What would happen if you introduced yourself authentically at work—by your cultural identities—instead of relying on your professional credentials?
We wanted to introduce ourselves to you by first sharing our Cultural Biographies™ because we use this tool in our coaching and coach-based training for fostering inclusive workplaces.
Murray A. Mann, Managing Partner & Chief Coaching Officer
Murray Allen Moshe ben Gershon Martinez Mann is of Argentinean, Mediterranean, and Russian heritage; lived in a Catholic and Jewish household – as Murray says “with a round guilt trip ticket.”
He is male, straight, and a LGBT ally. Being a person with a disability is one of those things Murray “forgets,” until someone, consciously or unconsciously, treats him in marginalizing ways.
Murray is a parent of four who lost two adult children. He is a Baby Boomer and a member of the Sandwich Generation caring for an aging parent and a grandson whom he adopted at the age of two.
Murray’s guiding values are Amor de La Vida (Love of Life), Familia (family) y Comunidad (community). Early on, Murray’s multicultural upbringing and experience navigating physical barriers and human biases taught him to see every person as unique and differently gifted and started him on a life-long journey to empower people and organizations to follow their calling.
For Murray, trust in the workplace does not come immediately because one has a title or credentials. Trust evolves through the building of relationships, creating mutual understanding and actual experience. Culturally it often involves creating a safe space for self-disclosure and being authentic. Just as respect looks different in various cultures, the same applies to the many cultures of “people with disabilities.” For Murray, Respect, Dignity, and Personhood are intertwined.
Contact Murray Mann
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Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias, Managing Partner & Chief Strategy Officer
Rose Mary Bombela Tobias was born Mexican-American, Catholic, and Democrat. Now she is Hispanic, Republican, and still Catholic.
Born to Mexican immigrants, Rose Mary began her multicultural education when her family sent her to a Lithuanian grammar school where she studied Lithuanian for six years, but could never properly learn the Lithuanian folk dances. It was the beginning of her understanding of what it means to “not having a proper fit”.
Growing up in El Paso, Texas. Rose Mary was the first in her family to graduate from college. Her work as a social activist began when her almost all white high school experienced a growth of Mexican American students who were placed in remedial education. Rose Mary led the fight to declassify them as “deficient”.
She follows the traditional servant leadership style of her Mexican roots. Her belief is that every action we take has an impact on those around us.
Rose Mary is married, stepmom to two daughters and grandmother to five.
Contact Rose Mary Bombela
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Adela Peña, Chief Learning Officer and Coach
Adela Victoria Peña is a second generation Mexican-American. She grew up in a multicultural neighborhood in Saginaw, Michigan. Early on she learned the value of her culture, and the role of culture in shaping our identities and world view.
As a 2nd Generation Mexican-American, she had to learn how to navigate two cultures. This meant that sometimes she was viewed by other Hispanics as not being Hispanic enough or marginalized by non-Hispanics. This reinforced her desire to help others understand the impact of their cultural influences and our shared commonalities.
One aspect of her Hispanic culture that influences her current values is the level of respect and care one gives to their elders. For example, in her family, an aunt, and first cousin never married and remained in the household to care for their aging parents. This experience taught her that family comes first.
Education was also a strong family value. She relied on this value when she earned her Master’s degree from Michigan State University while raising her son and working her way through school.
When developing relationships, Adela believes that trust is developed slowly over time. Trust does not come immediately because one has a title or credentials. Instead, it is developed through sharing levels of self-disclosure, and being authentic.
Adela believes respect is demonstrated by being treated in a way that acknowledges one’s values and feelings and avoids transgressions against them.