Brenda Thompson-El’s career has taken her from the southern United States — she was raised in Arkansas — to numerous international destinations. The jet-setting equestrian has done everything from opening call centers in India to teaching organizational development in the Netherlands.
These experiences taught her how to navigate cultural differences and solidified her interest in exploring how diverse perspectives contribute to an organization’s workplace culture.
With six months at UNLV under her belt, the director of learning and organizational development is working with leaders and their teams to promote a long-term learning culture.
What is your expertise?
By trade, I am a psychologist. I have my Ph.D. from the University of Chicago School of Professional Psychology. For the last 15 years, I have worked in the organizational development field as an executive coach specializing in leadership development, team culture building, and organizational design. I groom individuals and leaders to be the best versions of themselves.
Tell me about your experience before coming to UNLV.
The majority of my work has been in the publicly traded sector all over the world. Along with coaching and development, I’ve consulted organizations on diversity and inclusion, conducted cultural assessments, and cultivated individuals into coaches.
My first stint in Las Vegas was in 2006 when I worked for MGM Resorts, where I was brought in to assess and change their culture. I’ve also worked at Cigna in the same capacity.
What does Learning and Operational Development do at UNLV?
People sometimes view HR as a punitive entity when in reality, the HR department here at UNLV works to create an inclusive experience for everyone on campus.
My role is to develop a framework to help people create a learning culture. We look for ways to assist and partner, not to disrupt. My small but mighty team supports teams as well as individuals who want to sharpen their skills and be a better version of themselves. At the forefront of our minds is how we can encourage and create a learning community.
What does “learning culture” mean?
A learning culture is an organizational mindset that prioritizes learning by identifying avenues to maximize an individual's work performance. The approach is guided by competencies that outline defined values, processes, and practices that encourage learning and skills development to reinforce and align individuals to the culture’s expectations.
Cultivating a learning culture means my team uses assessments and surveys to help teams determine what they want their culture to look like by identifying the behaviors that they expect from their staff. This approach enables a leader to recognize skill gaps and implement the professional development learning plan that promotes and encourages the expected behavior.
Is working with teams to develop culture and organizational structure what you thought you’d be doing when you grew up?
When I was a little girl, my mother dressed me in red for years. So naturally, when the elementary school brought the red fire engine on campus for the kids to explore, I decided I wanted to be a firefighter. I was so impressed with their work and the heroic nature of their job, I wanted to be that.
What I do for organizations today — assessing circumstances, recommending needed changes within a team or department, and conducting culture assessments — ideally, prevents and/or extinguishes workplace “fires” that can billow into uncontrollable situations. I am constantly working to intercept situations for the greater good of the organization.
Best tip or advice for someone new to UNLV?
Making connections with individuals is important because you can feel like an island when starting at a new place. Getting to know people across different colleges and units helps to understand the culture of the university as well as the culture of different departments because there are cultures within a culture.
How much UNLV apparel do you own?
I am fairly new to UNLV but I do own a hat, a notebook, and a pen. I definitely plan to make a trip to the bookstore soon for some swag.
What can people do to make your job easier?
People have to do their due diligence. That means being self-reflective and accountable to themselves so they can be collaborative to achieve their cultural team goals.
Ideally, leadership and I work in concert to determine gaps and establish a cultural vision. It is counterintuitive for me to provide clarity and recommendations on an incomplete picture. Omitting important information is not transparency and that is a key building block that helps me do what I do effectively.
Learning is very different from training. I work with supervisors and managers to understand their team’s capabilities and how to help their staff and faculty maximize learning and growth. I advise individuals that the best thing they can do for their organizations and teams is to better themselves. People have to know what results they are seeking.
If you weren’t working at UNLV, where do you think you’d be?
I have my own business so I would be consulting, coaching leaders, and conducting assessments in a full-time capacity. Working and collaborating with people is where I thrive.
What is the worst advice you’ve ever received?
The worst advice I ever received was from a supervisor who did not have my best interest at heart. I was right out of undergrad in a managerial position and my boss suggested that I pursue a career as an analyst. Certain situations made me understand that this person didn’t believe in me the way a supervisor should and their suggestion was a punitive mechanism. I wasn’t devastated. I was catapulted to go harder! Three months later, I left that company for a senior director position, doing what I was passionate about.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Lean into fear. Believe in yourself. When someone says you need to do something, don’t just do it. Gut-check to understand what you want and go for it! Failure is an opportunity to reflect and reassess.
When I had my first major opportunity to live outside of the U.S., everyone told me not to take it because the country was unsafe for women and I wouldn’t be successful. I realized that people will try to put their fears or shortcomings onto you. When that happened to me, I leaned into it! I know that things will not always be perfect but even when someone tries to “warn” me about a certain thing or person, I go into the experience clear-headed without concern about what others have told me.
I create my own experiences and that’s what I would tell my younger self. Have faith. Do everything you want to do within reason. Be kind to yourself and others. Explore.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am an equestrian and have been riding and showing American Saddlebred horses since I was a young girl. My favorite horse was named Ringo Kid. I absolutely love [riding]. It’s an important part of my life’s story.
What was the last book you couldn’t put down or show you binge-watched?
Suits is the last show I binged. It’s really good. The storylines have amazing adventures and simulations of real-life drama that are so captivating.
When it comes to books, I thoroughly enjoyed Prince Harry and Will Smith’s biographies. Both books offer interesting perspectives that we don’t see in the media. Leadership books and biographies help me learn about people, how they think, and their life experiences. Remember, I am a psychologist by trade.
What’s the last celebrity death that really affected you?
Kobe Bryant’s death devastated me. I just couldn’t believe he and his daughter perished. I was so sad for him and his family.
What is one of your favorite food spots in Las Vegas?
I don’t have one. I am vegan and have been for about 10 years. My friends get so excited to introduce me to new vegan places but I don’t care about food like that. Give it to me through a straw because I am not a foodie.
Best tip for staying cool during the Vegas summers.
Staying inside is my best tip. I am not a pool person. I go out on occasion. I try to avoid going outside for anything as much as possible during the hottest months of the year in Vegas.
My ideal summer vacation is:
The coast of Australia is a place I have yet to visit! It is on my list.
