My Fuel
I equip and empower individuals and organizations to be their best.
How? By igniting courage that burns down problematic paradigms that create barriers to effective leadership, community, joy, belonging, justice, and instead allows us to reflect light. We do this together through education, skill building, habit change, developing strategic goal maps, authentic connection and communication, and systemic change.
What drives my work and service?
Every person is worthy of human dignity, connection, love, belonging and justice. This core belief, shared by people of all backgrounds, is driven by my faith for me.
My four key values are:
UNLEASHING JUSTICE AND EQUITY
I use my voice, skills, experience, privilege and access to advocate for those marginalized and muted by systems, structures, cultures and persons, and oppose the inequitable paradigms that hold up oppressive structures and systems. Whether it is using my legal skills, writing on timely issues, teaching in church or small group, serving in community groups or non-profit boards, or at work my commitment is justice and equity.
EQUIPPING BELONGING AND INCLUSION
Our need for belonging, connection, inclusion and visibility is non-negotiable and without them we are unhealthy - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Equipping individuals to build bridges across differences and opportunities, to empower them to create inclusive cultures, groups, communities and organizations, empowering people to improve their inclusion competencies and cultivate belonging is a unique skill I bring to my work and interactions. I live out this value by raising awareness, communication, training, advising, coaching, and driving change in organizations with a special focus on working directly with leaders. In my personal life my husband would say I model the motto, “love people, cook them tasty food.”
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
Within each of us is potential. We start with dreams that sometimes are deferred or killed. Sometimes our visions are stillborn. Some visions are born but do not get to grow. What gets in the way? How do we go from being curious kids with imaginations to having inner ceilings, limiting beliefs, and lives shaped by external expectations? With intention and plan, potential becomes meaningful positive growth. I thrive on helping individuals re-imagine what their lives could be by championing self-discovery, continual growth and living their best lives.
RESTORING AUTHENTICITY
Living a life of authenticity and reflecting our individual truths is about uncovering the beauty and power within us. A lifetime of messages of how we should be, how we should show up, what we should aspire to, what we can and cannot do, ways we should play small or conform bombard us and result in us putting on layers. We cover, wear masks, adopt goals and definitions that are not true to us. Cultivating and practicing authenticity is making daily choices to connect to who we truly are. This process of connection to our authentic selves is a restoration process, removing the layers to reveal the self that has been covered. The practice of authenticity starts with us and requires courage.
"If you want the very best in the space of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, it has to be Kori Carew. When she speaks people listen and learn, because she inspires ands finds the right way to say what needs to be said. I have had the honor and privilege to witness some of her best work from the awe inspiring Ted Talk that got the attention of Brené Brown to Kori’s interviews of the key players dealing with some of the most significant racially based incidents we have seen in our time. Kori weaves her own experience into each amazing presentation and educational experience whether she is talking about courageous leadership, communications or how to address micro-aggressions."
— Heidi Friedman, Partner, Founder, Women’s Initiative (Spotlight on Women), Thompson Hine