Meet a transgender CEO who is rising above it all. Or trying to.

Uncertainty defines the state of the union these days. Businesses, nonprofits, and the federal government are all trying to navigate rough economic and political waters. 

As CEO of Mind Share Partners, Morey Riordan is trying to rise above it all as an advisor to business and nonprofit leaders in steadying workplaces during turbulent times. Leaders need extra armor and skills to just keep moving through everything being thrown at them. 

Morey believes in this moment—when it comes to the relatively small backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion—it’s essential to speak up. He urges other C-level leaders to show conviction and to stay rooted in their values and be intentional about bringing people together.

“Company values need to be your compass,” Riordan says. “They are the only thing, along with a strong community, that keeps us grounded amid rapid change and uncertainty.”

In a moment where worker well-being and engagement are on the decline, and cultural division is palpable, Morey calls on business leaders to remember that the future of work is human capital. Employee wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with recruitment and retention of talent.

“Division, financial uncertainty, and the economy are weighing on many of us, and it’s easy to get swept up in the media narratives and loud voices,” Riordan says. “My advice is to stay rooted in your values. Most companies—it appears—are in fact standing by their values of fairness and diversity,” says Riordan.

Riordan is transgender and has been an LGBTQ leader for 35 years. His time in the philanthropic, nonprofit, and business world have given him a sightline into how to create welcoming workplaces for all workers and to prioritize their wellbeing. 

Americans spend a third of our lives at work—which is why Mind Share Partners continues its mission to help companies create a culture of thriving, not just surviving. The future of work is human capital. 

And Morey has long been a champion for all people who experience poor mental health. He personally understands what it’s like to come up against a mental health challenge, experiencing periodic depression throughout his career. 

More recently, he’s spoken internally to the Mind Share Partners staff about the grief he's navigating with the sudden passing of his sister.

“I want to lead by example, and sharing my own personal mental health struggles with the team gives them permission to do the same. It’s an instant stigma buster. But I also just have to be my full self in this world, both personally and professionally. This is what I want for all people, including my kids and younger generations. Being one’s full self is also a key ingredient of mentally healthy workplaces.”

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About the Author

Mind Share Partners is a nonprofit that is changing the culture of workplace mental health and well-being so that both employees and organizations can thrive. Since 2017, we have been the industry leader in workplace mental health through consulting, and movement building. We partner with nonprofits and global business leaders in retail, tech, hospitality, and finance to prioritize both employee well-being and business success. Our work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Washington Post, Forbes, Fast Company, Good Morning America, and The New York Times.