richard webb

We would like to welcome Richard Webb, the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Specialist for the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy.

As a thought leader and talented facilitator, Richard has led and collaborated in different capacities training and facilitating experiences that support successful racial and multicultural inclusiveness within diverse environments. He has worked in educational, corporate, and nonprofit institutions as an innovator, bridge builder, voice, and practitioner. Richard uses developmental approaches that yield demonstrated behavioral outcomes for individuals and organizations that are goal driven, multicultural/racial, proactive, and responsive.  

Richard has a gift in focusing on the strengths of individuals and teams and communicates how their set of unique qualities contribute to leadership development and management performance. He is known for his expertise and strategic use of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) in leadership development of individuals and teams, as well as in enhancing organizations’ Diversity and Inclusion strategies. He is valued by his clients for designing and facilitating authentic and positive learning environments that support awareness, growth, and transformation.

Richard received his Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Ethnic Studies from the University of Northern Iowa and Master of Arts in Education with emphasis in Leadership from Augsburg College. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Instructional Design & Performance Technology from Baker University.

Richard’s life philosophy revolves around a quote from Malcolm X: “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.”

  1. What will you be doing for the Training Academy? I hope to be a catalyst and provide strategic and programmatic leadership for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy and beyond. My role is multifaceted as I will be called to collaborate, lead, assess, develop, coach, and support the MNCWTA as a whole. It’s my goal to contribute in the ways necessary to cultivate and sustain a culture of inclusion where the members of our training academy community are equipped with mindset and skill sets required to support individuals from all racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social and economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religious, political, ideological perspectives, and physical and mental abilities. I hope to provide leadership for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that advance diversity as the critical component that will impact in positive and necessary ways to advance the elimination of disparities in child welfare in Minnesota.
  2. How long have you been working in your field? I have been working in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for more than twenty years.
  3. What do you enjoy most about your work? I enjoy people and the power of the human spirit. It is simply awesome when a person, or group connects with their organic “calling” or “why” and finds their place to be introspective, innovative, and impactful toward eliminating intrapersonal and systemic constructions that create and sustain divisions based on perceived and real differences.
  4. What are you most passionate about professionally? The power of possibilities and collaboration. A personal mantra of mine lives in the South African word “Umbutu” which means I Am Because We Are. I am passionate about people and being able to show up as a companion in ways that would unlock gifts and talents within them and within me so we together can serve.
  5. What are you surprisingly good at? A Capcom video game called Ghost's & Goblins. I actually won a tournament a long time ago that resulted in me obtaining a Guinness Book World Record. Hint: 1987 Edition
  6. What do you like to do outside of work? I will have to admit I am a shopper. The outlet malls are no stranger to me.
  7. What else should we know about you? I am honored to be a member of the MNCWTA community. My goal here is to take one day at a time and put good into the world.