Welcome to the fifth episode of Superpowers at Work, produced by Siero Media, where host Sissy Siero sits down with Millicent Ruffin, a visionary leader, Director of Community Affairs in the Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity at Corning, and host of Vital Voices. Dr. Ruffin shares her compelling journey from chemist to leader, and how local events in her community inspired her to take action at work. Dr. Ruffin and Sissy unpack how audio messaging and storytelling can be powerful tools for workplace connection; engaging the workplace in an even more impactful way! 

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Learn more about Siero Media at sieromedia.com and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Learn more about Millicent Ruffin here. 

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Show links: 

Listen now to Vital Voices Season 2!

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Transcript:

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Millicent: Leading at the pace of technology is very different from leading at the pace of community engagement.

[Music in]

SISSY VO: We’re all aspirational when it comes to improving our work environments. But what are the metrics of success? How do we measure that?

Millicent: I am Dr. Millicent Ruffin. I have worked with Corning for 21 years. 21 years - check the math. [Laughing]

SISSY VO: I’m so happy today that we’re talking to my good friend, Dr. Millicent Ruffin, a visionary leader and the driving force behind community development for a fortune 500 company worth over $20 billion.

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[Music out]

Millicent: My background is, is chemistry. So I started working in the lab, and leading a small team, and then decided that I wanted to get more, product development experience and more program management experience and just kind of grew my career in that space. And so I've gone from, chemist to eventually a business technology director. And then a few years ago made a significant career pivot to become the Director of Community Affairs in the Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity. And that's the role that I'm currently in.

Sissy: That's where I met you. I met you once you had made that change. I didn't know you as a chemist.

Millicent: Yeah. I think so much of, of what we do, and really, you know, what a, a PhD is all about is learning how to solve problems. And as you progress through your career, you know, certainly you develop subject matter expertise and so you develop that, that leadership and that experience within a specific area. But, what you also learn is how to find, you know, failure modes and you learn what to look out for.

But primarily you learn strategy. And the, the most translatable skill from technology into the Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity was strategy. And how do I create a plan from just white space? 

[Music in]

Because when we created this office, there was, there was not a role model, you know, there was not a map of, here you can build it off of this.

Sissy:  Right. You were the first director, right? You were the first director of it? Yeah.

Millicent: There were a lot of companies entering this space at the same time. But when you work in the community, everything is unique to the community that you're serving. And so, you know, everything we had to do had to be built off of the community that we were serving.

Sissy: I love that you had to build a team, because this is something I really, something I really relate to. Something that I, I learned because I didn't know what else to do and I wasn't, you know, I didn't know about strategy and, and how to create that. Luckily I found people who do and did. But how did you come to finding your, your heart in your, in your strategy, I guess I wanna say, or in the way your modus operandi, right? To become an effective, compassionate leader. Where did, where did that come from for you?

Millicent: I think I'm still evolving into that. [Laughing] I think that -

Sissy:  Hmm.

Millicent: I think that was a particular leadership challenge for me. Because leading at the pace of technology is very different from leading at the pace of community engagement.  And the sense of urgency that I felt because I'm serving communities where there is a lot of need and communities that I empathize with, I am very driven by that. But there is a very different pace than there is, say, in the consumer electronics market. And so [Laughing] -

Sissy:   Right!

Millicent: - I, I came in with a bit of a, bull in the china shop mentality and I really had to, to adjust and, you know, adjust in, into my new context. And so my style and my edges were, quite sharp for, [Laughing] for my colleagues.

[Music out]

Sissy:  Right. Well, well, and also you, you were building something brand new. This is why I related to you, you know, and I was in a totally different space, but I really related to you because I was building something brand new too. And, completely different building a production company. But I knew that if I didn't foster a sense of what my heart wanted me to do and say, and trust in that first, that I wasn't gonna be able to, you know, be successful.

Because successful to me is to raise people up. Um, not being a mother. I, you know, to me it's really true. I, I always joke and say “Mother to none, mother to all”, but it's more about I wanna raise people up. I don't have kids. And I, I, when I see a younger generation and feel what they're going through and understand where I came from, I think I have a lot to share. And I, that's, that's, that became as important to me, honestly as the work, the business, the revenue. You know, that's all important, but that is as important to me.

Millicent:  Mm-hmm. I think helping people grow and developing people's leadership skills and people's subject matter skills, right? If you do it right in the very beginning, right, then the long-term benefits like just pay, in dividends, because then you don't have to work as hard, [Laughing] you know, twelve months down the road, right?

Sissy: That is true. That is true. [Laughing] That is the, the selfish benefit from it. Yes.

Millicent: And the, the way I know that I'm doing it right and we're functioning well is actually when we can have healthy conflict. 

Sissy: Oh, tell me about that.

Millicent: When people can disagree with me and, you know, can do it the right way and by the right way, I mean, can disagree with the data, can bring counterpoints, can bring other examples and do it on the spot and not with, any hesitancy, then I know that, I am grooming secure leaders. 

Sissy: Mmm.  Wow

Millicent: But, if we're in meetings and I see people afraid to make eye contact and afraid to speak up, then I know that I'm coming on too strong. I need to back up and make space for people to put their opinions out and, to give them some safety to emote.

Sissy: The safety, right? That's such a huge thing because I know, unless I feel safe, I can't step forward into anything.

Millicent: Yep. And knowing, knowing the signs and knowing what to look for is, is the key.

Sissy: You know, so I, I just wanna hit on this 'cause I think it's important and, and it's something we say in the Vital Voices podcast, which is so amazing. And, and we we're gonna talk about that too. Corporations using their power for good. So this, what was really your inspiration though? For trying to leverage podcasting as a means to support your work or to get this message out.

Millicent:  Yeah, the impetus for even starting a podcast was during, the election process and in our small little town of Corning, New York, there was a protest on one of the main streets, or the main street. We only have one. And it was during a Trump rally and a Black Lives Matter rally that were happening at the same time. And it was a student who intervened before any violence can happen. And, for a 16 year old kid to put himself in between adults who couldn't find the words to communicate any further.

Sissy:  Hm. 

Millicent: You know, I thought, okay, well who else is, is feeling this way, and who else needs to say something? And so, we pulled students together and gave them an outlet to use their voice about things that were happening around them and happening to them. But everyone was in lockdown and we could do nothing about it.

And so the podcast did, several things. It was an avenue for students to come together and take action. And it was a vehicle to share their voice, you know, outside of their small community. So that's how we got started. And then, you know, what we do with education is, is one part of, of the work of our office.

Um, and so we started thinking about, how else can we share, what other things can we amplify with this vehicle? And that's how we evolve to, moving from “Amplify Voices”, which focused on students to “Vital Voices”, which really focuses on the communities that our corporation is serving.

[Clips from Vital Voices, Season 2 Trailer]

Trailer: ”Black men have had the highest chances of being diagnosed with CRC and dying from it compared to everybody for more than 30 years. 

It's making sure that if a person does find themselves in a situation where they're asking for help, that it's provided.  

Disproportionate health outcomes. Bias. Lack of representation in medical research.  I’m Sissy Siero. 

And I'm Millicent Ruffin. Here at the Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity at Corning Incorporated…”

Millicent: And so, you know, in our current political climate, when we say corporations can use their power for good, it's really become quite politicized. Right? Um, because good is, is a very relative term and my dad used to always quote, good, good is relative. It's like saying this or that. Good are the things that go with my constitution and bad are the things that go against it. And so when we say that, corporations, we're sharing ways that corporations can use their power for good, you know, we are talking about Corning's activity in the community that show that Corning cares about the whole life of its employee. And when a company takes the time to invest in a community to do things like ensuring that the community has childcare services or that the schools are in quality facilities.  

Sissy:  And safe.

Millicent:  Yeah, and safe, or that the local economy can support a diverse workforce with many, many talents. Then that company is also securing a workforce for itself because we're looking at everything in the life of that employee, and so that's an example of what we mean around how corporations can use their power for good.

Sissy:  And as we were talking about this season of Vital Voices, where it'll be out in the fall of 2023, talking about health equity. And some of those areas of distress and, just how it was affecting people medically. And I was, you know, ignorant to some of it, and I was shocked that I was, I, it's this, this such an important message to get out there because this is touching everything.

I mean, because I feel like Corning's being bold, they're like, go, go for it. You know, Millicent do this because this is important to people's lives.

Millicent:  I mean, the thing is, we're not taking a stand. We're having people share their experiences, right? 

Sissy:  Right.Right.

Millicent:  And these are stories of people's lives. And, you know, if nothing else, you know, our goal is if you find yourself in this situation, here are some things that you can do, right? Take a friend with you. [Laughing] 

Sissy: Right, right, right.

Millicent:  Ask for an advocate within the hospital. Ask for the, you know, the social worker, the hospital social worker to come in with you, right? And so it's really just giving people the resources, you know, that they can use to help themselves.

Sissy:  Mm. Mm-hmm. 

Millicent: There's one story that's shared through a doctor's perspective. So we talked with doctors in the Health Equity Center from Sloan Kettering, and she shared the story of a woman who was having some heart problems. And, the solution was a straightforward procedure to have a defibrillator surgically implanted. But there would be some physical signs that she was wearing a defibrillator. And the patient was hesitant to do so because she didn't want any outward signs at work that she may not be able to fulfill the duties of her job.

And so, you know, I think about other people who are able to wear, you've seen those, those implants for people with diabetes that allow them to just hold their phone to the patch and get their - 

Sissy: Right.

Millicent:  Um, sugar levels measured, right? And what, what a privilege that is, right? To be able to wear that without any concern. 

And, and this is something that was threatening her life, that there was, you know, a very straightforward procedure that could let her live, you know, without any complications going forward. And, you know, she had a whole host of non-medical, non-insurance related considerations that she had to contend with. Right?

And that's, that's the part around like health equity and social determinants of health that we're really amplifying in this season of “Vital Voices” because these are all the things that impact people's quality of life and their ability to go through their day-to-day lives with minimal disruptions.  And, you know, and a high quality of life that we all take for granted.

Sissy:  Yeah. Right, right. 

[Music in]

Sissy:  What do you feel at this point is one of your, your biggest challenges in your current position?

Millicent: I think my, my challenge has been and continues to be how do I turn work off at the end of the day.

Sissy: Hmm.

Millicent: I've always been a scientist, as my primary focus in life. And, technical challenges, while I would still think about them in the evenings or on the weekends, they did not consume me the way this role does. And so it's hard to think about this role as a job because I am the communities that I'm leading. If that, if that makes sense. 

Sissy: Mm. Of course.

Millicent: I am the communities that I am trying to represent at the same time. And so it is very difficult for me to compartmentalize, and to kind of turn my brain off.

Sissy:  Yeah. Yeah, you know, because it's about people. This is more, it's personal. It's. Affects your very, your very life and the life of your loved ones. Yeah. That would be really, yeah. I have a hard time shutting off the brain too. It can be very overwhelming.

Millicent: Yeah, I, I feel like we have been forced into positions of, of speaking for reaction and listening to respond. 

Sissy: Hmm. So well said.

Millicent:  And that severely limits compassion and empathy, our ability to relate to one another is as humans and to find middle ground. And you know, that's how we move forward with any kind of unity in this country, in my opinion.

[Music out]

I grew up in the seventies in South Carolina. And in the seventies in South Carolina, my, my world was black and it was wonderful and it was affirming. And a lot of times when I say that people conjure images of poverty and hard times. And, and that's, that's not, that's not what it was, right? It was me being surrounded by people who loved me and wanted the best for me and who affirmed me every chance I got. And put no limits on me.  Right? And so imagine growing up and people all around you telling you how great you are. Like, that's, that's what I, that's what I grew up in, right? And so, if you think about that environment, like I always felt seen and heard growing up.  And then I went to a predominantly white college and people were like, who are you? What are you doing here? And I'm like, who are you? And why don't you know about me? Right? [Laughing] 

Sissy: Aw. Ohhhhh. 

