Diversify

Women's Circle
2022-09-19 18:00 - 20:00 (Europe/Oslo) | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Women’s Circle is a non judgmental, gently facilitated listening and support group for women to hold space and show up for ourselves and each other. The session is an opportunity to find stillness, connection and solidarity; a space to speak your truth, if you feel moved to and process what is present in you. Inspired by peer counselling approaches and Brigid Russell’s Spaces for Listening, the format provides equal opportunity for all who want to share what is on their mind and in their heart.
We invite you to make S P A C E and find sanctuary in compassionate connection, to benefit from the wisdom of other women by witnessing their stories, pains and triumphs. Women’s Circle is a unique and rare space to let go of the identity veils we maintain, to come exactly as you are and connect with people that empathise with your situation and hold space for your unique set of circumstances and experiences. You are invited to share as much or as little as you wish, or just listen to others.
The session will be gently facilitated and will include poems, prose and other offerings to guide discussion and support reflection.
Women’s Circle is held at HerSpace (Strandgata 19, 0152 Oslo) where there will be opportunity to stay and chat after the session, with warm tea by candlelight.
When you leave this session we hope you will feel nurtured and lifted in your spirit. We look forward to seeing you.
** Please note that in order to create a safe and supportive space, we will “close the doors” and begin promptly at 18:05. Please arrive on time. **

Cost: NOK100
**This event is free for HerSpace members.**
Maximum attendees: 12
We want this event to be accessible to all. If your financial situation is preventing you from attending this event, please email nikki@herspace.no.

Selena Støback
Selena Støback is a mental health innovation advocate and women’s rights activist, with a background in driving policy and systems change through radical collaboration and capacity building. Selena is a trained peer counsellor, qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor, and a long serving active listener with Samaritans UK. Selena values deep listening and dialogue as the best way to solve problems.

Women in Leadership: Sudipa Chakraborty
2022-09-14 08:00 - 17:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

About The Speaker: Sudipa Chakraborty

Sudipa Chakraborty is the Project Lead of JobbAsker, a diversity and inclusion project in Asker municipality, Norway. Through her unwavering commitment and thought leadership, she works toward creating a sustainable and inclusive society which has room for everyone. As a diversity and inclusion champion, she empowers people to realize their full potential, influences leaders to think out of the box, and collaborates with companies to work towards UNs Sustainability Development goals in the space of equality, decent work and economic growth.
With close to 15 years of international experience in storytelling and cross-cultural communication from global companies like Microsoft, CGI and the BBC, among others, Sudipa is committed to using the power of storytelling to bring about a positive change in society.

This is a hybrid event.
Cost
In-person: 150NOK (includes light refreshments)
Online: 100NOK
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Diversify and Africa Connect.

Diversify Nordics Summit
2022-08-26 07:30 - 17:00 | Scandic Holmenkollen, Kongeveien 26,, Oslo, 0787, Norway
Our sister organisation, Diversify, is organising the first-ever conference on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging that brings together stakeholders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Now more than ever, there’s a need to:
– create inclusive and human-centric hybrid workplace environments to recruit and build productive and efficient teams.
– ensure a collective Nordic society that is inclusive of all its inhabitants across social systems and structures.
The DNS is a meeting place for practitioners in the Nordics to share their work and discuss themes across diversity parameters including but not limited to gender, ethnicity, religion, neurodiversity, race, sexual orientation, identity, disability, age and other topics relevant to the priorities that intersect with the workplace and society at large. Engage in this full-day event that addresses current challenges in the Nordics, and gain insight into practical, impactful and measurable solutions.

