Conversation from the Finding Ada Conference 2020.
Synopsis
Invoking empathy and policy for effective diversity and inclusion advocacy
The work of changing hearts and minds should begin with creating the empathetic moment. In this presentation, Red Hat’s Chief People Officer DeLisa Alexander will discuss how the organisation has advocated for greater diversity and inclusion by strategically invoking empathy to create a willingness to behave differently. Alexander will also address policy changes and stakeholders creating often-helpful pressure on organisations to get diversity and inclusion right, and how savvy diversity and inclusion practitioners can leverage these trends to deliver change for their organisations.
About DeLisa
DeLisa Alexander is executive vice president and chief people officer at Red Hat, leading the team responsible for global human resources including Red Hat University. Its mission is to be a strategic partner in acquiring, developing, and retaining talent and to enhance the Red Hat® culture and talent brand. During her tenure, the company has grown from 1,100 to 14,000+ associates and has often been recognized as one of the best places to work.
Founder of the Women’s Leadership Community at Red Hat, Alexander received a 2018 Triangle Business Journal C-Suite Award and a 2015 Stevie Women in Business Award for her efforts supporting women in technology. She serves as the chair of the board of directors for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board of directors for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, and a member of the board of advisers for both the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise and Bull City Ventures.
Alexander joined Red Hat in 2001 in the Office of General Counsel. She was responsible for equity and executive compensation, trademark, copyright, and employment matters, and advised management and the board of directors on securities and corporate governance.
Previously, Alexander worked at the Kilpatrick Stockton law firm focused on mergers, acquisitions, venture capital, and intellectual property licensing. She started her career as a judicial clerk for the Honorable William B. Chandler, chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Tara Scott is currently the Route Infrastructure Engineer for the East Midlands Route. During her 15 years with Network Rail she has worked through frontline roles including Track Section Manager (Milton Keynes) and Track Maintenance Engineer (Euston) as well as central engineering roles. Recently she successfully led a project with Network Rail Consulting in Toronto working with the Toronto Transit Commission. As well as being Chartered Engineer with IET, Tara is a fellow of the Permanent Way Institution and sits on their Academic Panel.
Joeli is the founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, an organisation which protects and supports women who encounter pregnancy and maternity discrimination and lobbies the Government for legislative change. 54,000 women a year are pushed out of their jobs for getting pregnant or taking maternity leave and 77% of working mums encounter some form of discrimination in the workplace. This type of discrimination is a major contributor to the gender pay gap, and via her training organisation, ‘Gendering Change’, Joeli is on a mission to make the labour market work for parents.
