Diversity in Nonprofit Boards: Sophia Shaw Featured on Henry Stewart Talks

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On the day of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Sophia Shaw joined Dr. Neil Bradman for a timely and candid conversation on Henry Stewart Talks’ Business & Management Collection, a respected platform featuring expert lectures and interviews used by universities and institutions worldwide.

In this episode, Shaw—Co-founder of PlanPerfect and President of Sophia Shaw & Associates—draws on her experience leading major cultural institutions and advising nonprofits across the U.S. to discuss the real-world implications of diversity and inclusion in nonprofit governance. Framing inclusion as both a personal and institutional responsibility, she challenges the notion that laws alone can create equitable spaces, instead arguing for a deeper, values-driven approach to leadership.

Together, Shaw and Bradman explore complex questions: How should organizations balance legacy with the need for new voices? What role should strategic planning play in board diversification? Is there a limit to inclusion? Shaw emphasizes that while demographic representation is critical, diversity of expertise and lived experience is what truly strengthens board decision-making.

Listeners will appreciate the clarity with which Shaw connects ethical leadership to practical action, and how she grounds systemic change in both human empathy and strategic rigor. The conversation is a reflection of the polarized political context in which it was recorded—and a reminder that the work of inclusive governance transcends political cycles.