Uplifting Impact

Sheilina Henry is the Senior Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. She’s responsible for cultivating an environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds while providing equitable access to opportunity. Sheilina has had a variety of roles within the company, but is now leading their diversity, equity and inclusion work. She is working to help make sure that everybody, whether you’re coming into the dining space or whether you’re on the team, is having a wonderful and inclusive experience.

The restaurant industry is no stranger to diversity. However, Sheilina shares that the past 18-months have revealed diversity gaps within the industry, disparities, and lack of resources. She also details some of her personal experiences that have shaped the way she approaches both DEI work and work that she does within the food industry, and how important it is to share these experiences to build trust and safe spaces with others. To connect with Sheilina, you can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilina-henry-07036617

Topics In This Episode

• The importance of adaptability not only to the food industry, but to all industries and organizations
• Focusing on internal talent
• How to initiate change
• Leading with honesty and difficult conversations
• Implementing self-care
• Understanding and using your privilege in order to lift others up

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Bringing the Human Back to Human Resources
• Strategies for wide-spread and long-lasting change

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Andre Nellams is a human resource leader with more than 20 years of HR experience. In his current role as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Accolade, Inc., he focuses on strategies that introduce, build and implement human resources programs and initiatives that deliver key results. He also enjoys creating and being a part of a work environment where the sense of belonging is true and honest.

In our conversation, Andre shares many helpful strategies for approaching this work for those that may be new to DEI as well as for those who have been doing this work for a while. We discuss inherent bias, the importance of one-on-one conversations, and how to use the data that you gather to build policies and practices that will result in positive change. Andre also shares a strong sense of family and community, and how his passion for success shows up for him and impacts those around him. To connect with Andre, you can find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anellamshrleader

Topics In This Episode

• Every aspect of a business (even in technology and automation) has a human element
• Adapting policies and procedures for current events
• The relationship between human resources and DEI practices
• Creating momentum and enthusiastic support around HR policies and initiatives
• Understanding who your target is in order to move the needle forward
• The process for understanding the status quo to then build thoughtful initiatives
• DEI burnout and strategies to prevent it
• Approaching DEI from the perspective of intersectionality

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Strategies for wide-spread and long-lasting change
• Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

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Asif Sadiq has had a long and rich career in the equity and inclusion space with senior executive roles at Adidas, the Telegraph and EY Financial Services. He’s been listed as one of the Most Influential Global D&I Leaders by Hive Learning, CIPD’s Top 20 Power List, and was honored with an MBE in 2017 by the Queen. As the Senior Vice President of Equity and Inclusion at WarnerMedia International, Asif works on globally driving the agenda around diversity.

In our conversation, we address the growth that is happening in the DEI space, and important considerations organizations should think about when filling DEI related positions. We talk about how to approach DEI work within different organizations and how it requires more than a blanket approach, and we discuss some important tools for driving widespread change. Asif also explains the important relationship between activism and DEI work, along with how activism drives DEI and what they look like in our personal lives versus inside the workplace. To connect with Asif, you can find him on LinkedIn at https://uk.linkedin.com/in/asif-sadiq-mbe-b8a58b14

Topics In This Episode:

• Pitching DEI initiatives within an organization
• Removing the emotional connection to DEI in the workplace, and why it’s important
• Changes in DEI over the last 18-months
• The relationship between social justice and DEI work
• Creating strategies for wide-spread and lasting change that benefits all members of an organization
• Differences between diversity and inclusion

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
• DEI is the responsibility of all leaders, not just those with the ‘DEI’ title

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Joseph Machicote is the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer of Premier Inc. Joe partners with the CEO, executive team, and other stakeholders to formalize a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the company. He also serves as premier spokesperson on matters related to DEI. Some of his specialties include human resource management, diversity and inclusion, organizational psychology and development, organizational design, employee relations, employment, labor law, and labor relations.