JOIN US TO EXCHANGE IDEAS, EXPLORE SOLUTIONS TO DEIB RELATED CHALLENGES IN THE WORKPLACE AND SOCIETY. LEARN ACTIONABLE BEST PRACTICES TO IMPLEMENT TODAY.
Book your tickets here

Why attend the summit?
Join the first-ever Nordic-wide DEIB conference that gathers practitioners, leaders and companies to:
Get Targeted Insights

Attract and retain visibly diverse talents
Gain and share innovative ideas, insights & best practices
Improve your employer brand
Understand your customer better
Focus on the issues & solutions
Strategies to navigate workplace culture

Build Network

Learn & network with people in your field
Meet thought-leaders & industry experts
Make new connections & grow your network
Collaborate with industry leaders, DEIB practitioners & enthusiasts
Unlock diverse viewpoints
Decrease your diverse talent shortage

Be Inspired

Be inspired by best practices you can implement today
Springboard cultural & sustainable change at your workplace
Make better decisions & drive high performing teams
Expose yourself to bold ideas & exciting projects
Break out of your comfort zone
Learn something new

Who Should Attend?
C-Level Executives including but not limited to:

Chief Executive Officers
Chief Marketing Officers
Chief Diversity Officers
Chief Financial Officers
Chief Operating Officers
Chief Sustainability Officers

Vice Presidents and Directors of:

Sustainability
Human Resources
People & Talent Management
Operations
Sales & Partnerships

Professionals with responsibility for:

Diversity & Inclusion
Employee Relations & Engagement
Global Business, Ethics & Compliance
Learning and Development
Organization Culture
Talent Acquisition
DEIB practitioners, consultants, service providers & enthusiasts
All-level employees, job-seekers, students and individuals with an interest in DEIB
Policy makers, politicians, media personnel, journalists, writers, civil society, cross-sectoral NGOs

Cross-Cultural Soirée
2022-07-07 18:00 - 20:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Join us for an evening soiree to celebrate the multiculturalism and diversity that surrounds us.

There will be food from different cultures, entertainment and discussions around our orange couch on allyship and cross-cultural communication.
Speakers and performers to be announced soon!
This event is being held in collaboration with Manifold and Stiftelsen RKF.
This event is FREE to attend.

About the Speakers
Mona Frank (she/her)
Mona is a social and cultural psychologist, the co-founder of Manifold Norway, and currently completing her second master’s degree in Social Anthropology, researching the Norwegian integration system with a focus on refugee politics. She was previously engaged as board member in the African Student Association at UiO. For several years, Mona has planned and arranged a wide range of seminars, anti-racism campaigns, lectures, solidarity events, and panel discussions addressing schemes related to the African diaspora in Norway.
In 2020, she was one of the main organizers of the “We can’t breathe: Justice for George Floyd” BLM demonstration in Oslo, as well as a series of events within the topics of racism, Islamophobia etc. This year, she has been assisting the initiative Noir Society (in Munich, Germany) in coordinating and providing humanitarian support for POC refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. Through her academic learning and her engagement in antiracist environments, Mona has grown to gain a deeper understanding of both theoretical and practical manifestations of racism and discrimination, prejudice, and intercultural communication. Mona practices allyship by emphasizing social justice, inclusion, and equity as well as continuing to learn, listen, and practice solidarity through her work and civic engagement.
Nikki Hayes (she/her)
Nikki is a development practitioner who is passionate about creating conscious and responsible communities. Nikki is analytical, energetic and creative in her work. She completed her Masters of International Development with a practical focus on participatory forms of development at RMIT University, Melbourne. She has experience working with immigrant and asylum seeker communities which where she began to develop curiosity and skill in diversity and inclusion, cultural intelligence and cross-cultural communication. She continues working within these areas at Diversify, where she project manages various events, discussions and initiatives.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: LGBTQIA+
2022-06-22 13:00 - 15:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
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: LGBTQIA+
June is Pride Month, a month dedicated to uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices, celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture and supporting LGBTQIA+ rights. It commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of justice, equity and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community.
LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive acronym that describes either a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex, asexual/aromantic/agender, pansexual, and allies.
Gender identity describes a person’s internal sense of being female, male, or someone outside of that gender binary, while sexual orientation refers to ‘a person’s sexual and emotional attraction to another person and the behavior and/or social affiliation that may result from this attraction.’
People from the LGBTQIA+ community face discrimination and hate regularly in their personal lives, workplaces and in public spaces. Furthermore, the intersectionality of traits such as race, ethnicity, religion can influence their experience and lead to discrimination on multiple fronts. In the workplace, they’re subjected to microaggressions like being asked inappropriate questions and hearing homophobic jokes and comments. Conscious and unconscious bias can prevent them from being hired or getting a promotion or opportunity at work. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals feel the need to hide their identity in the workplace for fear of discrimination, which causes high levels of stress, anxiety and other mental health issues among them.
During this session of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace, we will discuss how workplaces and organisations can create a genuinely inclusive culture for LGBTQIA+ employees. On an individual level, using pronouns in email signatures, on social media profiles, and stating them in meetings, being mindful of using gender neutral language and calling out discriminatory behaviours are some of the ways to be active allies.
For companies, using gender neutral language, diverse visuals on the website and options beyond male and female on the job application can help attract a more diverse workforce, while including anti-discrimination and harassment policies that address sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination can help retain this workforce.
In this session, we will discuss

