A conversation with Kelly Fountaine on inclusion, belonging, and reinventing yourself

Earlier this year, I recorded a conversation with my friend, mentor, and former colleague, Kelly Fountaine . Kelly is one of the wisest, most compassionate people I know. She has an innate capacity to connect with people’s humanity - and she’s managed to do so with people at all levels during her career at Disney, from assistants to the most senior leaders at the company.

Currently, Kelly is the Senior Manager of Culture Initiatives, HR Production for Disney General Entertainment. She previously served on the Disney Branded Television team, where she created and facilitated an Advocate Program designed to support and empower underrepresented employees. Kelly is also a Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIY) Certified Teacher. Originally developed at Google, SIY is an emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership curriculum based on neuroscience.

Based in Los Angeles, CA, Kelly joined Disney in 2012. She began working in television in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2005 as a Music Industry Development specialist for Gospel Music Channel, now Aspire/UpTV. Kelly earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Howard University, Washington, D.C., where she also developed as a jazz vocalist.

My conversation with Kelly has been edited and condensed for clarity.

You and I both appreciate deep, philosophical questions… so let’s start there. Why do you do what you do?

At a really young age, I fell in love with helping others. It evolved into trying to make a difference for people. And I just thought, "Hey, I want to use what I have to be my community's cheerleader." I love to see people empowered. Not just in a "rah-rah" sort of way. But to connect to what people are dealing with and how they're constrained. That’s where I thrive.

Over the last few years, people have started rethinking everything - their lives, jobs, and societal roles. In what ways have you reinvented yourself throughout your life?

A potent example that comes to mind is from my time in college in the 90s. I was a student at Howard University when the Rodney King beating happened. I remember waiting months for the trial - months waiting for justice. And, as everyone knows, when the four officers who beat King were tried, they were acquitted. That’s when the riots started.

At the time, I worked at the United States Department of Justice, and I had to go to work that day. I remember getting off the train, walking up Pennsylvania Avenue, and walking into the building that represented the epitome of justice in this country. And I remember thinking, with that acquittal, “There is no justice for people that look like me.” I was heartbroken.

When I arrived at the office that day, I waited for people to talk about what happened. But no one said anything - not the black people, not the white. I felt dismissed. And I remember thinking, because I know what it’s like to feel dismissed, “I don't want to be that kind of person.” It was a pivotal moment. I had a choice. I could go down a road of bitterness and resentment. Or, I could go down a road of representing and embodying something greater.

That day, I chose to use my life to be in service of something greater. I decided to lead with love, grace, positivity and inspiration. With whatever talent and skill I had, I wanted to demonstrate the humanity of black and brown people. I wanted to remind people that we're human

Tell us about what you’re currently doing at Disney.

I'm a few months into a new role - a new position for the company and me. I'm accountable for culture initiatives for the company's TV productions. I work on a wonderful team that partners with our TV production spaces at the beginning of the creative process. We work with show leaders, writers, studio executives, the cast, and the crew to define and build a thriving culture for each series. We help these groups define their cultural practices and values - how they want to show up. It's an empowering experience. I love the partnership. I get to build curriculums and foster conversations that positively support our production spaces.

How do you define inclusion in action?

Everybody knows what inclusion is these days because we've been talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion for a long time now. I'd like to offer something else to consider. Inclusion has a lot to do with curiosity. It's a partnership with curiosity… being curious about one another and setting aside judgment. Being curious about one another gives direct access to inclusion. I prefer this definition because being curious through this lens doesn't require training. We're naturally curious creatures, just like animals are. I was walking my dog this morning and thought, "This thing is like a ball of curiosity! You have to stop and smell every frickin' thing? Can't we just walk down the street?" There's so much that's possible in that way of showing up. This form of curiosity is natural. Whatever the lack of inclusion - a lack of curiosity - is unnatural. It's taught.

What can organizations do to help people feel like they belong?

One thing organizations can do to make people feel like they belong is to listen to them. Let them share their concerns and what's really important to them. This can be done through forums like surveys, town halls, or listening sessions. I love seeing leaders engage with their people in these ways. This can also happen through generosity. Giving people what they need. Promoting them. Paying them well. Investing in them. Disney invested in me in my career by putting me through a certification program that changed the trajectory of my career. It meant a lot to me. And it really sparked my sense of belonging here.

Would you sum that up by saying employees feel like they belong when they feel their company has their back?

Yes. That's exactly what it is.

My organization operates in a culture of excellence - it's one of the best entertainment organizations in the world. Our brands are visible throughout the planet. We're only number one because of our people. It's our?people?who are a tremendous asset to the company. It's the?people?who produce our results and our successes. And so, why not invest in them? Why not help them thrive? It pays off in the long run.

What skills are necessary for someone in your role and why?

The number one skill necessary in any role is personal integrity. I'm not talking about from a moral perspective; I'm talking from a sense of being fulfilled and connected to what you do. Having clarity on what you're doing and what it is that you're here to fulfill. And being true to that. That's essential for any person to thrive. It's a skill that I'm constantly cultivating.

What would you say to someone trying to reinvent their career or life right now?

First, I would say, congratulations. And if you're terrified, double congratulations. Because you're in the perfect place. If you're feeling uncertain, that's a beautiful opportunity to dive into the inquiry of what matters. For example, I'd suggest making a list of what's important to you. Is it making a difference? Is it amassing a certain amount of wealth or resources? It's critical to get connected to that first. Because if you can't, you're following someone else's agenda. And then I would take action until you see the fulfillment of what you're committed to. Many times, the only access to fulfillment are the actions you take every day. And if something doesn't work, it's an opportunity to learn and simply go back and take another action until you fulfill what you want. And you have to keep doing that over and over.

How do you stay informed and continue learning? Who and what do you surround yourself with?

Who I surround myself with has changed over the years. Currently, I surround myself with people who inspire me. Sometimes I'm surprised where I find them. These are people who hold a certain conversation about who you are as a human being. And those conversations are elevated - it's consistent with who you dream of being or who you see yourself as. Also, I work in television, so I watch content that feeds my soul. Sometimes I have my guilty pleasures but for the most part I like to be fed.

Any parting words you’d like to leave us with?

I invite every person reading this to find something that doesn't work in the world and do something about it. It could be in their place of faith/worship, in their community, or in their country. Find something - there are plenty of things to solve, plenty of things that don't work, plenty of things that hinder us, that impede our greatness. Find something that you can utilize your energy towards, your "chi," if you will. I think that's how you really are enlivened. We've mastered the art of like making a living. We know how to get up, go to work, and get a paycheck. But we often forget how to live. And when you show up with purpose, you have an opportunity to really live.

Thanks so much, Kelly.