"Pointed, practical and powerful, The Waymakers reminds us—unflinchingly—that equity is not niceness, and that successful leaders learn the difference.”
Latriece Watkins
Executive Vice President, Consumables, Walmart US
"Any leader who questions how to maximize their business outcomes through people in an equitable way will find the answers in The Waymakers.”
Mike Hyter
President and CEO, Executive Leadership Council
"The Waymakers teaches us how to become curious and connect—to live in community. Tara Jaye Frank makes it feel urgently possible."
Beth Andrix Monaghan
Founder and CEO of Inkhouse
"This fantastic read offers more clarity and insight into inclusion issues than any book I’ve read since college.”
Nzinga Shaw
Global Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, Marsh McLennan
"The Waymakers teaches us how to become curious and connect—to live in community. Tara Jaye Frank makes it feel urgently possible."
Beth Andrix Monaghan
Founder and CEO of Inkhouse
"CEOs who are serious about diversity, equity and inclusion need this resource in their hip pockets at all times.”
Dantaya Williams
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Raytheon Technologies
"Waymaking should be at the center of every leader's agenda.”
Minda Harts
Bestselling Author of The Memo
“Frank deftly outlines the keys to achieving true equity and inclusion—a gift for leaders who are ready to go beyond just diversity.”
Anré Williams
CEO, American Express National Bank, Group President, Enterprise Services
“This is the life-changing invitation you simply cannot ignore.”
Sarah Alter
President and CEO, The Network of Executive Women
“Tara Jaye Frank’s The Waymakers provides powerful examples, insights, and a clear path for impact—and makes it plain that change requires courage.”
Wendy Davidson
President of Americas, Glanbia Performance Nutrition
“Getting to equity requires two things: truth and action. In this book, Tara Jaye Frank shows us the way.”
James Rhee
Impact Investor/CEO and John H. Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship, Howard University
The Waymakers further cements that Tara Jaye Frank is the much-needed mind and voice of our time. “
D. Keith Pigues
Founder, C-Suite Advisor, and Board Executive
The Waymakers can and should change the way you lead.”
Tom Hayes
President and CEO, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
This is simply the best book on diversity and inclusion I have read.
Amy C. Edmondson
Professor, Harvard Business School; Author of The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth
“Actionable and inspiring, The Waymakers is rich with tools and possibilities. Keep this book within arm’s reach. I know I will!”
Dolly Chugh
Author, The Person You Mean to Be
"Pointed, practical and powerful, The Waymakers reminds us—unflinchingly—that equity is not niceness, and that successful leaders learn the difference.”
Latriece Watkins
Executive Vice President, Consumables, Walmart US
"Any leader who questions how to maximize their business outcomes through people in an equitable way will find the answers in The Waymakers.”
Mike Hyter
President and CEO, Executive Leadership Council
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About The Waymakers

Beyond strategies and systems, what really drives workplace equity and inclusion?

The truth is that all historically excluded professionals who have broken through to greater levels of belonging and achievement have succeeded not by systems change alone, but because influential leaders chose to remove barriers, open doors, and guide them toward their goals. The bottom line? Someone made a way for them.

Using case studies, data, and evocative storytelling, Frank outlines how leaders with power and position can clear the path to workplace equity by

The Waymakers not only makes a compelling case for change. It also teaches you how to facilitate that change. Once you’ve read it, you’ll understand why the question is not “what” drives equity and inclusion, but “who.”

And the answer is you.

The Waymakers is currently available to purchase at:

Grounded in Research

The insights and strategies found in this book are not only substantiated by Frank’s professional experience, both as a corporate executive and C-Suite consultant, but also by secondary research, interviews with thirty equity and inclusion experts from Fortune 500 companies and leading consultancies, and by a proprietary study conducted in partnership with Brandtrust, a research and strategy firm that utilizes applied social and behavioral sciences to solve complex business challenges.

The proprietary research revealed a deeper, more dimensional view of the underrepresented employee experience, zeroing in on the moments that matter – those critical experiences that either draw an employee closer to an organization or leader, or drive them away.This book will help every reader understand what’s really happening in organizations – an unfiltered view of what enables equity, what derails it, and how leaders can adapt their behaviors to create the cultures they say they want.

Building on this real-world window into career highs and lows, The Waymakers will offer a pragmatic, time-tested and human-centric path to equity.

Additionally, the dozens of experts interviewed for Chapter 7: What Your Company Wants: Performance Drivers have led equity work at Fortune 500 corporations including Procter & Gamble, Target, Facebook, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Cisco, Starbucks, Walmart, Nike, Raytheon Technologies, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, American Express and more. Their insight represents real-world efforts inside 130 companies and more than 600 years of equity expertise.

