"You Can't Do Good Business with Bad People:" Dorri McWhorter on Creating Inclusivity, Empowering Women, and Eliminating Racism

Welcome back to Fifth Dimensional Leadership! I’m your host, Ginny Clarke.    Today, I’m delighted to bring you a conversation I had with Dorri McWhorter! She is someone I have known for a number of years and is a truly remarkable woman. Currently, she is the CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. What makes Dorri so unique is that she is truly a socially-conscious business leader, committed to creating an inclusive marketplace, empowering women, and eliminating racism. When she first joined YWCA seven years ago, they were a $10 million organization losing about $1 million a year. Since then, she has tripled their growth into a $30 million organization.    In our conversation, Dorri shares her perspective on the current political environment from a leadership point of view, the programs that she’s instituted at YWCA and how they really have worked wonders for the organization, what has been the biggest catalyst in creating massive change in YWCA, how she discovered her unique superpower (vision), and her philosophy that supports and informs the work that she’s doing. Dorri is a true pioneer in this space and I’m so excited to share this episode with all of you!   Key Takeaways: [:38] About today’s guest, Dorri McWhorter. [1:27] Welcoming Dorri to the podcast! [1:32] Dorri shares about her transition and journey from the corporate world to the nonprofit world. [3:47] Since day one as CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, how did Dorri formulate a vision and align everyone on the same strategy and structure? [5:36] Dorri speaks about some of the programs that she’s instituted at YWCA and how they really have worked wonders for the organization. [8:35] Dorri explains what she means when she says, “Businesses are a function of the consciousness of the leader.” [9:58] Dorri shares her perspective on the current political environment from a leadership point of view. [12:47] Dorri’s perspective on the convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement and racial injustice. [15:37] The difference between reacting vs. responding. [17:12] Dorri shares how she has been able to structure her organization (from the programs to the people to the teams and more) as well as what has been the biggest catalyst in creating massive change from when she first joined until now. [23:17] How did Dorri discover her unique superpower of vision? And is there someone in particular that she admires with the same superpower? [25:31] Dorri shares her philosophy that supports and informs the work that she’s doing. [27:53] Navigating the reframing of work in the current circumstances. [30:26] As a visionary, Dorri shares what she sees for the future of our society. [32:29] Thanking Dorri for joining the podcast and sharing her insightful thoughts!   Mentioned in this Episode: YWCA Metropolitan Chicago About Dorri McWhorter   About Fifth Dimensional Leadership & Ginny Clarke Fifth-Dimensional Leadership is a podcast about leadership - knowing yourself, speaking your truth, inspiring love, expanding your consciousness and activating your mastery. As an executive recruiter and career expert currently leading executive recruiting at a Fortune 20 tech company, Ginny Clarke is a passionate and authentic thought leader with a unique and deliberate perspective on work and life. She synthesizes aspects of her life as an African-American single mother who has successfully navigated corporate America for over 30 years. She has inspired, uplifted, and changed the lives of thousands and is intentional about bringing conscious awareness to the people of all ages and stages.   Every other week, a new edition of Fifth-Dimensional Leadership will include fascinating guests, covering a variety of topics: power, personal branding, self-awareness, networking, fear, and career management   Stay Connected! To find more episodes or learn more, visit: ginnyclarke.com Connect with her on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube