34: Alexandra Evreinoff, MD Involve: On DEI, role models and being an ally

Shownotes: My guest on this episode of The Elephant in the Room podcast is Alexandra Evreinoff, Managing Director at Involve a global network and consultancy championing diversity and inclusion in business since 2013. We spoke about role models and why it is important to see people like ourselves succeeding in the workplace. Involve publishes several annual role model lists recognising and celebrating business leaders and future leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and inspiring the next generation of diverse talent 1) HERoes Women Role Model Lists showcasing leaders who are championing women in business and driving change for gender diversity in the workplace; 2) the Global OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model Lists showcasing LGBT+ business leaders and allies and the 3) EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model lists showcasing business leaders who are working hard to smash the ceiling for ethnic minorities in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and people of colour in the United States and Canada. A quick glance at the lists shows that there is no shortage of talent in across industries (no surprise there) We also talked about the importance of benchmarking, monitoring and evaluation of DEI initiatives, The dangers of self-certification as an ally Keeping the agenda at the top table; Those who are doing it well.... How organisations can kickstart their own journey 'If Not Now, When? campaign that has been signed by over 80 business leaders pledging change including BP, Tesco, StarlingBank, TimeOutGroup, Talk Talk, Greene King, Kier Group and Discovery UK.

Om Podcasten

The Elephant in the Room Podcast is a curated safe space to have uncomfortable conversations about the pervasive inequalities in society and our workplaces. The idea of the podcast was born from my sense of conflict about identity, self and the concept of privilege and fuelled by my own need to understand how my overlapping identities and experiences had impacted and would continue to impact my life chances. Two years ago I decided to ‘opt out’ to find my own purpose and focus on passion projects including learning about the systemic biases that are endemic in business and society. The Podcast is my very own listening project, a step towards being more intentional in my learning. The Elephant in the Room Podcast is for people who want to be a part of the change, for those who want to step up & speak out, for those who want to learn more about biases, barriers and best practice, for business leaders and for individuals, anyone who is interested in a fairer, more inclusive and compassionate society and workplace. Each week I will interview inspiring speakers from across the world on issues that are taboo and deserve to be mainstream including(but not limited to) systemic and institutionalised racism, discrimination based on further eight protected characteristics, poverty, mental health, climate change. The podcast will also talk about cognitive inclusion, culture, purpose, ethics and the importance of empathy, cultural intelligence and how conversations on identity and disadvantage would be incomplete without considering intersectionality. With the podcast I hope to share stories of people with lived experiences, stories that may have never been told, stories that galvanise us to take action for change and keep the conversations alive by raising the decibel on issues of inequity, inequality in our search for a fairer and more inclusive world.