“The fundamental problem is that inequality exists in our society. It exists all over our society, in many different forms, whether it’s racism or sexism or ableism or poverty…The door between our broader community and our organizations is a very porous one—it’s a wide-open door.”
COVID-19 has magnified a myriad of issues in our society. From child care and poverty to labour force participation and systemic racism, issues and movements have been thrust into the spotlight and have laid bare the reality that inequity is a part of our society—and because inequity is part of our society, it is also present in our businesses.
On this episode, we take a journey to discovering what it means to build better business through diversity, inclusion and equity practices, and why inequity is not just a social issue but an economic one.
We learn what fundamental questions leaders should be asking as they not only think about their post-COVID hiring plans but making systemic change throughout their operations to address inequities.
We hear stories from those in the LGBTQ2S+ and BIPOC communities on their personal experiences navigating inequities in society and in business and get their perspective on how leaders can take the charge to develop affirmative business practices.
And we learn how to recognize that inequity is a shared problem—and we all have a role in developing and working out the solution. And we share how to approach these uncomfortable conversations and issues with courage and bravery.
Bios for our guests and links to learn more about their work are included below.
In this episode
- Importance of diversity, inclusion and equity in our businesses
- Understanding and owning the problem (and solutions) of inequity in our businesses
- Incorporating equity practices in post-COVID re-hiring plans and building better strategies
- Why diversity, inclusion and equity is deep organizational change and where businesses should start
- Common pitfalls to diversity, inclusion and equity strategies
- Addressing anti-racism myths and strategies
- What business leaders should think about when responding to social issues and movements like Black Lives Matter
- Approaching diversity, inclusion and equity with courage and curiosity
Resources mentioned
- https://prideatwork.ca/
- Skilled by Design: Building a Better Alberta (Page 8)
- Boston Consulting Group: “How diverse leadership teams build innovation”
- https://www.gendereconomy.org/the-debate-about-quotas/
- https://www.tidalequality.com/blog/stop-making-the-business-case-for-equity-diversity-and-inclusion
- https://www.tidalequality.com/blog/dont-do-unconscious-bias-training
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/04/business-case-for-diversity-in-the-workplace/
- https://www.alberta.ca/anti-racism-advisory-council.aspx#toc-2
Guest Bios and Links
About Dr. Kristen Liesch
Dr. Kristen Liesch is co-CEO and cofounder of Tidal Equality. Named a Forbes Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer, Kristen is a strategist and educator with 15 + years of experience designing transformative curricula, implementing equitable process changes, and capacity building programs to support the design of more equitable organizations in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and New Zealand.
About Anna Dewar Gully
Anna Dewar Gully is co-CEO and cofounder of Tidal Equality. Anna is an organizational strategist with 15 + years of experience designing enterprise-wide strategy, advising boards and leading on governance, spearheading transformation initiatives, and building greater equality in large systems and organizations in Canada, the U.S., Europe and the UK.
Learn more about Tidal Equality: https://www.tidalequality.com/
About Pam Krause
Pam Krause is the President and CEO of the Centre for Sexuality (formerly the Calgary Sexual Health Centre). She has been with the Agency since 2001, taking on the leadership role in 2004. Graduating from the University of Calgary with a BA in Political Science, Pam began her career in municipal and provincial politics.
An advocate and activist on issues related to women’s equality and social justice, Pam has worked and volunteered in the Calgary non-profit community for 25 years. Her previous roles include work with the Elizabeth Fry Society, where she advanced the opening of the first halfway house exclusively for women in Alberta.
Under Pam’s leadership, the Centre for Sexuality has grown and today is the only non-profit organization in our community that provides comprehensive sexual health education programs and services to people across the lifespan. The Centre is recognized as a leader for implementing innovative programs that have meaningful results for the populations they serve.
Pam’s leadership has been recognized by being named a Global Television Woman of Vision, and she is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her years of community service. In 2017 Pam was named as one of 150 Calgary women who have impacted Calgary over the past 150 years by the YW Calgary She Who Dares initiative. Pam serves on the Board of Governors at the University of Calgary.
Pam has a wealth of experience in leadership, governance and social innovation and is a strong advocate in our community.
Learn more about the Centre for Sexuality: https://www.centreforsexuality.ca/
About Heather Campbell
Heather Campbell, P.Eng., has had a diverse twenty-four-year energy career with technical, commercial, energy policy, and business advisory positions in petrochemicals, oil and gas, clean technology and innovation, energy consultancies, and energy industries. Heather is the Team Lead, Legal Registry in TC Energy Corporation’s corporate compliance organization.
Ms. Campbell holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in Biochemical and Chemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario (Western University) in addition to a Master of Laws in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Dundee. She is a licensed Professional Engineer practicing in Alberta, Canada.
Ms. Campbell is an engaged, lifelong community volunteer, actively sharing her talents, resources and time by participating and often leading a purposely diverse range of organizations. Ms. Campbell is the co-chair of Alberta’s Anti-Racism Advisory Council, a board director with Calgary’s performing arts centre Arts Commons, is a member of the Advisory Council for Western Engineering, and the People’s Warden at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Calgary.
Learn more about the Anti-Racism Advisory Council: https://www.alberta.ca/anti-racism-advisory-council.aspx
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