In the fifth installment of Superpowers at Work, a new podcast from Siero Media, Dr. Millicent Ruffin delved into her role as the Director of Community Affairs in the Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity (ORESU) at Corning, shedding light on the challenges, successes, and the transformational power of purpose-driven leadership.

In the dynamic world of leadership, the way in which one becomes a visionary leader can vary drastically, and the story featured in this episode is no exception. Dr. Ruffin has over two decades of experience at Corning and joined host Sissy Siero to reflect on her unique journey in leading at the intersection of technology and community engagement. 

Dr. Ruffin's career trajectory is as diverse as her skill set. Starting as a chemist in the lab, she progressed through roles, eventually becoming a business technology director. A few years ago, she made a significant pivot to become the first Director of Community Affairs in the Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity. In this role, she found herself leading not just at the pace of technology but also at the rhythm of community needs.

The challenge was formidable – creating a department with no pre-existing model. Dr. Ruffin emphasized the importance of strategy as the most translatable skill, from technology to community engagement. In the absence of a roadmap, she had to build the team and formulate strategies that were unique to the communities they served.

Transitioning from leading in the tech realm to community engagement required an adjustment in Dr. Ruffin's leadership style. She initially brought a sense of urgency and came in with “a bit of a bull in the china shop mentality.” Stating further, “I really had to adjust into my new context. And so my style and my edges were quite sharp for my colleagues.”

Recognizing the different pace and urgency of community engagement, she evolved her approach, emphasizing the need for healthy conflict and creating a safe space for diverse opinions within her team. She pointed out her own measure of a healthy team within a safe space: “The way I know that I'm doing it right and we're functioning well is actually when we can have healthy conflict.”

The conversation shifted to the catalyst behind Corning's podcast, "Vital Voices,” which focuses on amplifying community stories. It all started during the 2020 election process: “In our small little town of Corning, New York, there was a protest on…the main street. And it was during a Trump rally and a Black Lives Matter rally that were happening at the same time. And it was a student who intervened before any violence could happen,” Dr. Ruffin explained.

Building from this experience of noticing some voices in her community were not being heard, Dr. Ruffin partnered with Siero Media to build a podcast to serve as a platform for students and communities to share their experiences. The podcast also reflects the broadening scope and impact of Corning's community-focused initiatives over the years.

In discussing the role of corporations in social impact, Dr. Ruffin emphasized the need for companies to extend their influence beyond traditional metrics. By investing in communities and addressing needs like childcare, quality education, and a diverse workforce, corporations not only improve the lives of their employees but also secure a sustainable and engaged workforce.

The upcoming season of "Vital Voices" dives into health equity, shedding light on the impact of racial disparities in healthcare. Dr. Ruffin discussed the challenges of tackling complex problems and the necessity of approaching solutions with an open mind. She said that unpacking these deeply personal stories from Corning employees is “the part around like health equity and social determinants of health that we're really amplifying in this season of Vital Voices because these are all the things that impact people's quality of life and their ability to go through their day-to-day lives with minimal disruptions and a high quality of life that we all take for granted.” She is focused on sharing stories at the intersection of health equity and workplace experiences through this season of Vital Voices. 

Leading communities isn't just a job for Dr. Ruffin; it's an identity. She reflected on how her professional journey has shaped her, noting that “I've always been a scientist, as my primary focus in life. And technical challenges, while I would still think about them in the evenings or on the weekends, they did not consume me the way this role does. And so it's hard to think about this role as a job because I am the communities that I'm leading.” Dr. Ruffin added that, “I am the communities that I am trying to represent at the same time. and so it is very difficult for me to compartmentalize, and to kind of turn my brain off.”

Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership. From a chemist in the lab to a community affairs director, her story inspires leaders to navigate uncharted territories with empathy, strategy, and an open mind. As she continues to break new ground in community engagement, Dr. Ruffin's story serves as a beacon for those seeking to lead with compassion, impact lives, and drive positive change.

We want to thank Dr. Millicent Ruffin for sharing her valuable insights into creating a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, belonging, and equity both within the workplace and in communities. You can listen to the full podcast here or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

If you are interested in learning more about how your company can leverage audio messaging to become a force for good, click here to start the conversation. We are excited to connect with you! 

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