What is it?
The CEO Action Initiative: Leading Equitable and Inclusive Companies is a 5-month facilitated program for CEOs, Founders, and Presidents of natural products companies wanting to operationalize JEDI change in their organizations while learning from executive peers with JEDI experience.
The CEO Action Initiative is designed to provide support, guidance, and knowledge for CEOs, Founders, and Presidents implementing justice, equity, diversity & inclusion changes within their company. We are creating a community that holds each other accountable for making and implementing commitments while providing a safe space to deal with the real emotions, pains, and mistakes that emerge when doing J.E.D.I work.
During this 5-month experience, learn from experts in DEI and CEOs who’ve done the work. They will share insights & practical case studies on implementing structural change. Learn from leaders who have studied & implemented J.E.D.I changes and hear about their challenges & successes.

What you’ll learn
Cross company learning with 10-15 company leaders that meet virtually monthly for 2 hours.
Session 1
CENTERING THE BIG PICTURE
Introduce the circle process & philosophy. Instill shared values & share commitments or action plans
Session 2
Tools & Resources
Learn best practices on supporting and initiating holistic, scalable, lasting DEI initiatives from practitioners and CEOs. Explore tools to support J.E.D.I work.
Session 3
Roadmap & Operationalizing Change
Frameworks to operationalize plans. How to measure / KPIs. Leveraging action learning in teams
Session 4
Corporate Policy & External Accountability
Building systemic equity within and outside of your organization. How your company can influence change within the industry, markets, and society at large
Session 5
Final Sharing & Community Commitments
CEOs deliver lessons, learnings, & applications. Share refined J.E.D.I plans. CEOs make a J.E.D.I Community Commitment. Accountability
Meet Your Facilitator & Guest Speakers

JAMES D. WHITE
Former Jamba Juice CEO Founding Cohort Leader Author of Anti-Racist Leadership

GUN RUDER
Martinelli's President and CEO Founding Cohort Member

CYNTHIA BILLOPS
Cohort Facilitator, EdD VP of Membership, Operations & Belonging at OSC

BLAIR KELLISON
Traditional Medicinals CEO Founding Cohort Member

MARYANNE HOWLAND
JEDI Collaborative Co-Founder Ibis Communications Founder & CEO
What you’ll gain
- A community of accountability partners and changemakers to support you in your J.E.D.I journey
- An improved action plan for implementing J.E.D.I principles and strategies
- Practical tools and resources to drive J.E.D.I work based on your specific company challenges
- Knowhow to drive action that leads to systemic change in your company
- The ability to speak and lead with authenticity and integrity on J.E.D.I within your company
- Exposure to best-known practices through lived experience, case studies and industry experts
Enrollment Details
PREREQUISITES:
- Identify as a CEO, President or Founder of a natural products company
- Made a public commitment to J.E.D.I or in the development of making one
- Are able to articulate your commitment or general internal plan for implementing J.E.D.I principles & practices
- Have an open mind & embrace vulnerability
SESSION DATES:
- February 25 10-12pm PST
- March 25 10-12pm PST
- April 22 10-12pm PST
- May 13 10-12pm PST
- June 24 10-12pm PST
Format:
This is a 5-month facilitated program that meets once a month.
Participants:
This program is for CEOs, Founders & Presidents leading natural products, food or CPG-based companies who are fully invested in making JEDI a key part of their brand & mission.
We encourage you to apply especially if you are from a marginalized background. We aim to make the circle as diverse as possible across a number of different intersections, such as race, ethnicity, sexual identity, companies, and geography.
Cost:
OSC Members: $1500
General Public: $2500
**Scholarships are available. Please request a scholarship when you submit your application.
Are you ready to take your JEDI commitment to the next level?
Applications for the 2022 cohort are now closed.