How can we ensure that workplaces have strong inclusive policies and practices in place?
How can they attract, successfully recruit and retain LGBTQIA+ talent?
How can companies create a safe environment for employees of all sexualities and gender expressions to reveal as much or as little as they want?
How can we, as individuals, be active allies to the LGBTQIA+ community?

Join us to explore these questions and many more.

This event is FREE to attend. Please register below to receive the zoom link.

About the speakers:

Chi Lee (they/them/theirs)
Chi is a practicing artist with over two decades of design/build experience, working with global retail companies such as Tiffany & Co., Ralph Lauren, Reed Krakoff, Tommy Hilfiger, and others. They are currently the resident carpenter of the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York, focused on curating more accessible and inclusive experiences with art and culture through the built environment. Presently, Chi is completing their Masters Degree in Museum Studies at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Hannah Christin Lerfaldet (she/her)

Hannah is a diversity advisor and project manager at Vi er OSS. She is especially passionate about LGBTQIA+, diversity and mental health, and holds a masters degree in equality and diversity, from NTNU, Trondheim.
In addition to being the head of Trondheim Pride in 2018 and 2019, one of the biggest pride festivals in Norway, she has in recent years developed a chat service for young adults for Youth Mental Health Norway. When she’s not working, Hannah runs her own podcast about mental health.
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.

Women in Leadership: Anne Omholt
2022-06-08 18:00 - 19:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

About The Speaker: Anne Omholt
Anne is the PA to the CEO of Telenor Digital. She spent 24 years in the Telco industry and has reinvented herself over and over within the Telco environment. As a Portal Manager for the Intranet for Telenor Broadcast, she was responsible for internal communication. In her current role at Telenor Digital, she plans and ensures successful implementation of development and management activities for the management team and organization.
She is a relationship builder and believes that empowering employees and co-workers leads to increased productivity and instills a sense of pride. She is comfortable switching between strategic and operational thinking. She has a strong ability to execute work with a diversity, equality and inclusion lens. She is a lifelong learner and has experience from various industries and roles.

This is a hybrid event.
Cost
In-person: 150NOK (includes light refreshments)
Online: 100NOK
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Diversify and Africa Connect.

Sharing the Power: Measurable practices to amplify DEIB initiatives.
2022-05-18 12:00 - 13:30
Blaze Inclusion Awards presents:
Sharing the Power: Measurable practices to amplify DEIB initiatives.
Panel Discussion #3

How can we ‘share the power’ to ensure that diverse voices, and particularly voices of people of minority and marginalised groups are heard and amplified? How can DEIB initiatives be measured to ensure lasting, conscious and positive impact? Moreover, how can DEIB initiatives further create an enabling environment that bridges the inequality and inequity gap across intersections?
The previous panel discussion (in March) explored ‘Including diverse voices in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging process’. To build on this discussion, it is important to assess the next steps – how exactly can we include diverse voices? How do we get them in the rooms where decisions are made, and how can we ensure that DEIB initiatives are conscious and inclusive?
During this event, we will speak with five DEIB practitioners who represent each of the participating countries.
More information on the panelists coming soon.
In the meantime, register your participation below.
The Blaze Inclusion Awards are an initiative by Diversify, and co-produced by HerSpace and The Annual.

