The Puzzle: Blog

Camille Edwards is Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Friends Academy (NY)

 

1. What is the core of your current job, on a day-to-day basis?

DEI work at Friends Academy is organized into five buckets: program, curriculum, hiring and retention, professional development, and relationships and culture, so my work is always living in one of those five domains. I could start the day reading with pre-K students, and then interview a prospective teacher, meet with a family, gather with the student leadership group, teach my own class, and run a parent program. Every day is different, and I get to see every pocket of who we are as a school.

2. What was your first job in education? What are the major steps you’ve taken since then?

My first job in education was at Friends Academy, working as a part-time dance educator while running professional development for teachers around their own goals related to communication, leadership, and team building. When I joined Friends Academy full-time, I was consulting half the day and teaching dance and choreographing the other half of the day. I fell in love with being in a school every day and supporting families: there is so much life, energy, love, and spirit that keeps you on your toes.

I left Friends Academy for a few years and went to work for the Society for Neuroscience, supporting two DEI-focused grants. Then I went to Lululemon to focus on people and culture. I worked for their daughter company, Ivivva, which was for young athletes. I worked with athletes on vision and goal setting, empowerment, and positive self-identity. In each of my roles, I’ve focused on helping people grow towards their goals.

When Ivivva closed, that was the impetus I needed to start my own consulting business, while continuing to work in hiring for Lululemon. By then, I knew that I wanted to focus on people and culture; diversity, equity, and inclusion; program design; and professional development. That has stayed constant throughout my career.

In 2018, I had the opportunity to return to Friends Academy in a full-time Director of DEI role. Since I had continued consulting for FA while I was away, I had strong relationships at the school that helped me bridge the gap from their previous Director of Multicultural Affairs role to my Director of DEI role.

Thankfully, I’ve also been able to continue consulting through my own company, for a range of organizations from startups and creative organizations, to more established companies and universities.

3. It sounds like you are juggling a lot. What tools or strategies help you manage all the demands on your time?

I learned in college how my brain learns best. I am visual learner, and that has informed how I walk through my life. In any meeting, I have my notebook, calendar, and blank notepad to stay visually connected to information. I love to make lists and color code.

I think a lot about how to maximize my time and what it means to not glorify a culture of busy-ness. When I was in my early 20s, I was more go-go-go. Now, in my 30s, I am streamlining how I work and what I do, so that the quality of my work goes before the quantity. In my role, I often feel like I am alone when the dust settles, and there is still so much to do. I have learned to value depth over breadth, which has bene both a spiritual and analytical journey for me.

4. Have you had a career detour or surprise that has—perhaps in retrospect—served you well?

When Ivivva closed, that was what pushed me to start my own consulting practice. I thought I was going to be there forever, but when the business closed, there was no opportunity for that career trajectory anymore. I was pushed into something I wasn’t completely sure I was ready for, but I’ve learned that when you are a little bit afraid, that’s the thing you should go for.

5. You mentioned that when you started your own consulting business, you had to learn to keep your imposter syndrome at bay. How did you do that?

Returning to education helped. I am constantly in front of young people, encouraging them. I have learned to take my own advice and to think about what I want to be for them. Even as I am holding a young girl’s hand on one side, I am holding a mentor’s hand on the other side. I am thankful for these intergenerational relationships and that I am not alone in my feelings, doubts, or journey as a woman of color who is often in minority spaces.

6. Where do you look for inspiration, support, and advice? Perhaps a specific person, group of people, author, thought leader, or community?

Brené Brown, full stop. I love the way she speaks about shame, vulnerability, and leadership. She is one of my biggest inspirations.

I love the poetry of Cloe Wade and Amanda Gorman and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and peace activist. So much of the work I do is nestled in my corporeal existence, so I want to connect to thought leaders who help me think about my spirit, mind, and heart.

7. What is the best career advice you have received? From whom?

Just ask for help. I never wanted people to presume that I couldn’t figure something out because I am young, a person of color, or female, so I didn’t ask for help. My mentors have really pushed me on that and helped me see that I don’t have to be bionic. I can ask for simple and small things, like five minutes to grab lunch, or bigger things, like allyship in an important conversation.

8. We’ve all heard plenty about the need for self-care over the past few years. How do you relax and recharge?

I nurture my relationship with my physical body and believe in “sweating at least once each day.” I do yoga and meditate, and my spirituality practice also includes aromatherapy. My home is full of family, music, and food. Cooking good food and laughing is medicine for me, and going on a hike with my partner and my dog is life-giving.

9. Is there a motto, quote, or saying that you try to live/lead by?

“Be here, now.” Whatever is happening in the moment, I try to be present in it.

10. What advice would you share with those aspiring to leadership? What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell myself, “Whatever you do, do it with love, because you will never be led astray.” Just because something feels non-linear and isn’t what you planned doesn’t mean the next best adventure isn’t waiting for you. I am so grateful for every time the universe had a plan and I said yes, and every time the path curved, and I just took the journey. I have found liberation in that, learning to bend, not to hold things so tightly.

11. What’s the last great book you read?

I recommend “Mindful of Race,” by Ruth King, all the time. She writes about racism as a heart disease that is curable. I didn’t start grappling with my spiritual identity around race until I read this book. King offers beautiful queries to come back to over and over. Her writing is fresh, accessible, and universal.

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