Mountain City Public Montessori's mission is to provide equitable access to a high-quality, relevant Montessori education to meet the unique needs of all students and strengthen our community.As a Board Member, I partner on the school's vision and governance.

The IBMA Foundation established the Arnold Shultz Fund in 2020 to support activities increasing the participation of people of color in bluegrass music.I promote DE&I and BIPOC participation in American Roots Music, and served as a panelist on DEI at the 2016 IBMA World of Bluegrass Business Conference.

Unspoken Tradition is about new, original Bluegrass. Inspired by their own influences and the roots of traditional music, they bring a sound that is both impassioned and nostalgic, hard-driving but sincere. Their 2019 release from Mountain Home Music Company, Myths We Tell Our Young, debuted at #5 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and has seen 5 top-charting radio singles, including a #1 spot on the Bluegrass Today chart for “Dark Side of the Mountain.” Their material is mostly original and reflects the ever-changing culture of Western and Central North Carolina where they call home. The band has earned a fervent following in the Southeast, selling out shows in Asheville, NC as well as the legendary Station Inn in Nashville, TN. They have also performed twice on the coveted Watson (main stage) at MerleFest. With heavy airplay on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction and ever-growing streaming numbers, Unspoken Tradition is a fast-rising voice of a new generation of roots music artists. Their debut recording, Simple Little Town (2013) saw quick success in radio and with tastemakers. Their follow-up release, Miles Between was featured on the nationally syndicated NPR show The World Cafe. Represented by Midwood Entertainment, Unspoken Tradition plays nationwide.

The Orvis Company is an omnichannel sporting goods retailer, wholesaler, and lifestyle brand.I was promoted to this newly created role tasked with building and leading our corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and operations. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, I managed our policy and standards to ensure inclusive experiences for a 1,500-staff workforce, serving as an internal consultant in analyzing and optimizing touchpoints in human resources, marketing, operations, and other functional areas. Additionally, I directed the activities of the corporate Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee and led industry relations and advocacy. Key achievements:►Elevating JEDI as a key component of the corporate mission. I worked with the President, Chief People Officer, and executive sponsors in building the priorities, aligning the vision to an inclusive lens, defining the strategic DEI framework, and delivering communications and support.►Deepening the corporate commitment to DEI mission via programming and change management. To this end, I developed companywide messaging on cultural matters, leveraged JEDI to promote a sense of community, and engendered trust through our sponsors.►Launching the Orvis Mentorship Program promoting competency and cultural growth. I designed the program and assets, built awareness, and cultivated and guided the initial cohort from across corporate and field operations through the full program.►Embedding Orvis as an inclusion advocate on the Minority Outdoor Alliance board and in alliances with Brown Folks Fishing, Trout Unlimited, Ruffled Grouse Society, Colorado Treks, Pheasants Forever, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. ►Orchestrating the nominee and awardee selection process for the corporate Breaking Barriers award honoring individuals or organizations for bringing new communities into fly fishing or wingshooting, and which was given to Colorado Treks in 2024.

I was a member of the senior leadership team at a full-line retail outlet. As a proxy for and partner to the general manager, I headed a multi-tiered organization of 13 associates, driving P&L performance via sales, customer service, visual and inventory merchandising, replenishment, product education, loss prevention, and employee training, management, and development. Key achievements:►Helping achieve ourP&L targets by effectively bridging traditional retail operations with the outward expression of the Orvis lifestyle and culture.►Directing our in-store and email customer messaging, community outreach, education, and social media.►Serving on the corporate JEDI committee, providing an influential voice from the retail channel on matters of DEI importance.