Nona Lee is the Founder and CEO of Truth DEI, a consulting firm assisting organizations in identifying and implementing growth strategies in diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a rich background in the sports industry including a tenure as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, she combines her legal expertise with a deep-seated commitment to DE&I. Nona’s experience extends to managing legal departments, crafting and overseeing agreements in the professional sports sector, and guiding DE&I strategies and training. Her educational credentials include a law degree from Oklahoma City School of Law, participation in the Harvard Law School’s Executive Education program for corporate counsel, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:
- [0:05] Introduction to Nona Lee, CEO and founder of Truth DEI, and her journey in sports law and DEI advocacy.
- [2:15] Nona discusses the launch of Truth Retreats, immersive leadership programs focused on civil rights and cultural humility.
- [6:53] Nona’s thoughts on balancing DEI work and business demands in a rapidly changing societal landscape.
- [12:59] How Nona’s background as an athlete and sports executive shapes her DEI approach, focusing on access and opportunity.
- [15:12] Insights from Nona’s work in professional sports and how the industry addresses (or avoids) DEI challenges.
- [17:59] The importance of patience in leading DEI initiatives and meeting organizations where they are.
- [20:49] How Nona’s legal experience supports her work in managing DEI-related challenges within organizations.
- [22:16] The growing importance of diversity in workforce demographics and consumer power.
- [29:37] Nona’s upcoming Truth Retreats and their role in shaping leadership perspectives on DEI and cultural humility.
- [35:43] Navigating deep-rooted biases and facilitating difficult conversations in DEI work.
- [41:45] The role of sports in advancing DEI and how Nona’s experiences shaped her passion for advocacy.
- [47:49] Nona shares stories of mentors and key figures who inspired her DEI journey and leadership.
- [50:17] Nona’s vision for the future of Truth DEI and her ongoing commitment to meaningful, long-term change.
In This Episode…
How can the sports industry and corporate organizations effectively embrace and champion authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion transformation? What are the strategies and insights needed for impactful change in these high-stakes fields?
According to Nona Lee, a visionary leader and DE&I advocate, the answer lies in a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and the courage to initiate genuine transformations. She emphasizes that true inclusivity goes beyond surface-level diversity — it requires reshaping the very fabric of organizational culture. Leadership must be fully supportive in championing these changes in order to create environments where diverse talents thrive.
In this episode of WRK & WIN, Corinne Milien speaks with Nona Lee, Founder and CEO of Truth DEI, to explore the depths of DE&I in sports and beyond. They cover Nona’s journey from athlete to legal expert to DE&I champion, the critical role of organizational culture, strategies for fostering lasting change, and the transformative impact of leadership commitment in DE&I efforts.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Corinne Milien on LinkedIn
- WRK
- Nona Lee on LinkedIn
- Truth DEI: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
- Laura Dixon on LinkedIn
- Pro Sports Assembly
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Billie Jean King
- Women’s Sports Foundation
- Bendita Cynthia Malakia on LinkedIn
- NPR
- Where You Are Is Not Who You Are: A Memoir by Ursula Burns
- Women, Race and Class by Angela Davis
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
- Deedra Determan on LinkedIn
- D2 Branding
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by WRK.
In the dynamic world of sports and entertainment, managing a successful business is about more than just the bottom line — it’s about the people who make it happen.
WRK is your go-to partner for people-powered HR and staffing solutions, designed to overcome your toughest workforce challenges.
From fostering employee engagement through positive employee relations to developing future leaders with their Leadership Development programs, WRK‘s services are designed to maximize the performance of your team and ensure a vibrant, inclusive work culture.
This isn’t just HR — it’s HR reimagined.
Go to www.letsdowrk.com to learn more.