Explore our upcoming events and workshops designed to inspire, educate, and empower individuals and organizations in their journey toward equity-driven success.
When we recognize our mindset and our biases, we gain the ability to make conscious, deliberate choices that interrupt the cycles of inequity affecting our workplaces, industries, and communities.
Finding your superpowers at work is not about being perfect. It is about being effective, energized, and confident. A strengths-based approach recognizes that people do their best work when they are allowed to be their best selves.
Unlike conventional markers of success, noble goals resist shortcuts and demand consistency, humility, and integrity even when no one is watching, ultimately producing something more enduring than recognition: trust and character.
By approaching feedback with reflection, curiosity, and self‑awareness, this blog shows how you can transform criticism into a tool for personal and professional learning rather than a source of stress.
Learn how growth and fixed mindsets shape more than performance. They shape culture. In this blog we discuss how mindset work is ongoing rather than something a team “achieves” once.
When most of us think about feedback, we jump right to the big moments like year-end reviews or Q1 conversations. Feedback is really about how we support each other day to day. That's where trust, confidence, and real growth take root.
Looking ahead together as a team reinforces a sense of belonging and shared ownership. It reminds everyone that even though the work can be difficult, no one is doing it alone. Above all, the new year invites possibility and room for growth.
Funding is increasingly limited, community needs are growing, and organizations often face pressure to compete for the same dwindling resources. Yet adopting a growth mindset allows nonprofits to approach challenges differently. Instead of dwelling on scarcity, ask: What is possible? How can we make a greater impact together?
Join us for an inspiring evening featuring excellent food, music, and meaningful connections with leaders who are driving positive change in our community.
Getting involved in your community doesn’t require special skills or a perfect plan—just a willingness to start, connect with others, and take small, sustainable steps that align with what matters to you, which together create meaningful change.
By combining self-awareness and curiosity to balance our instinctive brain shortcuts with intentional, logical decision-making, organizations can build resilient, inclusive cultures of growth that drive innovation, engagement, and improved business outcomes.
By grounding their finance team transition in shared values and co-leadership, Step Up: Equity Matters and YWCA Madison turned a complex change into an opportunity for stronger, more mission-driven financial leadership.
The Think, Feel, Act model helps individuals and organizations get unstuck by using emotional intelligence to recognize and shift thoughts, feelings, or actions, turning emotional data into purposeful growth and positive change.
Embedding DEI into leadership development ensures leaders gain essential skills by making inclusion an integral part of all training, resulting in more effective, empathetic, and representative leadership.
The wage gap isn't one number—it's a system of inequality that deepens at every intersection of race, gender, identity, and ability. Here's why Equal Pay Day still matters.
Cofounder Tania Ibarra shares how persistent challenges in DEI work inspired the creation of Step Up Together—a community where we transform struggle into collective action and keep our light shining.
Tania Ibarra's powerful op-ed "DEI is under assault" sparked the creation of Step Up Together, a vibrant community where professionals connect, access resources, and implement equity initiatives in workplaces and communities nationwide.
Trust forms the essential foundation for meaningful social impact work. It's built through consistent actions, transparency, accountability, and authentic listening. Join our community to develop these crucial skills.
Monster's DEI survey reveals a deeper truth: DEI isn’t just for a few—it creates smarter, fairer, and thriving workplaces for all. When done right, equity benefits everyone. Are we ready to lean in?
Explore how the Johari Window deepens self-awareness. Through feedback and reflection, uncover hidden strengths and biases to become a more inclusive leader and foster meaningful change.
Nonprofit mergers involve more than aligning budgets—they require blending unique missions, values, and cultures, demanding a thoughtful approach to create lasting cohesion and shared purpose.
Emotional intelligence is more than a skill; it’s a leader’s guide through today’s challenges. Discover how empathy, resilience, and self-awareness shape workplaces where everyone thrives.
Authenticity is about aligning with your values, strengths, and culture—not acting impulsively. It’s the guide to navigating decisions with integrity, fostering genuine connections in the workplace.