Millicent: So I'm like, wait, no, let me tell you who I am. And so that's - 

That's why a sense of belonging is so important. And that's why DEI efforts have shifted to really focus on belonging because that sense of self, when it's developed at young ages, right? It just, it just carries you through all the stuff that life is gonna throw at you later.

Sissy: That backbone.

Millicent: Exactly. And then, when we talk about that question, when did I feel seen and heard in the context of this role? 'Cause it really was an identity shift and a pivot, you know, not just career-wise, but how I saw myself when I moved into this role. And at first I was, I was hesitant, and I said, okay.

I will come, I will set up the office for you. I will get things started. I will hire the people, set the strategy, and then I'm going back to technology, right? 

Sissy: [Laughing]

Millicent: So like a six month commitment turned into a year, turned into two years, and then three years later, you know, I'm still here because I absolutely love this job. It's the best thing I've ever done. 

And one day I was talking with our CEO and he said, you know, you are so creative in this role and this is the happiest that I've seen you, you know, and I've been with Corning for 21 years. And so, you know, it, it just happened, right? I, I moved into this role. I'm doing work that I love and that I'm passionate about.

And, and it shows and everybody, everybody sees it. And they probably saw it before I even saw it, you know, but it took some time for my identity, or my awareness of my identity to shift.

I think the gift of this role is that I get to actually do the work as well as lead the people doing the work.

Sissy:  Tell me that though - What is that? More of that like the ‘do the work’ - what is that? 

Millicent: Yeah. So, I get to go into communities and meet people and hear their stories and talk to them and, and let them tell me what they need, and then we figure it out together.

Right? We work side by side and figure out how to get what they need or who to go to to get what they need. And, you know, there, there are two components to that. One is having the time, right? Having the time and not being so bound to the pace. Like I, I spoke earlier about the pace that technology lives at, right?

Sissy: Mm-hmm.

Millicent: Having the time to really understand what the problem is or what the need is. And then taking the time to think through how do we really get to the root of it? Because a lot of, you know, a lot of, usually, a lot of effort has already been put into kind of surface level solutions. But we love to just take things and look at it from a sustainable solution standpoint.

'Cause whatever we do, you know, five years from now, 10 years from now, we want that solution to still be in place, still be viable, still be relevant -  

Sissy: And growing. And having to grow with the need. Wow yeah.

Millicent: - and and growing, exactly. You can't rush in, do something, and then three months later be on to the next thing. And so having the privilege of time to form these partnerships and really understand what the problem is, that's when I'm at my best. And being able to listen and being willing to listen is, I never go in assuming I know what the solution is. I never, I never.

Sissy: Really? That sounds like one of your superpowers, honestly. 'Cause that's hard for me. That's hard to do. It's hard to be vulnerable to the unknown with the understanding that we can change things or bring whatever could be needed.

Millicent: You know, I think that the problems that we are going after are really intractable in some regard. And if we go in with top of mind solutions, they're guaranteed to fail.

Sissy:  Hmm. Huh.

Millicent:  And so, you know, 'cause if, if you, if you look at just the racial wealth gap in this country, it hasn't budged in 75 years. And so there is nothing I'm gonna come up with as an individual that's gonna change that. I know that. So whatever we do, it's gotta be different than, A, B, or C that I thought about the first time I heard what was happening.

Sissy:  Did you learn that? Did you have to learn that? Or was that just an innate, had a vibe for that.

Millicent:  Um, a little bit of both. A little bit of both. And so part of it came from just understanding how long these problems have been in existence, right? ORESU works on education. We work on economic development in underserved communities and we work on access to healthcare in underserved communities, right?

