Shafer Leadership Academy welcomes two Community Engagement and Inclusion Ambassadors
Shafer Leadership Academy welcomes two Community Engagement and Inclusion Ambassadors to connect individuals with inclusive leadership development opportunities. Charlize Jamieson and Gabrielle Lloyd will join Courtney Jarrett, who was named an inaugural ambassador in 2022.
Jarrett will lead this trio of volunteers as they build relationships across East Central Indiana and provide feedback about the equity of SLA’s programs and policies. Jarrett said she and outgoing ambassadors, Sophie Richau and Daniella Flowers, have seen an impact from the intentional outreach to diversify representation in the region.
“The ambassador role at SLA highlights that we live in a diverse community where all kinds of voices need to be represented, whether on government boards or at nonprofit organizations. The ambassador role is to bridge that gap, to ask folks with diverse identities to speak up and serve and be active in Muncie and Delaware County,” said Jarrett, who — as director of Ball State University’s Disability Services — has embraced the role of Community Inclusion Ambassador for People with Disabilities.
“Many folks with disabilities don’t see themselves in roles in our community, and sometimes there are significant barriers to doing so,” she added. “But I have enjoyed talking to folks with disabilities about their lived experiences and asking them to consider being involved or more involved in our community. Sometimes people just want to be asked to help.”
Mitch Isaacs, executive director of Shafer Leadership Academy, said the ambassadors are particularly focused on listening to members of underrepresented groups.
“We are asking the ambassadors to focus on listening,” he said. “Shafer Leadership Academy is crafting a new strategic plan, and our ambassadors are now asking questions to help us better understand how to engage diverse communities.”
Meet SLA’s newest ambassadors
Charlize Jamieson
Muncie native Charlize Jamieson has more than 40 years of executive and managerial experience, but it’s not her business acumen that drew her to serve as the Community Inclusion Ambassador for LGTQ+ populations. In 2016, Jamieson came out as transgender to her wife of then 17 years and their two kids.
“I expected the worst. I thought I would be rejected by everyone I loved and ridiculed by strangers, but I have lost no one of significance since coming out,” she said. “The people of Muncie, and I get emotional about this, have been supportive beyond measure. I went from thinking I would have nothing to realizing I have everything and then some.”
But life as a transgender woman in East Central Indiana comes with challenges. Jamieson has been publicly ridiculed and challenged. This role, Jamieson said, is an opportunity to spread awareness and build connections with aspiring leaders in the LGBTQ+ community.
“l strive to make being gay, lesbian, bi, non-binary and trans considered ‘normal’ in everyday life, not ‘unusual,’ and I want to break down stereotypes and encourage those in our city to look deeper at the person,” Jamieson said. “I have tried to shine a light on the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and have called out areas we can improve.”
Jamieson said she is excited to speak with businesses — large and small — about how they can become more inclusive and diverse. She hopes to inspire members of the LGBTQ+ community to explore and expand businesses and to be more vocal and active in the region.
Gabrielle “Gabby” Lloyd
Gabby Lloyd, director of the Ball State University Multicultural Center, brings a focus on diversity, equity and social justice as the Community Inclusion Ambassador for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) populations.
The Ball State graduate said she is excited to expand her reach beyond campus to connect diverse populations with the resources, programs and networks they need to achieve. Shafer Leadership, she added, is an affirming and relevant nonprofit that considers diverse perspectives throughout its work.
“I am taking on this role because I think it is important to meet people where they are. We can’t continue to evolve as a society without those voices,” said Lloyd, who served as interim director from July 2022 to May 2023 before assuming the director role. “Roles like these play a vital role in driving organizational success, fostering innovation, and creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces and societies. Muncie has the opportunity to really hear from the voices of those who might not necessarily have the opportunity to share their opinions or be involved in leadership within the city.”
Lloyd said she hopes the people she engages with feel heard. “With a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and celebrating diversity, I try my hardest to give everyone an opportunity to amplify their voice in a meaningful way,” she added.
Lloyd earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications with a minor in African American Studies from Ball State. She earned a master’s in higher education administration and a graduate certificate in African and African Diaspora Studies from Florida International University in Miami.
When not on campus, you can often see Lloyd walking on the White River Greenway with her puppy, Koda.
Courtney Jarrett
Courtney Jarrett has served as the Community Inclusion Ambassador for People with Disabilities since SLA developed the initiative in 2022. The director of Ball State University’s Disability Services said she will continue to advocate for accessibility.
“I want my disabled friends, colleagues and community partners to be at the table where important decisions are made. My role is to help them find the table they want to be at and the opportunities where they can use their voice,” said Jarrett, who has taught Women and Gender Studies’ class for the past 16 years. “I’d like to thank Mitch, the Shafer staff, and the SLA board for seeing the potential in this ambassadors program. There’s nothing else like it in our community and we can already see the benefits. I am so thrilled to be a part of such a great program.”
The three-time graduate of Ball State said looks forward to talking with more people with disabilities about opportunities for professional development, political office and community service.
“I hope I can use my ambassador role to help expand programming options at Shafer so more folks can participate and feel better prepared to be involved in the community,” she added.
Learn more about Inclusive Leadership Development at Shafer Leadership Academy by visiting shaferleadership.com/inclusive-leadership-development