The Blaze Inclusion Awards celebrate and illuminate the trailblazers – individuals and organizations – who actively and passionately uplift Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives in their workspaces, communities and society overall. With a focus on the Nordic region, the Blaze Awards highlight the champions in each country and finally give recognition to the outstanding individuals and organisations whose practices within the DEIB agenda shine beyond borders.

We are currently in the nomination phase of the Blaze Inclusion Awards!
Do you know a company or individual who is doing outstanding work to further DEIB? You can nominate them here. There are six different categories to choose from: The Trailblazer, The Catalyst, The Synergist, The Guardian, The Spark and The Groundbreaker.
Each category seeks to shine a light on a different area, from individual practitioners, to workplaces, to those working with innovation, the media, community engagement and the environment.

Finland: Kamilla Sultanova

Kamilla is a bridge-builder, public speaker and diversity and inclusion expert, mother and mentor based in Helsinki, Finland.
Previously Kamilla has held a successful career in corporate sales in Scandinavian shipping companies including Maersk Line, where she combined her advocacy roles in European women’s lobby and local Danish and Finnish NGO to support access to job market for immigrants and international talents. Combining her business and non-profit expertise from Global Dignity NGO, Kamilla speaks to and trains executives, students and educators on benefits of diverse teams in organizational innovation and growth for small and large, public and private employers.
Kamilla was born in Karshi, Uzbekistan. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Corporate Communication from Aarhus University in Denmark.

ity
Denmark: Jessica Pedraza
Jessica Bridgette Pedraza’s educational and professional background has heavily centred on addressing the inequities facing under-resourced communities and dismantling inequity and prejudice through different mediums such as educational inclusion and strengthen-based research. Recently, she has used her qualitative and quantitative skills have allowed her to help organizations co-create working environments that move diversity, equity, and inclusion forward for employees worldwide.

This event is FREE to attend. Please register HERE to receive the zoom link.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Neurodiversity
2022-04-20 13:00 - 15:00
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: Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits. (Harvard Health)
The word neurodiversity refers to differences within ALL people. However, it is often used to refer to those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities, where differences in behaviour and learning can be more apparent.
During this session of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace we will explore how workplaces, recruiters and we as individuals in our everyday interactions can become more aware of neurodiversity. By making conscious “accommodations”, neurodivergant people can be better included. With this awareness of neurodivergant ways of learning and behaving, neurodiversity can be accepted and celebrated, rather than excluded.
These accommodations can be things such as:

the way we communicate (avoiding sarcasm, euphemisms, and implied messages)
paying attention to what words you use (person first language)
the set up of a workplace to be considerate of sound sensitivity and movement (allowing regular breaks or the use of fidget toys, for example)

Join us to hear from our panelists about their lived experience and to learn what can be done to create a more inclusive workplace and society.

This event is FREE to attend. Please register HERE to receive the zoom link.

Panelists
Rune-André Tveit (he/him)

Rune-André is an entrepreneurial minded person with a passion for sharing his knowledge and experience. Rune has started Excalibur Startup Academy which aims to democratize knowledge on entrepreneurship by offering webcourses, coaching and workshops. Their webcourse Grunderformelen, which is a fully self paced online course, consists of twelve modules on a variety of topics which will give aspiring entrepreneurs the tools they need to execute their ideas. In the course you will learn from entrepreneurs, investors, consultants and people that teach business.
At the age of seven, Rune was diagnosed as dyslectic. This became a negative label for him all throughout school, and because of it he had to work twice as hard! But at the age 30 he realized he had been wrongly diagnosed as a kid, as he realized he had ADHD. That’s when things fell in to place and things got easier. In this session he’ll share his perspectives on the importance of Neurodiversity.

Nesceda Blake (she/her)
Nesceda Blake is an autistic woman and performing arts producer from Melbourne, Australia. She endeavours to create positive change in the world around her by sharing her neurodivergent experiences.
Her posts and article on LinkedIn have received over 900,000 views, with thousands of individuals learning how to make the working world a better place for neurodivergent people. Nesceda has also begun speaking with employers, entrepreneurs and recruiters to spread the word about neuro-inclusivity, and challenges businesses to rethink how diversity and inclusion practices can achieve actual equity.
Nesceda currently works as a Senior Officer, Student Theatre and Engagement at La Trobe University, where she gets to share her passion for the arts with emerging student creatives.