And so if you look at just unemployment rates, the racial wealth gap as I mentioned, and then in our particular area, we're focused on getting more teachers of color to the area. We're not the first to work on these problems. People have been working on them for decades. And they just, they just haven't budged.

We tried a few things. We thought they were novel approaches. They didn't work either. [Laughing] And so,so we said, okay, well, you know, we're gonna throw a bunch of things at the wall, we'll see what sticks or what doesn't fail as fast. And then we keep going.

Sissy:  It really is touching me just about that whole, you don't go in there with a, you know, solution in mind. You go in there with a open, how do we do this? 

Millicent: Mmm hm. Mm hm. It's, it's an adjustment and it's a transition for my team as well.

Sissy:  How so?

Millicent:  Because they, they, they wanna go in with solutions also. Yeah.  

Sissy:  And wanna fix it. 

Millicent: But also on the other side, I mean, I think the thing that is, is unique but is also difficult for this type of group to exist within a technology company. You know, we're, as a technology company, very metric driven, and if you try to assess our progress by metrics, you will feel like a failure, right? Because not everything can be, you know, can be crafted or can be measured. And so, we created an emergency fund for people in North Carolina who are either in transition housing, like going from homelessness to housing. Or it's an emergency fund to, geared towards housing, and it can cover certain things. I'll, I'll put it like that. There are parameters, but we have some, some discretion.

And we met a woman who was living in a home with no indoor plumbing and so we worked with a contractor to put indoor plumbing in her home.

Sissy: Huh.

Millicent:  There is nothing within our strategic initiatives that capture that, but in talking with that woman - you know, and I didn't talk to her directly. Like she talked to the general contractor and, and he shared her comment - like that was the most impactful thing I think we did all year. Right? 

Sissy: What were, what were her comments? Like what? Can you share any of that? 'Cause that's, I have chills just listening to that.

Millicent: Of the things that, that she said when everything was done, she said, I'm gonna move back in and I'm gonna cook, and then I'm gonna take a shower, and then I'm gonna cook another meal. And you are welcome to come to my house and share a meal. 

And you know, if nothing else, we gave someone their dignity back that year. And that’s, you know, that’s what this work is about.

I think that it's difficult, right? When we are surrounded by, you know, people that are used to tracking, okay, well, we gave you this much budget. How did, you know? How did you spend it? What did you accomplish?

Sissy: What’s, what’s the return? 

Millicent: Right? You know, we gave a woman her dignity.  That’s the return. Period.

Sissy: You changed one person's life. That changes so many other people's lives because she'll be giving in a different way, 'cause she won't be in survival mode. 

Millicent: Mm-hm.

Sissy: She can live a life that we all just have.

Millicent: Yeah. 

Sissy: Just that. Wow.Yeah. Oh God. I can't tell you how grateful I am to hear that story.

SISSY VO:  A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Millicent Ruffin for spending her time with us and sharing about her mission.  Please be sure to check out the second season of Corning’s podcast VITAL VOICES. It’s coming out this fall and produced by us here at Siero Media. It's stories about real people and how their lives are affected by companies focused on being a force of good. There are no metrics, there is no way to measure the breadth of someone’s heart, and the quality of their life and the joy we feel. How do you measure any of that?  We can only quantify things so much. But if it is going to affect someone’s whole life, that in and of itself is the golden win! 

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A special thanks to the Siero Media Superpowers team: Creative Director, Kristi Alexander, Associate Producer, Felicia Dominguez, Sound mixer, Samantha Gattsek, Producer and Sound Designer, Rae Kantrowitz, Communications Coordinator Ilana Nevins, and our Program Manager, Catherine Stark.

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For a full transcript of this episode, visit our website, sieromedia.com/podcast.   And If you haven't clicked like or subscribe yet, you're really missing out! We've got a great slew of Superpowers at Work episodes waiting there just for you, wherever you get your podcasts! I'm Sissy Siero. Be well.

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