About
The Fortitude Factory
Mission
Our goal is to build individual and organization fortitude, strength of mind; focusing on belonging, equity and inclusion.
Vision
To create human centered solutions which deliver unbiased, diversified equitable leaders and
workplaces.
Our Values
Integrity | We will confidentially engage as a trusted ally, supporter, advisor and partner.
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Human Centric | Our work will center on the needs and experiences of our clients and reinforce our
focus on equity and equality.
Equity | We will embed equity into all areas of the business through a unified approach with clear
objectives.
Empathy | We will engage with care for others, coupled with the desire to understand their experiences without judgement of their journey.
Authenticity | We will remain true to our best self, personality, values, and spirit.
“Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.”
- Mary McLeod Bethune
Our Leadership
Stephanie D. Shipp, DBA - President & Managing Partner
• 30+ years of business excellence with an eye for representation to help professionals become their best
selves.
• A global champion to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), positioning DEIB not only as a core tenant
of a successful organizational culture but as an essential tool to drive lasting growth.
• A recognized thought leader, business partner, employee advocate and coach.
• A skilled strategist adept at organization assessment and process framework development necessary to drive
retention, create opportunities for connection, and build belonging.
• She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from DePaul University. A Master of Arts in Business and Human Resources Development from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Johnson C. Smith University.
Stephanie combines her wealth of academic knowledge with her extensive practical experience to create meaningful change in organizations worldwide. Her journey as a DE&I leader has left an indelible impact, and her commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion continues to shape the corporate landscape for the better. Stephanie is a true visionary who propels businesses towards a brighter and more inclusive future. Find out more about Stephanie from an array of publications and interviews below!