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.

Women's Circle
2022-04-19 18:00 - 20:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Women’s Circle is a non judgmental, gently facilitated listening and support group for women to hold space and show up for ourselves and each other. The session is an opportunity to find stillness, connection and solidarity; a space to speak your truth, if you feel moved to and process what is present in you. Inspired by peer counselling approaches and Brigid Russell’s Spaces for Listening, the format provides equal opportunity for all who want to share what is on their mind and in their heart.
We invite you to make S P A C E and find sanctuary in compassionate connection, to benefit from the wisdom of other women by witnessing their stories, pains and triumphs. Women’s Circle is a unique and rare space to let go of the identity veils we maintain, to come exactly as you are and connect with people that empathise with your situation and hold space for your unique set of circumstances and experiences. You are invited to share as much or as little as you wish, or just listen to others.
The session will be gently facilitated and will include poems, prose and other offerings to guide discussion and support reflection. There will be an opportunity to stay and chat after the session, with warm tea by candlelight.
When you leave this session we hope you will feel nurtured and lifted in your spirit. We look forward to seeing you.
** Please note that in order to create a safe and supportive space, we will “close the doors” and begin promptly at 18:05. Please arrive on time. **

Cost: NOK100. You can buy ticket HERE.
**This event is free for HerSpace members.**
Maximum attendees: 12
We want this event to be accessible to all. If your financial situation is preventing you from attending this event, please email nikki@herspace.no.

Selena Støback
Selena Støback is a mental health innovation advocate and women’s rights activist, with a background in driving policy and systems change through radical collaboration and capacity building. Selena is a trained peer counsellor, qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor, and a long serving active listener with Samaritans UK. Selena values deep listening and dialogue as the best way to solve problems.

Diverse Founders and Entrepreneurs
2022-03-30 17:30 - 19:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Are you an entrepreneur of immigrant or minority background?

Would you like to take part in a conversation to outline, challenge and find solutions to barriers that stand in the way of establishing and growing your business?

We would like to welcome you to join us.
This event aims to gather people and share experiences with regards to starting your own business in Norway as an immigrant or person or minority background.
We are interested in exploring topics such as access to resources and mentorship, securing finances and funding, business development opportunities, and other structural barriers that diverse entrepreneurs face, such as endorsement within, and support by the Norwegian society.

The program for the evening is as follows:

17:30-18:00- Panel discussion with guest speakers- to be announced soon!
18:00-18:45- Group experience sharing and conversation.
18:45-19:00- Networking and mingling.

This event is developed in collaboration with Chr. Michelsens Institute (CMI) Bergen who are conducting a research project on Muslim immigrant entrepreneurs in Norway and financing gaps: https://www.cmi.no/projects/2579-the-invisible-ceiling.

Attendance at this event is free of charge.
The event will be delivered in hybrid- online via zoom and in-person at HerSpace.
Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided.

Beyond the Binary Gender: Transgender Inclusion
2022-03-30 08:00 - 10:30 | Bull & Co, Universitetsgata 9, Oslo, 0164
International Transgender Day; India is leading the way!
Millions have watched Pose on HBO. In India, people don’t watch! Government acts! While recognition of genders outside of male and female has only recently been discussed in Western societies, in the Indian society, people of non-binary gender expressions have played important roles for over 2000 years.
India’s Supreme Court has ruled that transgender people are created as a third gender in the country. The decision is seen as a milestone in India. This was the first time in world history that a Supreme Court recognizes transgender people as a separate gender.
Diversity campaigns and Pride flagging notwithstanding: Research indicates that it is difficult to be a trans person in working environments. According to the report “Sexual orientation, gender diversity and living conditions” from 2021, transgender people stand out in terms of mental health, life satisfaction and experiences of discrimination. Transgender rights matters!
We are excited to share that we will have Miriam Hardarson as one of our speakers.

