Toni L. Coleman Carter is Chief Inclusion and Collaboration Officer and Inclusive Future & Strategy Director at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls. Recognized among “The Most Inspiring DEI Leaders to Follow in 2023,” Carter is an inspirational force at this national laboratory. With the mantra “Change your thinking, change your life!” as her guide, she leads the charge for an all-encompassing inclusive future at INL. Collaborating with both Laboratory and community leaders, this seasoned executive works ardently to establish environments which empower individuals and foster engagement. She uses talent platforms to enhance employee skills, nurtures upcoming leaders, and drives tangible outcomes.
Additionally, she collaborates as a consultant, contributing to the formulation, execution, and supervision of inclusion initiatives. Her role encompasses the amplification of cultural acumen awareness and managing administration for INL’s inclusion councils. Her daily engagements are shaped by the dynamic environment. Carter acknowledges “although sometimes unpredictable, there’s never a dull moment.”
Carter’s professional journey boasts 11 years of collective government experience, including her tenure as deputy mayor for the Village of Hanover Park, Illinois. Before her role at INL, she had a thriving career at Motorola Solutions in Chicago, IL, an esteemed $8 billion tech organization. Her experience also extends to the pharmaceutical and food service industries.
A National Society for Human Resource Management and the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business member, Carter is a certified inclusion executive, facilitator, and professional development coach. She holds a Master of Science degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Beyond her professional pursuits, Carter dedicates a portion of her life to extending support to abused survivors. Her memoir, “When Trouble Finds You,” serves as a beacon of hope, motivation, and inspiration for those who may have endured similar childhood hardships. Alongside her three children – Candes, John, and Taylor – Carter thrives on forging community connections and leveraging strategic partnerships.
When asked to encapsulate herself in a single word, this adept leader chose “GENEROUS.” This term fittingly characterizes her disposition, underscoring her altruistic nature and dedication to supporting others.
Take on Success!
The term “success” possesses a unique interpretation for every individual. In Carter’s perspective, a defining trait of a successful individual lies in their ability to facilitate the success of others. She shares, “I owe the world a lot because a few influential leaders sponsored and helped me become who I am today.” She candidly acknowledges, without their backing, her current position would not have been attainable.
The Inspirations Behind D&I Leadership
The route to triumph has never been smooth for anyone. In the case of Toni L. Carter, her life is a tapestry woven with instances of advocating for others, even when it wasn’t under an official title. After emerging from the shadows of childhood trauma and finding solace, she looked beyond her circumstances and assisted others.
Candi Castleberry, Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology at Amazon, offered Carter her inaugural inclusion opportunity. Not only did she sponsor Carter’s development during her tenure as Chief Diversity Officer at Motorola Solutions, but her investment in Carter’s growth also endures to this day. Candi played a pivotal role in shaping Carter’s trajectory into the field of inclusion. Yet, an equally influential figure was the late Fred T. Abbott, former director of manufacturing logistics at Motorola, who sponsored Carter in her maiden professional role. In the mid-’90s, Abbott contacted another logistics director, Donald Ridgway, with a proposition: “Toni has a lot of potential, and I’d like to help her grow her career. I’ll pay her salary for six months if you allow her to compete for your open role.”
Interestingly, while Carter knew Fred had intervened to open this avenue for her, she remained unaware that sealing the deal necessitated direct payment of her salary for half a year. This revelation only surfaced years later, deepening her appreciation for Fred’s unwavering advocacy. Another significant figure was Stephanie Marcus, another Motorola gem, who, in Carter’s view, empowered her to find her voice and encouraged her to express dissent when necessary. She holds immense gratitude to these individuals, as well as to Bishop Vivian Barnes, Pastor Easter Goodwin, Dr. Chris Easley, Dr. Marty Martin, Manuel Cuevas-Trisan, Irene Amu, Tracy Cordova, John Pierce, Rashaanda Cook, Valerie Webb, Chanell Douglas, Tony Alexander, Candes Carter, Tujana Williams, Special Agent Donte Bland, Assistant Principal Erika Willis, Family Nurse Practitioner Shira Love, Evangelist Joyace Ussin, Dr. Donna O’Kelly, Dr. Rekha Pillai, Dr. Monica Regalbuto, Sherry Gallup, Julie Ulrich, Kelsey Behm, Maria Jenson, Ryan Carroll, and many more. This accomplished professional emphasizes, “As you can see, I haven’t made it by myself. Absolutely no one does.”