In our conversation, Joseph shares that even though he is not new to this work, he never stops seeking new information and development that he can apply to his practices and his role. He shares his recommendations for those that may be new to DEI work on how to get started. He details the four categories of DEI within Premier, and the strategies for implementation within the organization. To connect with Joseph, you can find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-machicote-a3858a5

Topics In This Episode

• Creating DEI policies and practices that are easily integrated and implemented
• 4 Levels of DEI within Premier
• The ripple effect of supplier diversity
• Assessing and evaluating current strategies before implementing new ones
• The relationship between culture and accountability
• A growth mindset versus a fixed mindset

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Social Conditioning and Its Effect on Leadership
• DEI is the responsibility of all leaders, not just those with the ‘DEI’ title

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Sheri Crosby Wheeler is the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for Fossil Group Inc, a global design marketing, distribution, and innovation company with distinctive watches, accessories, and wearables that are all created from some of the greatest brands in the world. She is a diversity leader, employment lawyer, and an avid community volunteer. She’s also a member of the state bar of Texas. In our conversation, we really dive into DEI work within corporations, and the importance of both the individual and the structural levels, how to accomplish both, and why both are equally important.

Topics In This Episode

• Approaching DEI work with apprehension
• DEI work looks different for everyone
• Effective strategies for leaders
• DEI may not be everyone’s job title, but it’s everyone’s responsibility
• Important tools for DEI work
• Building trust on the systems level
• The rate of change within an organization, and having patient urgency

Connect

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shericrosbywheeler

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Breaking the Mold: Social Conditioning and Its Effect on Leadership
• Celebrate Diversity: How to Rethink Society So It’s Inclusive Of All

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Hira Ali is a leadership trainer, career coach, and Founder of Advancing Your Potential. She is passionate about empowering women and ethnic minorities, closing the gender gap, and advocating diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Telegraph, BBC, Harper’s Bazaar, and Huff Post, and in 2019 she released her first book, Her Way To The Top: A Guide to Smashing the Glass Ceiling. Just recently she released her second companion book, Her Allies: A Practical Toolkit to Help Men Lead Through Advocacy.

In this episode, Hira and Justin talk about the role of men as allies in gender equality, particularly in the work place, and specific ways in which men can be helpful. They discuss the qualities of a successful workshop and ways to leave a lasting impact as a speaker or workshop leader. Hira also details her background, how she started doing diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and her passion for coaching. To connect with Hira, find her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hira-ali-5972b91b/

Topics In This Episode

• The importance of speaking and leading with authenticity
• Finding your passion
• Commonalities among women and minorities
• The social conditioning of men and women, and its effect on leadership
• Internal and external challenges facing women and minorities
• Good male ally-ship

Connect

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hira-ali-5972b91b/
• Website: https://advancingyourpotential.com/about
• Social Media: @advancingyou

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Celebrate Diversity: How to Rethink Society So It’s Inclusive Of All
• Be Impatient in your Fight Against Social Injustices

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Debra Ruh is the founder and CEO of Ruh Global Impact to help empower clients to be global problem solvers and leaders of social change. Debra is also a global disability inclusion strategist, Keynote speaker, and a published author. She also is the host of The Human Potential At Work podcast, sharing inspirational stories and tips for bringing out the best in everyone.

Debra Ruh has faced disability in her life and within her family, and as such, it has become her personal mission to create more equity for those who face lived experiences with disabilities. In our conversation, we discuss the work she is doing to foster equity in the work place for those with disabilities, such as challenging leaders to rethink their strategies and recruitment in order to create a more inclusive environment. We also talk about the relationship between technology and people with disabilities, and the power of diversity for problem solving. To learn more about Billion Strong and how you can join the movement, go to: http://billion-strong.org/

Topics In This Episode

• What inspires her to do the work that she does
• We are all leaders
• Making a difference from where you are
• Recognizing invisible disabilities
• Rethinking society in a way that includes everyone

Connect

• Social Media: @debraruh
• https://www.ruhglobal.com/
• Billion-strong.org
• Podcast: https://www.ruhglobal.com/podcasthuman-potential-work/

