All posts by Lorne Steedley

ADR Advisor Lorne Steedley is the Diversity and Inclusive Growth Vice Pres. at Chattanooga's Chamber of Commerce and an accomplished professional with experience in community development, partnership building and driving strategic initiatives. Steedley led Motus Consulting USA, LLC, a management consultancy providing services to groups engaged in transformation, including nonprofits, corporations, and government entities. A former International Fellow of the Emerging Leaders Program in the Graduate School of Business at the U. of Cape Town, S. Africa, he's also a former Research Fellow at M.I.T.'s Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Steedley received a B.A. from the U. of South Carolina, a M.S. in Human Services from the U. of Massachusetts-Boston and a M.A. in Sociology from Boston College.
ADR Advisors, Authors R-Z, Trends 2024: Divisive World

AI and Inclusive Economic Development – by Lorne Steedley

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Today the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and economic growth is the headlines of news, and social media all over the world. As the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusive Growth at Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, I’m keenly aware of the challenges facing historically marginalized small businesses in our city. Our organization is committed to ensuring that all businesses can be productive and profitable. That’s why I’m excited about the potential for  AI to stimulate economic growth by helping businesses thrive.

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Authors R-Z, Teams & Leaders

The Value of Servant Leadership – by Lorne Steedley

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As an executive, I am often asked about the best approaches for developing strong, values-based leaders in organizations. One model that I frequently recommend is servant leadership.

Servant leadership prioritizes the needs of colleagues, stewardship of resources, and service over personal power and control. The concept was first developed in the 1970s by Robert Greenleaf who believed leaders should focus first on serving others to bring out the best in their people and organizations.

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Diversity Town Hall 2021

Diversity Town Hall 2021: Lorne Steedley

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Lorne Steedley serves as Vice President, Diversity and Inclusive Growth at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. 

As I began to frame my thoughts for this presentation, I was reminded of the Chamber’s effort to capture hopes and aspirations found in the Chattanooga Climbs strategic plan. These aspirations included: increasing regional prosperity, delivering economic mobility for all, and fostering inclusive economy through collaborative leadership.

Building off the Chattanooga Climbs strategic plan, I began my efforts at the Chamber as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusive Growth by focusing on the business case for racial equity. The business case for racial equity was first coined by a special report by the WK Kellogg Foundation published in 2018. The report elevated the economic cost of exclusion to the US marketplace through institutional barriers. That said the report stated that economic growth is achievable through reforms in lending, education, criminal justice, housing, health disparities, business development, and training.
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