Description

• A breakdown of 8 common cognitive shortcuts that shape decisions
• Hands-on practice with 7 actionable bias reduction strategies
• A take-home reflection tool to support long-term growth

Meet Jawanza and Heather

Jawanza Evans is the Assistant Chief Diversity Officer for Community, Training, Education, and Belonging at Grinnell College, where she leads campus-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion education focused on intercultural competence, belonging, and inclusive leadership. With experience spanning higher education, K–12 systems, and nonprofit organizations, she has facilitated equity-centered professional development, supported institutional strategy, and partnered with community stakeholders to advance inclusive practices. She holds a master’s degree in Management with a concentration in Communication Management and is a Qualified Administrator for both the Intercultural Development Inventory and Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory. 

Heather Jones-Brown is an equity champion and civic advocate whose work spans higher education, public service, and community organizing. Rooted in the Midwest and shaped by international experience, she brings a citizen diplomacy lens to coalition-building; drawing from her time in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Sister Cities International, and Iowa Sister States, where she worked in an international environment fostering cross-cultural partnerships. Heather’s approach is relationship-centered and accountability-driven, focused on preventing harm, building trust, and helping systems serve people more justly. She currently serves as Assistant Chief Diversity Officer for Staff Equity at Grinnell College, where she leads efforts to embed equity into hiring, retention, and daily practice. She’s held leadership roles with the Des Moines NAACP and continues to support civic education and grassroots organizing across Iowa. Heather holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations from William Jewell College and a Master’s in Business Leadership from William Penn University. Learn more at www.heatherjonesbrown.com.