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Be Impatient in your Fight Against Social Injustices
• Empowering Employees To Be Part Of The Solution

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Jose Antonio Tijerino is a proud immigrant from Nicaragua, and is President and CEO of the Hispanic heritage foundation, a national nonprofit focused on education, workforce, social impact and culture through the lens of innovative leadership. He also serves as executive producer of the Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy center, and co-founded the leadership Institute with Trinity university, which connects graduating high school seniors with mentors throughout college and their careers. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards and through his leadership and inspiration, has created many programs to help in the area of social justice.

In our conversation, we talk about the importance of taking action as an activist, and Jose shares how he has built programs through inspiring and mobilizing members of his networks and communities. He also brings up the importance of DEI practitioners to work together and celebrate each other as allies. There can certainly be competition within the space for funding and resources, but Jose impresses on us that it is our responsibility to uplift and celebrate each other in order to make the biggest impact. To connect with Jose, find him on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-tijerino-9881847, or on social media, links below.

Topics In This Episode

• Where to find inspiration and how to harness it
• Creating action within yourself and those around you
• Be impatient with your activism
• There is freedom that comes from little to no funding
• Our responsibility when we get a seat at the table
• Never sit quietly in the room. Everything you bring to the room has value.

Connect

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-tijerino-9881847
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hispanicheritage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hispanicheritage
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hispanicheritage

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Empowering Employees To Be Part Of The Solution
• How To Be A Responsible DEI Leader

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Jenn Zephirin is the Vice President and Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Match Group, whose mission is to spark meaningful connections for every single person worldwide. In her role, she is responsible for developing and implementing programs to achieve Match Group’s diversity goals. Prior to her current position with Match Group, she worked as the diversity and inclusion business partner for technology at Uber technologies and served as a private DEI consultant for brands like Unilever and the Levo Institute.

Jenn shares the importance of allyship and connecting with your colleagues that may not feel engaged in the workplace. Even in 2021 some team members may be “the only one” in any number of demographics or categories. We discuss her book, Misunderstood Millennials, The Other 91%, focusing on the shifts that millennials have made on the work force, and challenging preconceived ideas of the effects of these shifts. To connect with Jenn, find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-zephirin-5967bb12

Topics In This Episode

• Why Jenn believes that DEI important
• Questions to ask to ensure that your workplace is equitable and inclusive
• Diversity is more than just demographic information
• Investigating millennials needs in the work place
• How to advocate for DEI work
• Starting conversations to help others see outside perspectives

Connect

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-zephirin-5967bb12

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• How To Be A Responsible DEI Leader
• Creating an Environment of Authenticity and Inclusivity in the Workplace

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Sharon Harvey Davis is the VP of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for Ameren. In her role, she is responsible for leading all DEI strategic efforts, including diversity training, employee resource groups, diversity communications, and the executive diversity council. Under Sharon’s leadership Amarin has been ranked as one of the nation’s top utilities by diversity, Inc for 12 consecutive years.

Throughout her 19 years of experience with Ameren, Sharon has seen many changes within the diversity space. She shares some of the developments and progressions that have taken place, both within Ameren and with diversity work overall. We discuss some challenges she has faced, and some of the coming trends for DEI work as well. To connect with Sharon, you can find her on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-harvey-davis-76234a5

Topics In This Episode

• The responsibility of DEI to both recruit new people, and also ensuring a sense of belonging and engagement within the organization
• How Ameren fosters equitability among team members
• The impact that external events have within a company or organization
• DEI’s role in corporate strategy
• Building networks and credibility within an organization in order to create influence
• The difference in expectations that millennials have on their employers, how that differs from previous generations, and what companies should do to ensure retention and engagement
• Analytics are key in order to create strategic programs

Connect

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-harvey-davis-76234a5

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Creating an Environment of Authenticity and Inclusivity in the Workplace
• DEI Is Not “One Size Fits All”

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