Diverse & Inclusive Leaders

In this week’s podcast, our CEO Leila McKenzie-Delis speaks to Philip Hoggarth, CEO of Communisis and President of OSG EuropeHere’s what they discuss:- Philip's background and journey including the factors that led him to his current roles and drive his passion for business for good and the employee experience- How his personal life and journey has shaped him as a leader including his work ethic and discovering himself as a person- How Philip's goal of transforming Communisis and his D&I goals aligns with his signing the CEO Activist pledge- Talking about change, the right career and making leaps of faith in order to move forward- The needs of employees and how to engage with them and create a purpose for people beyond the fabric of the space that they work in- The importance of creating a feeling of community at work that is greater than the 9-to-5- The changing nature of Diversity and Inclusion and the importance of leading from the top authentically, with conviction and belief to create a las

This week Leila has a conversation with Kalvinder Dhillon, Vice Chair, Tax, Deloitte UK, NSE Deloitte Board MemberWhat you'll hear about:

According to Harvard Health Publishing, neurodiversity includes the many ways that people experience and interact with the world around them - there is no one correct way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not a weakness.This week's podcast features Martin McKay, CEO of Texthelp with our CEO Leila McKenzie-Delis.

In this week’s podcast, our CEO Leila McKenzie-Delis speaks to Kelly Beaver, Chief Executive, UK and Ireland, Ipsos Mori.Here’s what they discuss:

In this week’s podcast, our CEO Leila McKenzie-Delis has a conversation with Serhat Ekinci, Managing Director of Unite, Omnicom Media Group.Here’s what they discuss:

This week Leila has a conversation with Astrid Sundberg, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Oda.What you'll hear about:Astrid's story and her personal and professional journey including her work with global companies, early foray into senior leadership, single parenthood, international transitions and lived experiencesGender discrimination and speaking out, the importance of mental health and wellbeing and the need to not hold things together behind a glossy facadeInclusion and Belonging - the differences below the surface in contrast to what is visiblePrivilege awareness as a reality check and the need to speak about individual privilege more openly without feeling defensive The evolutionary scale of privilege means that we might never understand every single experience of everyone, however empathy goes a long way in learning, developing and growing as leaders and peopleAllyship exists across different dimensionsThe importance of a sense of humour in breaking down barriersThe importance of chal

Today Leila is talking to  Loren I. Shuster, Chief People Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs at The Lego Group.Learn more about :Loren's personal and professional story including his journey from a Canadian community to an international life and family and how that has shaped successThe blending of different family cultures and how it shapes leadership styles and valuesThe importance of curiousity in understanding yourself and others and to begin engaging with D&I issuesThe importance of honesty and authenticity for the culture of an organisationHow The Lego Group inspires and develops leaders of tomorrow and their key priorities in D&I to change and transformHow The Lego Group highlights business for good by using different foundational aspects to support and engage the communityChallenges that organisations face if they don't have a focus on ESGContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Today Leila is talking to Zephaniah Chukwudum, Business Manager to CEO at Microsoft UKLEARN MORE ABOUT:Zephaniah's personal experiences of culture and racismthe power of allyship, from school agethe D&I journey at Microsoft and the evolution of their ERG'sWhat does culture mean? What 'normal' values define the meaning of culture and what are the actual lived experiences?How being black can be weaponised and make you feel disadvantaged within the corporate worldWhy are ERG's and representation not only important now, but for future generations and what can we learn from themAll good things take time and effort, you can't run an ERG without time and effort but it's a growth process. You have to prove to others that there is something worthwhile joining in with. Be consistent and show up so people see you. Pick 1 or 2 simple things and start there, don't try to do it all immediately. Choose 1 or 2 things and do them well. FURTHER RESOURCES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/z