Insights Gained from Professional Hurdles
Rooted in the belief that “Our destinies have no limits, except the ones we place on ourselves,” this doyen reflects on a journey marked by hurdles. However, her attention isn’t fixated on these impediments; instead, Carter perceives them as gateways to personal triumph. Through adversity, she discerns avenues to overcome. Intriguingly, her journey has been a source of valuable lessons, with a pivotal one standing out: “People will not help you if they don’t like you.”
Brief Overview of Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) stands as one of the 17 national laboratories under the U.S. Department of Energy. While each of these laboratories possesses distinct missions, their collective objective is ensuring the nation’s security and prosperity. It is accomplished by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through groundbreaking scientific and technological solutions. Since its establishment in 1949, INL has channeled scientific innovation toward the national pursuit of fostering economic growth and fortifying homeland security.
According to Toni L. Carter, INL is committed to changing the world’s energy future and securing our nation’s critical infrastructure. This brand of science holds the potential to reshape our lifestyles; on this scale, scientific progress is a collaborative endeavor. Success hinges on the synergy of high-performing teams, each contributing diverse skill sets and viewpoints to tackle complex problems. In an era where scientific advancements are quantified in terms like square meters, kilowatts per hour, and terabytes per second, INL stands out for its enduring emphasis on the pivotal factor in achieving success: the individuals who drive the research.
Advancing Industry Paradigms: Embracing Innovation in D&I for INL’s Growth
Throughout the years, INL’s journey toward inclusivity has yielded tangible transformations across all operational facets. Since 2017, a concerted effort has been fortifying our employment branding. This endeavor has yielded a remarkable surge in annual applicant influx, surging from under 7,000 to exceeding 23,000. Notably, 52% of this growth is attributed to qualified candidates representing diverse segments, including women, people of color, military veterans, and those with disabilities. Carter emphasizes the expansion of their inclusive candidate pool from 61% to an impressive 83%.
The commitment to inclusion is vividly seen in the statistics: over 40% of colleagues voluntarily partake in inclusion-focused learning experiences annually, with 24% of employees becoming active partners of one of five leadership councils. Further, 47% of leadership council affiliates have celebrated at least one promotion. Demonstrating substantial progress, INL has successfully eradicated unwarranted attrition rates for women and curtailed the gap for people of color by a significant 50%, resulting in savings exceeding 2.2 million dollars over two years.
INL’s commitment to compensation equity has bolstered employee engagement, development, retention and elevated talent attraction. Consequently, the laboratory has garnered national recognition as an employer of choice, demonstrated through various accolades:
- Leading Disability Employer – National Organization on Disability (five times)
- Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality – Corporate Equality Index (four times)
- Top 50 Companies for Women & People of Color – Diversity MBA (three times)
- Vets Hire Gold Medallion – U.S. Department of Labor
- Top 100 Internships & Top 25 Internships for LGBTQ+ Diversity – Firsthand
Cultivating Integrity Within the Team: Wisdom from Toni L. Carter
When inquiring about the methods Toni L. Carter employs to foster a culture of integrity within her team, her response underscores its strength despite its size. Their approach revolves around maintaining transparent communication and collaboratively addressing emerging challenges. Of greater significance, they consistently approach interactions with a presumption of positive intent. This practice bolsters trust and fosters an environment of psychological safety, contributing to the team’s resilience and unity.
Life Before Idaho National Laboratory at Village of Hanover Park
This seasoned professional embodies the adage, “The power to change us is within us!” Before her tenure at Idaho National Laboratory, her experience in Hanover Park, Illinois, vividly illustrates this doctrine. Progressing from her position as the first Black council member in 2007 to assuming the first Black deputy mayor position, she etched her influence in each role she undertook.
As a council member, Carter contributes to department heads’ recruitment, selection, and appointment while actively shaping policy and operational strategies. During this tenure, she established the village’s Cultural Inclusion and Diversity Committee, the village’s most extensive volunteer committee. Following two years of navigating demanding challenges, she ascended to the role of the village’s deputy mayor.
In addition, she spearheaded the formation of a homeless prevention task force dedicated to devising solutions that mitigated the effects of the 2008-2010 economic crisis. It included initiatives to forestall home foreclosures and offer transitional housing for residents. The year 2008 witnessed Carter’s appointment to Hanover Park’s Crime Prevention Task Force, a team instrumental in designing the village’s crime prevention strategies and methodologies. Simultaneously, she earned recognition as Hanover Park’s Inclusion and Diversity Champion, accompanied by an Outstanding Leadership Award from Motorola’s Women’s Business Council.
