Quiet Systems, Big Impact: Carmela Montenegro on DEI & Purpose-Driven Pivots
Sometimes the boldest moves are the quietest ones. In this episode, I’m joined by Carmela Montenegro, a DEI consultant-turned-systems strategist, who recently made the courageous choice to close her consulting business. Carmela shares how burnout, shifting values, and real-world research led her to walk away from surface-level DEI work and lean into systems strategy, grad school, and supporting changemakers from behind the scenes.
We talk about what it means to work with integrity, why representation in outdoor spaces is deeply personal, and how stepping back can be the most powerful move you make.
Whether you’re deep in the DEI world, burned out from purpose-driven work, or just trying to figure out what’s next—you’ll find something in this one.
Closing a DEI Business and Choosing Boundaries
After years of building her name in the DEI consulting space, Carmela made the decision to shut it all down. Why? Because the passion was gone, the emotional toll was high, and the results weren’t aligned with her values anymore.
“I was putting in the same amount of effort, and getting a quarter of the revenue. The passion was gone. My ethics and mental health were taking a hit.”
One-Off Trainings Aren’t the Solution
Carmela didn’t just burn out—she dug into the research. What she found was that short-term workshops and check-the-box DEI efforts mightcause more harm than good.
“Those one-day trainings give a false sense of hope and actually push people further away from DEI.”
That realization pushed her to pivot toward systems-level work—focusing on operations, consulting from the backend, and helping others build sustainable change.
Representation, Identity & the Outdoors
Carmela’s first experience in outdoor ed left her with a pit in her stomach. She flipped through the program yearbook and didn’t see anyone who looked like her.
“It was a 10-year-old program, and I could count on one hand how many people looked like me.”
That moment sparked her commitment to representation—and the belief that joy, education, and access aren’t limited resources.
From Frontline to Behind-the-Scenes
Now, Carmela’s working as a strategist and operations expert for other DEI-aligned businesses while finishing her master’s in Outdoor Industry & Conservation. Her next big leap might even be into local government where she hopes to advocate for mental health, affordable housing, and community-first policies in mountain towns.
Why You’ll Want to Hit Play
✅ What led Carmela to shut down her DEI business
✅ The problem with surface-level DEI trainings
✅ How burnout impacts purpose-driven work
✅ Systems strategy vs. front-facing consulting
✅ Why inclusive language & policy changes matter
✅ The power of supporting others quietly—and with intention
Mentioned in This Episode
🎓 Western Colorado University's Outdoor Industry Master's Program
📚 How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
🏞️ Organizations like Blackpackers, Brown Girls Climb, National Brotherhood of Skiers
📸 Follow Carmela’s unhinged adventures on IG: @carmela.irl
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