Leila is joined by Sheri Hughes, UK DE&I Director at PageGroupTODAY YOU WILL LEARN:Sheri joined PageGroup in December 2002 as a consultant for Michael Page Sales, Birmingham. In January 2015, after two maternity leaves, she moved across into the Diversity & Inclusion team, working for the Global D&I Director. Sheri’s passion and commitment to D&I shows no boundaries.Life as a working mother - Sheri didn’t want becoming a mother to hamper her career.PageGroup,  doesn’t just lead in DE&I from an industry perspective but hold some of the most prestigious DE&I accolades, such as Disability Confident Leader, The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2020 & 2018, Inclusive Companies Top 50 2019, Stonewall Top 100 2018, Clear Assured Gold and are a Race at Work signatory.Find out more about the amazing work they are doing in the spaces of maternity workshops, reverse mentoring, shadow board and inclusive hiringOTHER RESROURCES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-hughes-8695672/Continue the conve

Leila is joined by Jill Hughes, Managing Director, Accenture Song & Executive Sponsor Mental Health at Accenture UKIJill believes passionately that creating a strong culture of inclusivity and belonging is key to the success of a business.   Jill plays a leading role in Brand Learning. In addition, she leads the Health and Life Sciences squad in Accenture Interactive, helping to make a difference to patients and health care professionals through marketing transformation. On joining Accenture, one of the things that impressed Jill the most was the commitment to mental wellbeing in the business and the desire to ensure that every employee feels safe to talk about their mental wellbeing and get help when its needed. Jill first trained to become a “Mental Health Ally”, then Mental health First Aider and subsequently became a trainer for other allies. Last year, Jill was invited to become Executive Sponsor for Mental Health for Accenture UK and Ireland, a role that she feels privileged to hold. Accenture has d

Today Leila is joined by Josh Partridge, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa Region at YahooJosh Partridge is the newly appointed Head of EMEA at Yahoo having previously been the MD of the UK, Verizon Media. Josh hails from Brisbane, Australia and has spent the last 18 years living and working in the UK and Europe. Yahoo is one of the most recognised brands of all time. The brands and businesses are tightly woven into consumers’ daily habits and clients’ strategies. They have the opportunity to drive real value creation - to make lives easier, better.LEARN MORE ABOUT:- Why businesses need to look at a global approach when setting strategies - "You will fail with an English only strategy"- The strength in feeling a sense of belonging and living and breathing diversity within the workplace - "Our teams are what makes this business great and it’s the diversity of thought that comes with a team from a diverse range of backgrounds that is a great strength as we build towards the future"- Jos

Leila is joined by Lorcán Brennan, Policies Oversight Lead at Accenture.Lorcán Brennan works as part of Accenture’s Ethics and Compliance function as the Policies Oversight Lead for the organisation. He also leads the Accent on Enablement in group in Accenture Ireland which focuses on disability awareness and inclusion.Over 20 years of IT programme management with Accenture working primarily with Health and Public Service clients. Now working as part of Accenture Commercial Services and the Accenture Global Ethics & Compliance team.LEARN MORE ABOUT:- The work Lorcán has done as part of lead role for the Ireland Accent on Enablement group.- The work has he done on Recruitment and Internships – including modifying Accenture's recruitment process - job advertisements, the application and interview process. As well as establishing a neuro-diversity internship programme.- Lorcán's own personal journey and why he has such a passion for Diversity and Inclusion.- About the work Accenture have done in co

Today Leila is joined by Magda N Yrizarry, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer SVP - Global DEI & Employee Engagement at VerizonLEARN MORE ABOUT:Magda Yrizarry has been a force for change at Verizon for over three decades. As the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, she is tasked with developing strategies and programs that infuse greater equity to ensure that all employees have equal access and opportunity to advance and thrive in their careers. Core to her role as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Magda helps to ensure Verizon’s DE&I strategies care for all four stakeholders — employees, customers, society and shareholders. -  Magda has been twice recognized as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in America by the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), named to People en Español's 25 Most Powerful Women, a Top Executive in Corporate Diversity by Black Enterprise-  Magda is an ardent champion of increasing the presenc