Schedule:
08.00 Welcome by Hans Geelmuyden by Chair DMI
08.05 India´s Supreme Court establishes third gender category. How did this happen? Speaker: Laxmi Singh, Deputy Country Representative – UN Women, India
08.20 Meaningful Inclusion starts from the Bathroom to the Boardroom – Speaker: Celia Sandhya Daniels, Trans Evangelist & Human Rights Activist
08.50 Cracking the glass ceiling – Speaker: Miriam Hardarson, Agency Director Sopria Steria
09.10 Lessons to be learned for Norway Lars Arnesen, Lawyer and Compliance Officer at Dignio
09.20 Q&A Miriam Hardarson and Chisom Udeze, Founder, Diversify
09.45 Mingling
10.30 End
*There might be changes in the program
This is a free event. To attend, register below.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Creating a Human-centric Hybrid Work Environment
2022-03-23 13:00 - 15:00
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.

Women in Leadership: Shine Theory
2022-02-17 18:00 - 19:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

Join us to hear Chisom Udeze and Sarah Przedpelska discuss Shine Theory.

Shine Theory, developed by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, is described as the practice of mutual investment in each other. Shine Theory represents an intentional commitment to collaborate with and support each other instead of competing with each other.
Rather than engage in insecurity, Shine Theory encourages us to come into our power and have the confidence to be excited and supportive of someone else’s success. It embodies the attitude of “I don’t shine if you don’t shine.” It’s a practice of cultivating a spirit of genuine happiness and excitement when your friends are doing well, and being there for them when they aren’t. When we find ways to elevate each other and help each other thrive, it becomes contagious.
This is the second time we take on this topic, and in the 17 months since out last discussion, A LOT has changed.
This conversation will explore what builds energy, how we support one another in rebuilding or reinventing in a pandemic world and how we navigate our human capacity in times of scarcity.

This discussion will run from 18:00-19:00, and for those who attend in-person, from 19:00-19:30 you will have the opportunity mingle and network.
Cost:
In-person: 150NOK
Online: 100NOK
This event is free or discounted for HerSpace members.

About our speakers:
Chisom Udeze
Chisom Udeze, according to Sarah Przedpelska:
“When Chisom Udeze encounters a problem that irks her, you can be certain she does not rest until something moves. She’s done it for over a decade within business development and economics, and more recently, she has been moving things in Oslo to create social impact through Diversify and HerSpace. Chisom is seldom perplexed by problems, instead she sees them as puzzles in need of new constellations. The constellations she forms depend on collaborating with others and lifting together to form synergies and new solutions. No wonder the concept of Shine Theory has such a great appeal to her.”

Sarah Przedpelska

Przedpelska is a curious, brave, warm, and brilliant individual. She approaches every situation with an open mind, and a willingness to truly learn. She sees and values people as they are. In the years I have known Sarah she has been a confidante and a force of nature who I can reach out to when I need unfiltered honesty and advice. She expects me to be better than I am, and she encourages me to aim higher. While I have practiced Shine Theory in one way or another throughout my adult life, it was with Sarah that we first decided to make it intentional. She introduced me to the concept of Shine Theory and I look forward to continuing learning from her.”

Women in Leadership: Frederikke Antonie Schmidt
2021-12-02 08:00 - 17:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

We are delighted to announce our upcoming guest of honour
Frederikke Antonie Schmidt
Frederikke Antonie Schmidt has founded Roccamore with a mission to make more women stand strong and take their place in the world.
It all started in 2014 when she decided she wanted to create a product that would make women’s lives better; she would invent a high heel that didn’t feel like torture.
Roccamore shoes are handmade in Italy by some of the world’s best shoemakers, and scientifically validated to relieve 44% of the pressure in your arch, 26% in your forefoot and 19% in your heel.
Frederikke used herself as a baseline for testing and developing the comfort, using the shoes every day and always adjusting the insole for about 2 years, until she finally had the perfect product.
Roccamore wants to make women feel good about standing up for who they are. Since the beginning Frederikke has been including her followers in the designing process, asking them what they want, making them part of the designing process, voting for new products and giving their feedback. She even names all her designs after real women, who are nominated by the people who follow her. Because every woman deserves to have a shoe named after her.
Frederikke also sits on ByFounders Collective, the Board of Representatives for Kolding Design School and as Chairman of the government’s Restart Team for Fashion & Textile.

