Leading with Kindness, Courage, and Joy: A New Chapter for My Business

Why I Refreshed My Website — And What It Means for the Work Ahead

You may have noticed I recently gave my website a complete refresh — and if you're wondering why, I’m excited to share the story behind it.

First and foremost, it was overdue. When I launched my consulting practice in 2016, I was still figuring out exactly how I wanted to show up in this work. At the time, my website focused mostly on *what* I did — listing services, offering general guidance — but it didn’t really capture *why* I do this work or *how* I engage with the people and organizations I serve.

Over the years, my purpose and approach have become much clearer. I know now that I want to work with clients and teams in a way that is fully authentic — bringing my personal style, my values, and my unique experiences forward in every interaction.

If you know me, you know that kindness is core to who I am (it’s even on my license plate: BEEKYND). My tattoos reflect my deepest beliefs: kindness, openness, courage, and joy. Yet none of that was truly shining through in my online presence.

This refresh is about making sure that what you see on my site matches what you get when you work with me. It's about being real. It's about making it clear that I'm not here to be a "one size fits all" consultant. I am here to work with organizations and leaders who believe — like I do — that compassion, values, integrity, and joy are critical for lasting success.

There’s one more important reason behind this refresh, too:

Right now, many organizations are feeling pressure to pull back from their DEI commitments. Whether it’s due to political climates, economic shifts, or internal challenges, I know that some leaders are struggling with how to move forward in a way that stays true to their original intentions while navigating new realities.

I want to partner with organizations that still believe in the heart of this work — even if they need to do it differently. Those who understand that embedding equity, inclusion, belonging, and respect into their culture isn't about checking boxes or responding to trends. It's about building stronger, healthier, more human organizations.

I am committed to helping clients integrate these essential values thoughtfully and authentically — not as a side project, but as part of how they lead, hire, engage, and grow.

As we step into the second quarter of 2025, I’m feeling more aligned, energized, and ready than ever to support those who are ready to lead with heart.

If you're looking for a partner who will bring kindness, openness, courage, joy, and strategic guidance to your journey — I’d love to connect.

Bettina Straight

Bettina Straight is a training consultant and the Chief Inclusion Officer and SVP of Talent, Leadership and Culture at So Others Might Eat, a non-profit organization in Washington, DC that serves the homeless community. She holds a BA in Sociology, an MS in Student Personnel Administration, and has been training on various leadership and diversity topics for over 20 years. 

As a trainer, her goal is to help participants see a subject from a new perspective, to engage them in respectful, honest, and productive conversation, and to leave them with a sense of connectedness and new understanding.  Using personal experiences, observations, and the wisdom of those who know more than she does (as well as a bit of humor), Bettina’s superpower is creating a comfortable environment where people feel safe enough to share and engage.

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