Leila is joined by Marcia Brissett-Baily, Speaker, Writer & Top 50 Neurodiversity Women 2022TODAY YOU WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT:- Marcia's early experiences and the teachings from her grandma that she "will have to work twice as hard as a young black girl" as doors close due to your colour and your ethnicity.- Intersectionality and what it means to Marcia and how that has developed and interwoven throughout her education and career.- The sense of belonging and why that is important. How it is about more than just being diverse and inclusive. - How Marcia empowers others through the work she does. How she empowers others to find their voice and not to be invisible. FURTHER RESOURCES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-brissett-bailey-bsc-pg-dip-qcg-ma-ipsea-6315a2b8/edInContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Ewen MacPherson, Group Chief People Officer at Havas UKTODAY YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:- Ewen's background and how he went from studying Marine & Environmental Sciences, to his current role at Havas UK- He is a firm believer in  'follow your nose' and see where opportunity takes you- Is D&I a HR role? How the role of HR changed and evolved- Being action driven, have impactful targets and have D&I specific KPIs to drive that change- How Havas UK have expanded their champion networks and tailor their strategies- It takes a village to build a village- ERGs and how they are organised within Havas and their wider communityFURTHER RESOURCES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewen-macpherson-5037b914/dInContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Christ Hirst, Global CEO at Havas CreativeLEARN MORE ABOUT:- Chris Hirst is a change agent, widely recognized as an innovative and inspirational leader. - While studying at Harvard Business School, Chris developed his now-proven approach to leadership. He believes in the principles of an open culture – where people are given permission to take risks and make mistakes. He is actively engaged in broadening the appeal of the advertising industry and sees diversity and social mobility as key factors in the future health of the creative industries.- His first book, No Bullshit Leadership - Why the world needs more everyday leaders and why that leader is you, is published through Profile Books on 2nd May 2019.- Named in 2018's Evening Standard Power 1000 list, Chris is a regular commentator in national press including BBC News, The Politics Show, Evening Standard, CNBC, Financial Times and Sky News. -  “Leadership is always the problem and leadership is always the solution!”FURTHER RESOURCES

Leila is joined by Rachel Watkyn, Managing Director, Tiny Box Company LimitedLEARN MORE ABOUT:- Rachel's aim to inspire future entrepreneurs - The Circular Economy - what is it?- Her award winning business and what drives Rachel to grow and succeed- The work she does in other countries, and how she works in an environmentally friendly way as much as possible- Thinking about the impact of your decisions - how does it impact society/the community?- The role of a 'non-confirmist' within business and D&IRESOURCES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-watkyn-a1296915/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Darion Cranfield, Director of Retail Program Management, & Chair of the African-American Leadership BRG at WalgreensTODAY YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:- Darion's personal and professional journey. Coming from a single parent family in Chicago, where there was a lack of role models so he had to find his own way, to becoming a parent when he was 20 years old and how that shaped his professional development.- How Darion wants to enable others to be leaders, give them their chance to shine. Have real models as role models within society as well as the business.- How the BRGs at Walgreens are more than just a 'group'. They connect the business to the employees and work with them for equity and to give them a voice.- Belonging is a state of mind, its a foundational element and once you have a sense of belonging internally, others externally can start to see it.- Walgreens internship programs and how they encourage diverse applicants and put some intention behind the effort. - Darion at

Leila is joined by Rita Clifton CBE, Chair of Forum for the FutureTODAY YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:- role modelling, mentors, allies and representation and how they impact on an individual- reflections on the current climate and how Zelensky is an amazing example of a role model and a leader- how individuals should be using their leadership role to support, influence and encourage others and give them the opportunity for career progression- You shouldn't have to 'fake it until you make it', you should be valued at every level- Self ID - why you should be yourself, show your feelings and your emotions, be human- Imposter syndrome and how it can negatively affect individuals throughout their careerOTHER RESOURCES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaclifton/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Miranda Wayland, Head of Creative and Workforce for Diversity and inclusion, BBCTODAY YOU WILL LEARN:- About Miranda's background and the discriminations she faced in different areas of her life- Her love for television, and how being a parent helped her to see television from a new perspective- Your networks and the influence they have over you and your journey- How she is leading diversity and inclusion across the BBC - Social mobility, disability and her intersectional journey- Role modelling, real models and how what we see on our screen influences different generationsOTHER RESOURCES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/miranda-wayland-25b2a113/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn