Have you ever paused to reflect on how you can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable environment?
The recent “Doing Inclusion Differently” event organised by Serein at Bengaluru did just that. It brought together over 80+participants, offering a dynamic space to share experiences, strategies and insights for fostering true diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the workplace and beyond!
Through inspiring personal stories, seven remarkable individuals shed light on the importance of pushing boundaries, amplifying marginalised voices and dismantling systemic barriers one step at a time.
Sudha Kidao’s story emphasised the power of intersectionality in the field of education. As the Managing Trustee for Excellence India Trust she has helped a lot of academically bright students through scholarships and mentorship in the field of STEM. She highlighted the importance of empathy, flexibility and accountability in creating opportunities for all and especially in retaining female talent and avoiding attrition.
Major Shubra Agrawal, a trailblazer in the Indian Army and presently the Global Supply Chain and Procurement Leader at State Street, shared how she shattered patriarchal norms and shattered glass ceilings in a traditionally male-dominated field by being the 1st woman officer at the Kargil War in the 1990s. She eloquently explained all the hardships that she had to face as the only female officer but how she took it as a challenge and emerged successful. Her experience highlights the critical need to dismantle societal barriers and the importance to speak up and ask for what you truly want.
Ultra-marathoner Deepa Bhat brought attention to gender and age discrimination in the sports world. Her story emphasised how she overcame challenges as a mom in her mid 30s and proved that age is just a number and as long as we are ready to go out of our comfort zone, the sky is the limit and we can achieve anything that we would want to.
FreyaD’Souza from Dentsu, highlighted the indispensable role of data in creating impactful DEI strategies. From challenging assumptions to measuring progress, data-driven insights are essential in ensuring DEI initiatives are effective, accountable and continuously evolving.
Vinutha Kadayam Venkataraman from Chirathe Ventures, delved into the importance of integrating DEI into the venture capital ecosystem. She urged VC firms to prioritize inclusive investment strategies, recognition of the potential of female founders, diverse portfolios and equitable access to funding. She also highlighted the importance of speaking about DEI at home and making children aware of the importance that it holds not just at the workplace but everywhere.
Deepesh Sharma, , Vice President, Human Resources from Natixis and Moiz S Barodwala, Associate Human Resources Director from Synechron shared their hands-on experiences with implementing DEI strategies in corporate environments. They believed that true DEI progress requires constant inward reflection, leadership buy-in, employee engagement, continuous training and a culture of allyship and accountability.
Key Takeaways:
- Amplify marginalised voices: Ensure that the voices of those most affected are heard and centered in decision-making.
- Dismantle systemic barriers: Break down the barriers that hinder progress and equity, whether in the military, sports, or business.
- Lead with empathy: Cultivate workplace cultures that prioritize empathy, respect and inclusion.
- Data-Driven DEI: Use data to shape DEI strategies, measure success and stay accountable.
The “Doing Inclusion Differently” event was a wake-up call to move from symbolic gestures to real and ever lasting change.
Are you interested in exploring how we help you do this? Write to us today at hello@serein.in.
Together, we can create a world where inclusion isn’t just a buzzword, but a reality!