Learn more about Eric Schnell, new Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare who will be working with the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy team!

  1. What is your job title, and what will you be doing?

    Director of Strategic Initiatives. While I’m employed at MICW, I fully serve all aspects of MNCWTA and its staff as well as CASCW. For the foreseeable future, my time will be evenly divided between both. In my work with the Academy, l will provide strategic counsel to the Academy's leadership, support and guide planning and performance initiatives, and work closely with the DEI team and all staff to collaborate in the Academy's continued work integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles across the Academy's work. For instance, as the Academy's work with Interculturalists comes to a close, we will need a plan in place for new employees who weren't able to participate in the cohort learning that all of us have, and I can help the Academy to do that. Again, that is just one example. I will also support the Academy in its efforts to strengthen partnerships, enhance organizational effectiveness, and support long-term impact. 

  2. Tell us about your education and/or work experience prior to joining the MNCWTA.

    Before joining MNCWTA, I spent over two decades leading strategic initiatives in higher education, nonprofit, and public sector organizations with a strong focus on equity and inclusion. I’ve served in multiple leadership roles at the University of Minnesota, including interim Director of the Office for Conflict Resolution, Chief Administrative and Information Officer for the Office for Equity and Diversity, and Interim Director of Disability Services (now called Disability Resource Center). In these roles, I advised leaders, facilitated change, and led system wide efforts to improve workplace culture for all. As an independent consultant, I supported the launch of the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy.

    Most recently, I served as Director of Service Delivery and Senior Executive Coach at The Bailey Group (TBG), where I oversaw coaching and organizational development services for a wide range of clients including the University of Minnesota. At TBG, I chaired the firm's first DEIB Committee and led the creation of its DEIB strategic plan. Across all my work, I've prioritized creating systems and strategies that center the voices and needs of diverse communities—especially those historically underserved—and I bring that same commitment into my role at MICW.

  3. How long have you been working in your field?

    I’ve held professional positions in several different fields during my career, including the following:
    1. Higher Education Administration: 12 years
    2. Non-Profit Leadership: 6 years
    3. Executive Coaching and Consulting: 4 years

  4. What do you enjoy most about your work?

    I get the most enjoyment out of work when I am working in areas that I feel are attempting to achieve critically important outcomes. I feel the most joy and satisfaction in my work in areas pertaining to DEIB. This is what brings me back to the U and has me the most excited about working with MNCWTA.

  5. What are you most passionate about professionally?

    I am driven to use my skills and experiences to build leadership capabilities and improve processes for organizations doing work that the world desperately needs.

  6. What are you most passionate about personally?

    It is so important that we are continuously creating spaces and places where people belong. I have a son who is neurodiverse and I’ve seen how so many have excluded and ignored him and others like him.

  7. What are you surprisingly good at? (or what do you wish you were good at)?

    I can be a fairly compelling public speaker, and I love coaching leaders who want to develop their leadership skills.

    And wow, do I ever wish I was good at the guitar! I have an electric bass sitting here waiting for me to learn it.

  8. What do you like to do outside of work?

    Hiking. Sunday morning breakfast conversations with my family. NYT crossword puzzles.

  9. What else should we know about you?

    When I turn 72 I am going to learn how to build and fly an ultralight airplane. (My term life insurance policy expires at 72!)