Honors and Distinctions for Humanitarian Contributions
In recognition of her exceptional humanitarian endeavors, Carter has garnered an array of prestigious awards. Among these, the Idaho Business Review recognized her as one of Idaho’s most influential leaders in 2023. The Energy Inclusion Council honored her in 2022 as a Top Energy Diversity Officer. In 2020, she earned the Community Award from Idaho National Laboratory and an Outstanding Adult Philanthropist award from the Idaho Nonprofit Center. Her accolades extend to 2019 when she received the Hometown Hero Award Medal from Idaho’s Hometown Hero Nonprofit Committee and was distinguished as one of the Women of the Year by Idaho Business Review. In 2018, she became one of Diversity MBA’s distinguished Top 100 Executive Leaders Under 50.
Further acclaim came in 2015 when the National Diversity Council bestowed upon her the Leadership Excellence Award for corporate inclusion, coupled with the Inclusion and Diversity Champion of the Year title from Diversity MBA. In 2013, the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations awarded her the Dr. King Workforce Inclusiveness and Community Activism Award. In the edition of “Who’s Who in Black Chicago” from 2010, Carter was acknowledged as one of the most influential Blacks in government.
While Carter has received numerous accolades for her work, she emphasizes her efforts are driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on creating a better world for others.
Paying It Forward: Carter’s Commitment to Empower the Next Generation
Toni L. Carter is resolutely dedicated to enhancing the prospects of the next generation. She places a premium on sharing knowledge and resources with others, prioritizing assistance over personal acquisitions. This approach ensures her readiness to aid those in need. Her support spans various forms, including contributions toward school supplies, clothing, sustenance, and essential items for disadvantaged scholars. She has played a climacteric role in enabling young individuals to pursue education, escape life on the streets, and accomplish diverse aspirations. Carter’s empathy is rooted in her past of scarcity, where the equation of God and education equated to her success. This experienced professional acknowledges her post-secondary education, fully sponsored by Motorola Solutions, has been key to unlocking many opportunities. Grateful for this generosity, she passionately continues this cycle of giving. Carter’s fervent wish is to allow others to flourish, emphasizing success is a collective journey devoid of solitary achievers.
Embracing Integrated Living: Carter’s Approach to Priorities
This competent professional doesn’t adhere to the conventional notion of work-life balance; instead, she advocates for an integrated life. This approach entails allocating time based on prevailing priorities, whether work or family. By identifying her foremost concerns, she strategically structures her day, week, or month to ensure alignment with these priorities.
A Unified Vision for Inclusion
Every member of INL’s inclusion team possesses a comprehensive understanding of the mission. They clearly understand how their efforts synchronize with this mission, with a primary objective of delivering innovative outcomes for all collaborators and partners. Driven by intrinsic motivation, the team exhibits a profound dedication to roles that resonate with their passion.
Envisioning Idaho National Laboratory’s Future
According to Toni L. Carter of INL, their researchers actively engage with worldwide challenges by delving into sustainable energy development and safeguarding critical national infrastructure against both natural and human-triggered threats like cyberattacks. Fueled by a burgeoning global population and the resultant energy demand, the laboratory is resolutely dedicated to shaping the future by enhancing the quality of life globally.
The FutureG & 5G Office is holding its annual FutureG Symposium in Idaho Falls, Idaho, from 17-19 October. This meeting will showcase defense innovation in telecommunications, commercial solution adaptation, and future research advances.
Personal Aspirations and Professional Vision
Carter’s personal goals embody simplicity: leaving a positive impact on the world and assisting a multitude of individuals. Moreover, she takes pride in the ongoing endeavor to solidify INL’s status as an employer of choice for everyone, fostering an inclusive environment and ensuring the timely acquisition of the precise talent required to fulfill the laboratory’s mission. This approach is essential for sustaining their competitive edge, underpinned by her steadfast belief in the strength derived from their people.
Guided by Values: Leaving a Positive Mark
Motivated by the belief, “At the end of the day, we live in faith and lead with hope – hope for fairness and justice, dignity and respect, love, and equality,” Carter imparts counsel to emerging leaders: extend assistance to as many people as possible and depart from their sphere of influence having improved it beyond measure.
