Inspiring Belonging to Unite Us All

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Kim Dabbs is a global leader in Belonging and Purpose, whose unique life story informs her passionate advocacy for inclusion and understanding. Born in Korea and adopted by American parents, Kim's journey has taken her from feeling perpetually out of place in different cultures to becoming an influential voice in creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. 

As the Global Vice President of Impact at Steelcase, she applies her extensive experience in social innovation, honed through roles like the Executive Director of the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology and a residency at Stanford's d.school, to foster more inclusive and equitable environments. 

Kim is the best-selling author of You Belong Here, The Power of Being Seen, Heard, and Valued on Your Own Terms, published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers in 2024 and named a top book to read by the Financial Times.  Her debut book reflects her transformation from a cultural chameleon trying to fit in to a thought leader who champions the idea of belonging to oneself. You Belong Here offers a new framework for individuals to create a sense of Belonging in any situation and serves as a launchpad for organizational leaders and culture builders to create safe spaces for individuals to show up as their authentic selves.

As a sought-after speaker, Kim has delivered keynotes to organizations and institutions such as Google, Microsoft, MIT, The Drucker Forum, and The Guggenheim. She is also the founder of To Belonging, a global community of changemakers working to build Belonging by exploring the intersection of identity and purpose at home, at work and in the world. 

Belonging is part of the human condition. We all want to feel seen, heard, and valued. When we feel like we have to wear a mask to fit in, we hide core aspects of our identity that are needed to thrive. As a sought-after keynote speaker, Kim equips leaders and changemakers building cultures of Belonging with tools to build a more just and equitable world. 

Keynote Speeches:

You Belong Here: The Radical Act of Belonging to Yourself

Understanding Self and Identity with an emphasis on the importance of self-awareness in fostering belonging. 

Come As You Are: Belonging at Work

Actionable strategies for cultivating belonging in the workplace with real-world examples of co-designing norms and rituals to drive organizational change.

Build a New Table: Leadership and Belonging

A focus on guiding principles for inclusive leadership and building a Belonging Movement where each individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

Designing for Belonging is a catalytic force in the world we share. Kim's deep commitment to fostering learning and engagement is amplified through her work as a strategic advisor to network organizations. She is always eager to partner in community to build Belonging to unite us all.

Organizations:

iF Design Academy

iF Design is committed to excellence, objectivity, transparency and impact in design since 1953. Host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD, each year 10,000+ entries from 70+ countries compete in a rigorous two-step Jury process across 82 categories of design. Owned by the iF Design Foundation, a German nonprofit dedicated to design research and education, iF also hosts the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD and iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, leads conferences and events around the world, and publishes a robust annual Trend Report and online magazine. Learn more at ifdesign.com.

NationSwell

NationSwell is driven by our steadfast commitment to advancing bold, effective leadership across the impact sector, NationSwell continues to deepen the ways we serve our community, expanding the insights, expertise, and strategic guidance available to help members lead with clarity and drive meaningful change.

NationSwell Strategic Advisors bring real-world experience to the challenges and opportunities facing today’s impact leaders. Together, this group supports our members across some of the most strategic and exemplary work and needs in the sector, including building resilient organizational cultures, embedding impact into business strategy, the practice of impact leadership in organizations, architecting strategies that are differentiated and built to last, and leading on issues ranging from workforce innovation to diversity and inclusion to corporate responsibility.