The research answers questions like:

The Waymakers uses secondary research, first-hand experience, real-world results, and employee insights to offer a holistic view of today’s workplace and our timely opportunity to make a way for everyone.

Testimonials

"The Waymakers shares with clarity the essence of what truly unlocks the promise of an organization. Rejecting the notion that well-intentioned people are enough, Frank sheds light on how choices and a commitment to lead can help us leverage the full potential of every person. Any leader who questions how to maximize their business outcomes through people in an equitable way will find the answers in The Waymakers."

Mike Hyter

President and CEO,
The Executive Leadership Council

"The Waymakers moves the cerebral equity versus equality debate to a place that is centered around ‘heart work.’ This fantastic read offers more clarity and insight into inclusion issues than any book I’ve read since college."

Nzinga Shaw

Global Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, Marsh McLennan

“Too often in the workplace, people stop talking to each other because we're afraid. We don't know what to say, or don't want to make a mistake, or feel too exposed to admit our own learning curves.The Waymakers teaches us how to become curious and connect—to live in community. Tara Jaye Frank makes it feel urgently possible."

Beth Andrix Monaghan

Founder and CEO of Inkhouse

“Tara Jaye Frank's The Waymakers is an exceptional guide to building and sustaining a thriving and equitable workplace. Every business leader who is serious about making lasting and substantive change should read this book.”

Soraya Chemaly

Author of Rage Becomes Her

“Tara Jaye Frank’s thoughtful insights and techniques pierce the heart of the inequity problem, which simply can’t be denied after reading this book. CEOs who are serious about diversity, equity and inclusion need this resource in their hip pockets at all times.”

Dantaya Williams

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Raytheon Technologies

"Waymaking should be at the center of every leader's agenda. Tara Jaye Frank's new book The Waymakers will help leaders effectively become better sponsors.”

Minda Harts

Bestselling Author of The Memo

“Frank deftly outlines the keys to achieving true equity and inclusion—a gift for leaders who are ready to go beyond just diversity.”

Anré Williams

CEO, American Express National Bank, Group President, Enterprise Services

“Tara Jaye Frank’s The Waymakers cuts through the noise, maneuvers around the excuses, and reaches beyond our self-imposed limitations to remind us that we, the people, are who make our companies great—one equitable choice at a time.”

Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, Esq.

Chief People and Culture Officer, Major League Baseball

"Tara Jaye Frank’s work has inspired me and our NEW community to lead with great conviction and impact on behalf of ALL women. Now, The Waymakers provides that same inspiration with actionable solutions to every leader who strives to unlock true equity. This is the life-changing invitation you simply cannot ignore.”

Sarah Alter

President and CEO, The Network of Executive Women

“True leadership isn’t having all the answers; it’s asking the right questions. It’s having the self-awareness and vulnerability to put the team above yourself . . . to dive into the deep end to listen and learn. When it comes to creating equitable workplaces, many of us have held back due to a lack of knowledge, experience or comfort. Tara Jaye Frank’s The Waymakers provides powerful examples, insights, and a clear path for impact—and makes it clear that change requires courage.”

Wendy Davidson

President of Americas, Glanbia Performance Nutrition

“Getting to equity requires two things: truth and action. In this book, Tara Jaye Frank shows us the way.”

James Rhee

Impact Investor/CEO and John H. Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship, Howard University

"I’ve had a front row seat to Tara’s unique ability to convey truths about workplace equity that well-meaning executives need to know but sometimes find difficult to hear. The Waymakers further cements that Tara Jaye Frank is the much-needed mind and voice of our time."

D. Keith Pigues

Founder, C-Suite Advisor, and Board Executive

"Tara’s candid and incisive wisdom offer a fresh perspective on the future of work, empowering us all to take action around creating a more inclusive, equitable workplace. The Waymakers can and should change the way you lead.”

Tom Hayes

President and CEO, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.

“Winning in any business during times of intense change comes down to people and perspectives. The Waymakers charts a path to unleashing both in clear, compelling, and infinitely actionable terms.”

Kevin Samuelson

CEO, Infor

“This is simply the best book on diversity and inclusion I have read. Drawing extensively from research and unerringly told personal experience, author Tara Jaye Frank indeed helps us find a way forward. Hers is a must-read book for anyone who wants to be part of the solution.”

Amy C Edmondson

Professor, Harvard Business School; Author of The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth

“Actionable and inspiring, The Waymakers is rich with tools and possibilities. Keep this book within arm’s reach. I know I will!”

Dolly Chugh

Author, The Person You Mean to Be

"Pointed, practical and powerful, The Waymakers serves as a guide to achieving and sustaining workplace equity, while reminding us—unflinchingly—that equity is not niceness, and that successful leaders learn the difference.”

Latriece Watkins

Executive Vice President, Consumables, Walmart US