Tag: diversity and inclusion

How to Measure the Success of Your DEI Initiatives 

When businesses begin implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, they may have a lot of ideas about what those initiatives will look like but not how to measure their success. DEI measurements identify areas of risk of exclusion, prioritize initiatives, set targets and program goals, assign accountability, and measure the ultimate impact of the […]

Beyond the Tokens: Practical Ways to Put Equity First

There’s no doubt about the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for organizational success. Studies have proven that equity-informed organizations have more engaged employees, better retention rates, and higher earning potential. These facts have made DEI one of the hottest buzzwords in business over the past decade. The challenge for many leaders has been […]

Securing a Gender-Equal Future with Boldness and Respect

I believe differences are meant to be celebrated and in the strength of many. When a unique mix of people come together with different experiences and are comfortable sharing their perspectives, the outcome is fruitful. How else can we expect to shed light on our blind spots? How else can we learn and apply new, […]

Faces of HR: Lorraine Ortiz on Helping People Realize Their ‘Why’

Lorraine Ortiz has nearly 25 years of HR professional and executive coach experience in nonprofit, corporate, health care, and higher education. Throughout her impressive career, Ortiz has held several executive roles, including Vice President of HR at Riley Children’s Health, Director of HR—Retail Division at Goodwill Industries of Central and Southern Indiana, and Vice President […]

For Better DEI, Understand the Why

Nearly a year of seemingly continuous layoffs throughout the tech industry have harmed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, raising concerns about the vulnerability of recent DEI gains in the workplace. To ensure DEI initiatives are not only continued but strengthened, we must understand the total value they bring, to employees and employers alike. DEI […]

DEI Initiatives “Not For The Weary,” But Rewards are Great

DEI programs have evolved considerably in scope and complexity in recent years. What were once often derided as PR efforts paying lip service to the objectives of DEI have developed into sophisticated efforts touching virtually all aspects of the organization and managed by a dedicated team of committed professionals. Tiara Chesmer-Williams, Head of Inclusion, Diversity […]

Faces of HR: Don Robertson on Building an Ecosystem of Connectivity, Culture & Talent

Before Don Robertson segued into HR, he launched and spent half his career in accounting, finance, and sales. If you ask him, he’s just a “businessperson that happens to be in HR.” Nearly 38 years later, Robertson’s “strong fundamental business and finance background” laid the foundation for his impressive career as an HR executive. Robertson […]

Lifelong Passion Leads to Opportunity for Change

So many of the diversity and inclusion leaders we meet through our series on DEI leaders took circuitous, unexpected routes toward their roles. They stumbled into DEI leadership positions through twists of fate and happenstance. Erin Mitchell Richeson, vice president of inclusion and diversity (I&D) for Cox Enterprises and the subject of this installment of our series […]

Implications of Changes in the PUMP Act

Breast milk can be incredibly important for a baby’s health, making the ability to express milk while at work a top priority for new mothers.  The PUMP Act provides nursing mothers the right to take breaks and to have a place to express milk during the workday. This right extends for one year after the birth […]

Ilina Ewen: Born into the Role of a Diversity Leader

Our subject for this installment of our ongoing series on chief diversity officers and other diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) leaders is someone who says she was “born into” the field of diversity and inclusion (D&I). Ilina Ewen, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samet Corporation, a North Carolina-based construction firm, has leveraged her […]