Culturally Responsive Leadership and Mentorship
Upon registration you will receive the Zoom link and a calendar invite. Registration is limited and this session will be recorded. CE credits are not offered for this series.
What does it mean to be a culturally responsive mentor and leader?
Whether you are looking for guidance in your professional journey or hoping to better support others, strong mentorship can make all the difference. This interactive session invites AOTA members to explore how culture, identity, lived experiences, and personal perspectives shape the way we lead, mentor, and build connections in professional spaces.
If you are currently mentoring someone, looking for guidance in your own career, or simply hoping to become a more inclusive leader, this session offers valuable tools and takeaways. Those seeking mentors will gain insight into how to seek out supportive mentoring relationships, communicate their goals and needs with confidence, and navigate professional spaces with a stronger sense of belonging.
Session Speaker: Kimberly Bryant, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Developing leadership & mentoring practices
Explore culturally responsive mentorship techniques in fostering belonging, equity, and professional growth. Participants will examine the impact of culture, identity, and lived experiences on leadership practices while gaining practical strategies to create inclusive environments, strengthen healthy mentoring relationships, and advocate for equitable opportunities.
Session Objectives:
- Recognize how culture, identity, and bias influence leadership and mentoring relationships.
- Apply culturally responsive strategies to build trust, belonging, and inclusive professional environments. communities.
- Develop actionable approaches to address barriers, promote equity, and support the success of diverse individuals and communities.
Session Speaker
Dr. Kimberly Bryant has been a practicing occupational therapist since 2003, with over two decades of experience across inpatient, outpatient, geriatric, and school-based settings. Dr. Bryant currently serves as the Lead Occupational Therapist for Darlington County School District, delivering essential services to students ages 3–21 with disabilities. A dedicated advocate for health equity and inclusion, she was an inaugural member of AOTA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Access, and Belonging Committee and served on the AOTA Vision 2030 Strategic Planning Committee.
Her contributions to the field have earned her numerous honors, including the AOTA Roster of Fellows Award (2025) for leadership in addressing social determinants of health. She also serves as a capstone mentor and adjunct faculty for both entry-level and post-professional OT programs. Dr. Bryant has published and presented nationally on healthcare management, interprofessional collaboration, and mentorship. Her leadership and commitment to underserved communities continue to advance health equity and elevate the profession of occupational therapy.
BOLD Conversations
BOLD Conversations are monthly virtual gatherings designed for AOTA members to connect, engage, and learn in a welcoming and inclusive space. As part of AOTA’s Belonging, Opportunities, Leadership Development (BOLD) initiative, these sessions support the Association’s commitment to expanding equitable access, fostering inclusive leadership, and increasing professional visibility across the occupational therapy community. Please note: BOLD Conversations are offered as community engagement opportunities and are not eligible for CE credit.