Diversity and inclusion in the workplace is imperative for a sustainable, competitive and innovative company and society at large. Diversity also goes beyond the outward perception of a company – it includes how the internal structures work and signal the value systems of an organization’s management or leadership team.
This series is designed by Diversify to centre Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. We look forward to seeing you!
Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Creating a Human-centric Hybrid Work Environment
Technology has been a saviour during the last two years, allowing us to continue to work, learn and stay connected.
However, the online platforms, like zoom and teams, were not designed to replicate the working environment in every regard. They lack a space for casual human interactions, kitchen talk and the opportunity to feel the energy in the room. Subtle body language is also often lost, impacting how we receive and interpret information.
Furthermore, like humans, these platforms were not prepared for our sudden and oftentimes complete transition to remote working in early 2020. With the instant increase in use, has there been the opportunity to humanize the way in which these systems operate? And have we made a conscious effort to change the way we use and communicate to one another on these platforms?
In many cases, hybrid working is here to stay, and there are many benefits. Accessibility, efficiency, and increased opportunities to collaborate across geographic distances, to name a few. So how can we centre people in hybrid working environments to ensure that diversity and inclusion continue to be upheld and developed?
During this edition of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace we will look at the experiences of those coming from across organisational structures and varying stages of business development. We will discuss strategies to ingrain best practices for the future of hybrid work to ensure to incorporate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging values. Join us!
Sumeet Singh Patpatia (he/him)
Sumeet Singh Patpatia is Schibsted´s first Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. He has a Master of Science in Business and a Major in Economics from the Norwegian School of Business (BI) and broad experience from multinational companies, working with innovation and transformation. In addition, he has a long experience building diversity in society. He has established and led the organization Young Sikhs and the annual event “The Norwegian Turban Day”. He sits on the board of Impact Norway, is a member of the council for religious and life stance communities in Norway and is a deputy member of the Council for Multicultural Minorities in Oslo, appointed by Oslo City Council.
Norbert Stuger (he/him)
Norbert Stuger is the Head of Talent, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at The Economist. He has been working within Human Resources for over 20 years. He has experiences in many fields including film, retail and fashion, and the media. Within HR, Norbert has experience particularly with talent acquisition, HR Consulting and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Norbert is passionate about equipping leaders and management level with the skills they need to create spaces which are inclusive, while providing ways to retain diverse talent so that in the long run, the benefits are seen in sustainable business development and growth, but also for the individual’s wellbeing and personal and professional development.
Norbert wears many hats. In addition to his official role, he is currently building 2 fashion brands. Norbert has a degree in Fine arts and animation and is also a painter and sculptor. To mix it up even more, he volunteers as a soccer coach, where he holds level 1 certification.
Chisom Udeze (she/her)
Chisom is an Economist, Organizational Design and DEI Strategist, and a 3 times founder with over 12 years of experience working with organizations like the European Commission, The United Nations and ExxonMobil. Chisom has an analytical mind and works to interrogate the cross-sectoral relationship between society’s resources, production, distribution and output. She is adept at efficiently and effectively unlocking complex systems, data management, forecasting economic and social trends, and thrives in uncertain environments.
As the founder of Diversify, Chisom works with companies, governments and civil society to facilitate measurable diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace and society. In 2020, mid-pandemic, she founded HerSpace, a diverse and inclusive co-creation community for all genders, with particular focus on women-led companies and mothers. She is a thought-leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness.
Moderator:
Zuzana Warden (she/her)
Zuzana has a professional background in social work, international development cooperation and project management. Her experience from working with marginalized groups stretches across a number of countries. Besides volunteering with various groups such as homeless people and marginalized members of the Roma minority, she coordinated inclusive empowerment projects aiming to support women and persons with disabilities from rural and slum areas via training in entrepreneurship and vocational skills. As a Project and Research Manager at Diversify she continues to broaden her expertise within organizational work and operation, with high focus on monitoring and evaluation and project management.
