Candace Yung Coaching and Consulting
Incorporating Inclusion with Empathy and Empowerment

Imagine having the power to fight exclusion based on intersecting marginalized identities such as gender, race, religion, disability, and sexuality. The fight is possible only through proper implementation of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in the workplace.

This was personally experienced by Candace Yung, owner of Candace Yung Coaching and Consulting. Her workplace became a safe space with exceptional leaders and team members who accepted her and gave her a sense of belonging and purpose after a lifetime of exclusion

The experience led to the creation of Candace Yung Coaching and Consulting, which helps organizations integrate EDI principles into existing programs, policies, processes, resources and strategies. It also tries to understand the unique needs, vision and experiences of the people in the organization by using methods like interviews, focus groups, surveys, assessments, and everyday conversations.

Yung has a background in learning and organizational development and is experienced in approaching EDI with a focus on large-scale systemic change and individual growth.

Candace Yung Coaching and Consulting, with all its expertise, offers custom programs and curriculum, in-person or virtual workshops, webinars, coaching, and other resources.

“Our company believes it’s crucial to infuse EDI content and conversations with inspiration, engagement and humor. These discussions need not be daunting and can be enlightening and uplifting,” says Yung.

Through its services, the company engages in sensitive topics and creates a safer space for dialogues, learning and collaboration. It acknowledges that complete safety for everyone at all times is unattainable and therefore focuses on proactively making an environment where more people can share, feel heard and be proud to contribute their perspectives.

It is able to create safer learning environments by acknowledging intersectionality and recognizing that an individual’s truth cannot be applied to an entire group. This means that participants are not expected to represent specific identity groups solely based on their membership. The learning environments are set up to normalize and accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences; emotional, mental, and physical needs; and competing schedules. Participants are also encouraged to prioritize their well-being by having full autonomy and flexibility in how they engage with the content.

The company uses storytelling to humanize the EDI topics and build connections between participants. Its founder leads the method by example and shares her personal stories to build trust by showing vulnerability and challenging dominant perspectives. This method promotes emotional awareness, effective listening, empathetic understanding and courageous conversations - the foundations for creating a more inclusive future.

All these methods help address the strong emotions of anger, fear, shame and guilt associated with sensitive EDI topics like race, gender, sexuality, disability, power, and privilege. It helps clients navigate challenges like funding cuts, political divides and internal struggles among leaders and teams. The company’s willingness to help clients was showcased when it facilitated transformative change within an organization plagued by a culture of fear and poor communication. It developed a roadmap addressing policy review and leadership engagement after listening to and understanding employees’ experiences. Through scientifically validated assessments and coaching, the leadership team was ready to lead EDI initiatives independently. They implemented EDI principles into everyday practices by redesigning offices, revamping practices and policies, updating communication templates for accessibility, setting up systems to continuously benchmark the employee experience, embedding EDI into existing learning programs, and offering multilingual support.

Another factor that sets Candace Yung Coaching and Consulting apart is the emphasis on inclusive leadership and its connection to organizational culture, team dynamics, employee engagement, change management and psychological safety. It also links the acts of allyship to leadership and believes that anyone can be a leader regardless of title and experience. The company emphasizes that true leaders are committed to allyship actions, including selfawareness, having genuine mutual relationships, empowering others to be the best version of themselves, removing barriers, and challenging systemic inequities.

Candace Yung Coaching and Consulting champions EDI by combining systemic change with individual empowerment.

Its distinct human-centered methodology and strategic approach help leaders and organizations achieve their vision for a more engaged, equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace.