J.E.D.I CEO Action Initiative Apply Today!

Networking with peers who are at different milestones of their JEDI journey and sharing experiences was extremely valuable.  The discussions with key thought leaders provided a strong framework on how to build best practices for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into our organization. My participation in the JEDI CEO Action Initiative was very rewarding.

Jeffrey Sanfilippo
Chief Executive Officer of John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

I personally learned how to lead with integrity and be genuinely authentic when trying to do the work, knowing that I now have resources that will hold me and my team accountable. As an early stage company with the unique opportunity to build a team from the ground up, the CEO Action Learning Initiative was necessary for me to hear the stories of other CEOs and grow with the guidance of our facilitator and former CEO of Jamba Juice, James D. White.”

Michelle Pusateri
CEO & Founder of Nana Joe’s Granola

I have already seen progress both in how we are going to market for job searches and the dialogue around these critical topics at the senior level. The CEO Action Learning program provided a context to better understand issues and opportunities around equity and inclusion for natural food companies. The expert speakers and the facilitator, James D.White, former CEO of Jamba Juice, provided a strong framework to distill goals and track progress for Martinelli’s as we seek to prioritize DEI initiatives and implement new tools.”

Martinellis logo
Gun Ruder
CEO & President of Martinelli’s

The guest speakers were amazing and the workshops both raised awareness and put forth actionable steps to combat racial bias in the workplace and our lives. Overall, OSC and it’s initiatives have been a remarkable champion and partner for positive change.”

Reem Hassani
Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer of Numi Tea

“The JEDI Collaborative is a fantastic organization that is making a real difference in the natural products industry. I recently participated in a four part CEO forum for the JEDI initiative. I learned so much about JEDI and how to incorporate more diversity and inclusion into my daily role as a CEO. I got to know an amazing group of like minded CEOs. My positive experience was directly related to the quality of the staff at the JEDI Collaborative. Each of my sessions were very organized and had very rich, well thought out content for me to learn. Great experience!”

Traditional Medicinals logo
Blair Kellison
CEO of Traditional Medicinals

Former Participating Brands

Meet Your Facilitator & Guest Speakers

CYNTHIA BILLOPS

Expert Small Group Facilitator | EdD | VP of J.E.D.I Collaborative

Cynthia Billops is an inspired, “human-first” champion of people, projects and organizations with a goal of implementing systems and practices that use diversity, belonging and inclusion as catalysts to ensure sustainable, socially responsible, profitable growth.

She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Mills College; is an enthusiastic believer in proactive risk-identification and mitigation using Powerful Non-Defensive Communication and has spent the last few decades guiding groups as they define, ramp-up on and launch complex IT, Web/SaaS and "Culture Shift" initiatives - resulting in:

  • structurally efficient
  • opportunity enhancing
  • revenue generating

Projects and Programming that support, engage and "level up" all individuals while also, positively, contributing to organizational capacity, resilience and financial stability.

Throughout her career, Cynthia has guided executive leaders through periods of great change, accelerating growth and expansion within the constraints of broader economic and environmental challenges. She has experience as Founder, Executive Director, Executive coach, and Board trustee; for start-ups, nonprofits and for-profit organizations. Her unique understanding of the challenges (and opportunities) faced by developing organizations combined with her determination to ensure open doors and “on-ramps to opportunity” for persons living in and coming from systemically marginalized communities; help her collaboratively create systems and processes that lead to sustainable growth, better staff retention and higher profits due to optimization and efficiency gains.

JAMES D. WHITE

Former Jamba Juice CEO, Founding Cohort Leader, Author of Anti-Racist Leadership

James D. White is a transformational leader with over thirty years' experience as a CEO and operating executive in the consumer products, retail, and restaurant industries, as well as an experienced corporate director and adviser with twenty years of experience on more than fifteen public and private boards.

White currently chairs the board of the Honest Company and is Executive Chair of the startup Air Protein, in addition to several other boards.

As Chair, President, and CEO of Jamba Juice, he led the successful turnaround and transformation of the company from a made-to-order smoothie shop to a global healthy-lifestyle brand.

In his recently published book, Anti-Racist Leadership: Transforming Corporate Culture in a Race Conscious World, James gives leaders a practical solution to achieving their diversity and inclusion goals, sharing actionable guidance and “how-to” advice.

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