A reflection on Women’s Equality Day, exploring the progress made since the 19th Amendment and the ongoing challenges in DEI. We celebrate strides while acknowledging the work still needed for true equality.
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality. Learn about its history and how you can celebrate and support the Black community.
A coaching conversation reveals the power of empathy in challenging assumptions. Can prioritizing diversity truly harm quality? Explore how one individual's journey through self-discovery and open dialogue led to a surprising realization.
Celebrate Pride year-round by fostering inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued & empowered. Learn how to create a culture of belonging for all.
Workplace stress got you down? DEI conversations could be your secret weapon! Discover how they reduce ambiguity, boost safety, build empathy, and empower employees.
Moms often shoulder the majority of back-to-school responsibilities due to ingrained gender roles. By encouraging open dialogue, shared duties, and empowering all family members, we can create a more balanced and collaborative approach to the back-to-school season.
Floyd's murder demanded real change, but traditional diversity efforts fall short. Enter Step Up: Equity Matters. Their Uprooting Bias Challenge assesses & trains employees for lasting DEI change. Measure readiness, provide personalized learning, & build capacity. See how Slipstream transformed their culture & ditch the "spaghetti approach." Ready? Contact Step Up today!
Listen to Tania Ibarra, Co-Founder of Step Up: Equity Matters in conversation with Bravebird's Alex Miranda Cruz about their pioneering of a new filmmaking wave called Cinema Dignité. Historically, visual media such as film, television, and photography have collectively portrayed a distorted image of life. Bravebird's mission is to transform the way narratives depict diversity and gender on-screen. During this talk, we'll learn about their method that allows for diversity to run from the top-bottom and bottom-up, and about their upcoming feature film, Trace the Line.
Been there, done that: the yearly D&I training that feels more like a box-checking exercise than real learning. For Tania, that wasn't enough. She spent years studying and building a better approach at Step Up: Equity Matters. This post dives into the key differences between the traditional D&I approach and a more impactful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) model.
Last month, Step Up cofounder Amy Kesling had the opportunity to participate in a weeklong emotional intelligence training from the global EQ leader, Six Seconds.
Forget the myth of "bias-free" hiring. Instead, recognize and work with your biases for a more inclusive approach. This blog explores the dangers of overcorrection and the importance of open communication with your hiring team. Learn how embracing your biases, not eliminating them, can lead to better hiring decisions and a more welcoming workplace culture.
Leading a board can be exciting, but navigating the space as the only person of color presents unique challenges. This blog explores the unseen pressures, from feeling invisible to carrying the burden of representation. It also offers actionable steps for organizations to build a more equitable and inclusive boardroom, fostering the full potential of every member.
Feeling lost in the world of DEI (Diversity Equity, and Inclusion)? You're not alone! Dive deep into the distinct meanings and nuances of these terms, often used interchangeably but carrying crucial differences.
While biases are natural, they can have harmful effects, especially in workplaces. This blog explores the origins of bias, its impact on talent management, and the importance of self-reflection and action in dismantling these unconscious judgments. Step Up encourages individuals and organizations to pledge to disrupt biases and create a more equitable environment.
Feeling like the office "hostess" despite your actual job title? You're not alone. This post shines a light on the subtle yet harmful microaggressions women often face in the workplace, highlighting their impact on stress, anxiety, and belonging. We dive into common examples like "Where are you really from?" unpacking their underlying biases and harm. Remember, even seemingly innocent comments can be papercuts that accumulate, leaving deep scars.
Imagine judging someone's talent without seeing them. The Voice does it, highlighting hidden potential. But in real-life interviews, biases like accent and speed can hold back talented candidates. Discover strategies to create a fairer hiring process and unlock true potential.
Ever encountered a colleague who proudly declares they're "color blind"? It's a common phrase, but does it truly reflect equality? This blog explores how, despite diverse networks, unconscious biases can still creep in, impacting how we interact with colleagues. Learn how to respond to "color blind" statements with curiosity and understanding, and explore resources to equip yourself for conversations that challenge biases and promote inclusivity.
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