WHO WE ARE

At CBI we know that success requires more than just awareness and sensitivity to diversity – it takes the ability to relate and work effectively within various cultural / economical / generational environments.

No matter how culturally diverse an organization or institution is, not all experiences, perceptions and perspectives are alike. This oversight can lead to ineffectiveness in collaborative work, lack of access to global competent curriculum, underachievement of desired outcomes, and unsatisfying relationships.

We believe traditional approaches to diversity and inclusion are no longer effective
Our customized approach bridges the knowledge gaps of organizations providing effective insight into how different cultures function across industries and educational institutions.

We help you to develop skills and approaches in an environment that allow for better collaboration and problem-solving. We do this through teaching, training, coaching and developing client-specific programs and tools designed to significantly enhance cultural intelligence and global competency.

We create individualized programs and solutions
We examine the unique cultural, cross-border, diversity and inclusion challenges your organization or school faces to help you develop language and behaviors that allow for better collaboration, problem solving, and classroom innovation that incorporates global competence.

This assessment provides a baseline for understanding how cultural intelligence can improve your organization’s day-to-day activities, and enables us to create a tailored training approach that result in the adoption of behaviors and attitudes that lead to improved outcomes and instruction.

Sharon Lim, a Georgetown University School of Foreign Service graduate with a Master’s in International Relations and a teaching degree from MNSU-Mankato, boasts extensive experience in business development, marketing, and communications across global corporations like General Electric, Medtronic, and Cargill. Raised in multicultural Malaysia to a Sri Lankan/Chinese father and an Irish/German mother, her upbringing fueled her passion for fostering connections and engagement. Sharon spearheads initiatives where she partners with multinational corporations, K-12 educational institutions, and non-profits.

Sharon believes in the importance of leveraging Cultural Intelligence (CQ) to foster global competence, equity, and inclusion as a bridge to enhance collaboration, engagement and managing differences. Her focus remains on improving international relations, team outcomes, and strengthening connections within diverse communities. With her multicultural background and extensive expertise, Sharon is committed to empowering organizations and educational institutions to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Dr. Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman, originally from Mexico, is a pioneering leader in K-12 education, renowned for her expertise in empowering multilingual learners. With a career spanning both public and private sectors, including higher education, she has held influential roles such as Minnesota Assistant Commissioner of Education, advocating for inclusivity and academic success for students and families through collaborative strategies and partnerships.

With extensive experience in K-12 administration, including positions as Principal, Deputy Ed. Officer, and High School Superintendent in Boston, Massachusetts, Minneapolis and Sleepy Eye in Minnesota. Elia, is recognized for her collaborative approaches, community engagement, and international partnerships. Committed to youth development and international education, she actively contributes to various Boards of nonprofit organizations. She attended MNSU-Mankato and St Cloud State University for her bachelor’s and post-graduate degrees. Residing in Sleepy Eye with her husband Mark, Elia embodies a lifelong dedication to educational excellence and community empowerment.