courses at the University of Texas Arlington where I taught for 7 years.
Teaching a consistent flow of new generations of students provides a great window into the expectations and desires of those entering the workforce. I recognized the chasm that existed between the generations of the past and what was to be expected in the future.
After the birth of my daughter, I moved back to Bellingham, Washington to teach at Western Washington University teaching in the Education department focusing on literacy and multicultural education courses.
I served and co-chaired for four years on a Social Justice and Equity Committee in which I worked with the President and Provost’s office as well as Human Resources on developing and facilitating workshops and events on race-based conversations, understanding white privilege, women supporting women, and systemic injustice.
By 2015, I started Joy Wiggins, Ph.D.: Equity and Inclusion Consulting in Washington state part-time. I began partnering with other DEI consultants in the Pacific Northwest, Texas, and abroad.
By 2017, I presented a TEDx Talk on Women supporting Women in the Workplace and had secured a publisher for my co-authored book with Dr. Kami Anderson titled, “From Sabotage to Support: A New Vision for Feminist Solidarity in the Workplace” published by Berrett-Koehler Publishing.
After our book was published in 2019, Kami and I were featured in numerous magazines, podcasts, and news stations for our work such as KUOW, the NPR news station in Seattle. Joy was also featured in Austin Woman Magazine as an Austin Woman to Watch.
Clients in the technology sector, Executive Search teams, nonprofits, and educational institutions were booking us for speaking and workshops. I also facilitated discussions on feminism, racism, and nuclear war for Humanities Washington, a non-profit speakers bureau.
During Covid in 2020, I moved my business to Austin and have garnered a secure footing in the Austin market. Local clients include Juiceland, Charles Schwab, NXP, the University of Texas at Austin Elite Leadership Program, and Extended Ventures.
I have spoken and Emceed at the San Antonio Women’s Leadership Summit and Innotech in Austin. I have also spoken across the country and abroad for companies such as Microsoft, Penske Media Corporation, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Paccar, a Fortune 500 Company.
I am the sponsorship and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director for Austin Women in Technology, a volunteer for Girl Empowerment Network, and the chair of Senator Royce West’s statewide DEI Task Force. Hobbies are hiking, traveling, and hanging with sisters, daughters, and cousins.
I am hoping to become more involved with the LGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce and the Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the many challenges I faced is being a single entity LLC in which as a single mother, I understand the challenge the workforce can often pose for women.
As I started working toward my consulting business full time and moved to teach more online classes, I have felt the pull of wanting to create a woman-led team to help my business grow. The challenge of a consultant is always managing the changes in workflow and given my years of experience in this space, I have been able to source the best talent based on the needs of the particular client when the workflow warrants it.
Juggling a consulting business is an ever-evolving space while also continuing to teach the students in my classes can be challenging but it gives me a peek into both worlds at the same time. Understanding who is currently in the workforce and who is coming down the pipeline allows me insight into what companies should understand about the next generation of workers and their expectations.
I have had the great fortune to teach Generation X, Millennials, and now Gen Z students.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Joy Wiggins, Ph.D.: Equity and Inclusion Consulting?
Joy Wiggins, Ph.D.: Equity and Inclusion Consulting, LLC believes that we all want to be seen, heard, and feel a sense of authentic belonging.
When people feel a genuine sense of belonging there is an increase in the ability to inspire ourselves and others. We can create spaces of innovation, inspiration, and greater communication by focusing on ourselves and our colleagues in deeper, more meaningful ways.
Our company is committed to creating spaces of empowerment where all people and organizations can thrive. Our mission is to help organizations create sustainable, systemic change where equity is at the core of the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Based in Austin, Texas with a global presence, Joy Wiggins Ph.D.: Equity and Inclusion Consulting (JWC) is a certified woman- and LGBTQI+-owned strategic equity and inclusion consulting firm. We understand how important it is to empower leaders to drive positive organizational and systemic change. Our company is committed to creating spaces of empowerment where all people and organizations can thrive.
We work with Human Resources, diversity and inclusion, business leadership, and talent management teams to recreate an organizational culture that works for everyone.
Whether that be through learning and development such as understanding equity, courageous conversations, and women’s leadership to working with teams to create better hiring and retention practices, our team customizes everything to address our client’s challenges.
Past clients include Microsoft, Penske Media Corporation, NXP, Charles Schwab, Paccar, Juiceland, Western Washington University, and the University of Texas at Austin. We work with government agencies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies.
We have experience working in both the private and public sectors to assist companies to navigate the ever-evolving DEI landscape.
JWC addresses inequities in the hiring and retention of diverse talent across many industries. We use practical techniques to assist organizations and businesses achieve equitable practices and promote better communication to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive work environment.
These techniques embody a new way of interacting with one another that provides a deeper understanding of honoring and valuing diverse voices without silencing or marginalizing people. This creates a transformative workplace climate where all voices are heard, honored, and ideas implemented.
Statistically, diversity and inclusion in the workplace engender innovation, an increase in profits, and a sense of belonging where employees will stay because of the inclusive and supportive work environment. Finding ways for companies to either start and consistently improve upon their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) endeavors is where JWC steps in to provide a strategic path.
Companies that have started on this journey, but need help pivoting to improve existing initiatives and programs can also partner with JWC to leverage even greater results.
She is committed to her home state of Texas and its various diversity and inclusion initiatives. Since being back in Texas, Dr. Wiggins has spoken on numerous panels and given workshops. She also serves on Senator Royce West’s Task Force to support educational initiatives and works with the University of Texas at Austin’s Extended Ventures and Elite Leadership program.
How do you define success?
I define success as having a work-life balance. I haven’t quite achieved that but as I have been delegating more of my business to my employees, I have been able to spend more time having lunch with my daughter at school or taking time off for me.
I like to be physically active so when I can take time off to go for a bike ride, swim or run or even travel, I consider that a great success. Another metric for success is choosing the clients I want to work with rather than feeling like I have to take just any client. I know that I have been in business long enough and that my expertise is needed across industries.
My unique way of extending grace and compassion in the work I do is very important in establishing trust and clients that keep asking me back. Since speaking and facilitating workshops is my specialty, I am able to focus solely on that. I also create solidarity and empowerment courses that are available to anyone who wants to take those courses.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joywiggins.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjoywiggins/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joywigginsGPP/
Image Credits
Kinsey Vallier Photography http://www.kinseyvphotography.com/about
