Laura Lomax shares her journey bridging cultural gaps through tailored online learning. Revealing how to adapt DEI content for different audiences, she explores practical strategies for fostering inclusion and engagement, offering actionable takeaways for course creators.

Laura Lomax is an intercultural practitioner, instructional designer, training and development specialist, and a certified professional coach.

In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Laura discuss:

• Laura’s professional background in intercultural competency, program development, and training across multiple industries
• The evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work and adapting terminology to suit different audiences
• Strategies for approaching and customizing courses for organizations, especially impenetrable or conservative institutions
• The importance of tailoring course content and delivery for specific, niche audiences
• Techniques for making sensitive or divisive topics more relatable and accessible to all learners
• Best practices for effective online course design, including formats, interaction, and engagement
• Challenges and methods for fostering active participation and deeper engagement in online programs
• Obtaining and utilizing continuing education accreditation as a business strategy and marketing tool
• Lessons learned and practical advice for course creators on course organization, technology use, and content presentation
• Ways to follow up with learners and organizations to ensure training effectiveness and lasting impact

“We used the word ‘inclusion’ a lot, but unfortunately, diversity, equity, even the word culture, was a little triggering.” — Laura Lomax

Guest Bio:

Laura Lomax has more than 35 years of leadership experience, including 18 years as CEO of a health care management firm. From assessment, analysis, and program development to delivery and evaluation, Laura focused on designing solutions to underserved communities as well as governmental agencies, including police departments, sheriff’s departments, jails, and prison systems in 10 states across the U.S.

Since 2015, Laura has focused on developing customized workplace learning solutions to build intercultural awareness and accountability for individuals, teams, and organizations.  She has administered assessments and provided cultural competence workshops to more than 2,000 participants from the following sectors: government, education (K-20), banking, health care, law enforcement, social services, hospitality, and nonprofit agencies.

Laura received her BA in Anthropology (1984) and Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology (2022). She is a certified Intercultural Practitioner and a Qualified Intercultural Development Inventory Administrator. Laura is also a certified facilitator/trainer for competency-building programs, including Cultural Detective, Emotional Intelligence in Diversity, and Pathways to Racial Reconciliation. In 2018 she received the NAACP Pioneer Award for building inclusive communities through leadership.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Ruzuku
Laura’s website: InterculturalWorks.com
Laura’s courses: courses.elearnersource.com
Laura’s email: laura@interculturalworks.com

Credits:

Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe Crystal
Producer and Editor: Michi Lantz
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

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Music credits:

Track Title: Bossa BB
Artist Name: Marie
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist Name: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Track Title: Carousel Lights
Artist Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:
24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

Episode transcript: How Smart Course Creators Tackle “Divisive” Topics (Laura Lomax).