DON’T Become A Trivia Answer: Corporate DEI Is Not A Metric! | feat. Denise Hamilton

Lisa Gardner chats with Denise Hamilton, Founder & CEO of WatchHerWork, about about overcoming workplace challenges, especially for women and people of color. 

Denise shares her experiences as the first Black person in many of her roles, offering advice on staying focused and maintaining integrity in tough situations. The conversation expands to diversity, with Denise describing it as "possibility"—the chance for everyone’s potential to flourish without barriers. Both Lisa and Denise emphasize that diversity drives creativity and innovation, benefiting organizations and society. They critique metrics-based DEI approaches, arguing that real inclusion goes beyond numbers. The episode closes with insights on navigating adversity and embracing diversity as a core value that strengthens both businesses and communities. 

Also in this episode:  

• Diversity as Creativity and Innovation: Diversity goes beyond race or gender. Denise and Lisa emphasize that diverse perspectives foster creativity and innovation, benefiting not just organizations but society as a whole. 

• DEI as a Strategic Advantage: Denise underscores that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should not be seen as charity, but as a way to unlock human potential and enhance business success by removing barriers that limit talent. 

• Structural Biases and Metrics: The interview highlights the pitfalls of relying solely on metrics to measure DEI success. Denise argues that focusing too much on numbers without addressing deeper issues can hinder real progress. 

• Effectiveness Over Authenticity in Professional Settings: Denise points out that while being authentic is important, being effective—achieving objectives—takes precedence in certain professional situations. 

• Impact of Faith and Self-Regulation: Denise discusses how her faith in God and the practice of self-regulation help her stay grounded and maintain focus, which are critical for success in challenging environments. 

• DEI as an Evolving Value, Not a Static Program: Denise argues that DEI, like safety in the oil and gas industry, should evolve into a core value within organizations, not be reduced to rigid quotas or superficial metrics. 

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Denise Hamilton is a nationally recognized Diversity & Inclusion leader and the Founder and CEO of WatchHerWork, a digital platform supporting professional women. With over 25 years of executive experience at Fortune 500 companies like AOL and CBRE, Denise is a highly sought-after speaker, trainer, and media personality, known for her ability to navigate difficult conversations and deliver practical solutions. Her work focuses on closing the gender gap, resolving conflict, and fostering allyship for major clients including Apple, ExxonMobil, and the United Nations. Denise has been featured in prominent media outlets like NPR, Forbes, and FOX, and has been recognized as one of Houston's most influential women. She holds a Master’s in Communication and a BSW from Abilene Christian University, and actively serves on several community boards in Houston, where she resides. 

 Lisa Gardner is a corporate real estate thought leader and co-founder of OMS Strategic Advisors, LLC, focusing on real estate, strategy, and workforce development. With over 25 years of experience, she drives profitability by optimizing human capital, leading diversity initiatives, and crafting corporate strategies. She has managed national accounts for Fortune 500 companies like Wal-Mart and AT&T, and revitalized multicultural marketing for JCPenney. Lisa serves on the Executive Board of SMU's Cox School of Business and contributes to DCEO Magazine. She is active in her community at Gateway Church and lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two children.