Ep. 3 - Imposter syndrome in corporate America

Denisha Jenkins

Writer l Speaker l

Racial Equity & Cultural Inclusion Strategist

“That work harder part, I think for those who wrestle with imposter syndrome… that’s something they’ve been taught over and over. That ‘you have to be two times better.’” - Denisha Jenkins, The Inclusion Advisor

Studies have shown that perceived prejudices within the workplace can fuel imposter feelings or worsen their impact on women and people of color. McKinsey & Company found that 45% of women of color have been the only person of their gender in corporate rooms, and the number is even higher for women in STEM fields.

Denisha Jenkins, affectionately known as “Neena” or “The Inclusion Advisor”, is the founding Chief Executive Officer of Kardia Advisory Group, a women of color led diversity management consultancy based in Austin, Texas.

Prior to founding Kardia Advisory Group, Denisha pioneered a multi-faceted partnership between MIT and Singapore University of Technology, managed civic projects on behalf of the U.S. State Department, and helped community leaders secure over $600K in grant funding to address disparate outcomes.

As an Equity and Cultural Inclusion Strategist, she has been facilitating trauma-informed, antiracist change and development for corporate and nonprofit workspaces in the U.S. and abroad for 15 years.

Neena unmasks:

• How the mainstream corporate experience can foster imposter feelings.

• Biases and stereotypes in the workplace that contribute to the imposter phenomenon.

Watch the full episode :