Cost
In-person: 150NOK (includes light refreshments)
Online: 100NOK
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Diversify and Africa Connect.

Prinsens gate is becoming THE destination for female founders!
As Roccamore just became our neighbours in Prinsens gate, following the conversation at HerSpace we will wander up the street and visit their sparkling new store for a celebratory drink.
We hope you will join us!

Community Lunch
2021-11-19 11:30 - 13:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Join us to connect with a diverse and versatile community of wonderful souls, over a delicious and nutritious vegetarian food.

This time we will have Sandra Brastein in the kitchen, who as a nutritionist, has a passion for good food!
Sandra will be serving a Spicy Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Soup– a perfect way to celebrate the end of Autumn!
Sandra has worked in a broad range of areas within nutrition including individual consultations, as well as seminars, workshops and cooking demonstrations. Her focus is on providing evidence-based nutrition advice, and she specialises in the areas of gut health and the microbiota, and women’s health.
This dish is vegan and doesn’t contain any gluten.

Cost: NOK150

Max attendees: 15
**This event is free or discounted for HerSpace Members.**

Women in Leadership: Melanie Coffee
2021-10-21 18:00 - 19:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

Guest of Honour: Melanie Coffee

Melanie Coffee is a communications executive focused on sharing the best stories to bring awareness to a cause, business or product.
She is an award-winning journalist with 20 years of editorial and journalistic planning, content development and management experience across both traditional and digital media platforms. She is currently the PR and Media Relations Director at Crayon, an innovation and IT services company that focuses on the power of technology to drive the greater good.
She’s passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and is a Certified Scrum Master.

*This event is a hybrid event
** This event is free or discounted for HerSpace Members.
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Africa Connect and Diversify.
Program:
18:00-19:00- Presentation by Melanie Coffee
19:00-19:30- Networking
Cost (in-person): NOK 150
Maximum attendees: 20
Cost (online): NOK 100
The online ticket will provide you admission to the talk by Melanie from 18:00-19:00. If you would like to join the networking segment, please attend this event in-person.

ORBIT
2021-10-16 10:00 - 17:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Join us for a one day in-person immersion retreat to launch ORBIT, an inclusive community to support our personal, social and professional evolution.

Orbit is an arena for people who crave authenticity, truth and belonging. We choose a compassionate and radical acceptance of self, and in the process, we embrace and come into our collective and individual power.
The past two years has strengthened our resolve in the value of community and amplified our need to consciously create a safe kinship where we can thrive in all aspects of our lives. We created Orbit with the knowledge that flourishing isn’t always about taking a straight path to success or wellness, but about blooming where we are planted. Not without difficulty, but despite it.
Orbit encourages you to unlock your inner self: by taking space, breaking through limitations and connecting with ourselves and each other. The orbit community is supportive and uplifts its members through workshops, retreats and gatherings that center reflection, acceptance, alignment and profound joy.
As a community, Orbit is inclusive. Regardless of your identity or gender, we welcome you to come as you are, or as you would like to be.
What is included:

Introduction to the Orbit Community
Yoga and movement with Tendai Angela Rokkones
Breaking through limitations with Chisom Udeze and Lucy Mason
Taking and creating space with Selena Støback
Dropping weight – A ceremony with Chisom Udeze
Ritual and intention setting to align you with your potential
Healthy, veggie, delicious lunch
All day snacks and refreshments
Your attendance at our launch event secures your place in the Orbit community and unlocks access to further programming including ‘The Village’, ‘The Circle’ and our year-round retreats.

Cost:
Early Bird Ticket: NOK1199 until Monday 13th October
HerSpace member discount (-30%): NOK 1050
Full price: NOK1499
This event will be held in person, at HerSpace, Strandgata 19, 1512 Oslo.

The Facilitators

Chisom Udeze
Chisom Udeze is a 3x Founder, Economist, and Business Strategist. She has over 12 years of professional experience from various industries including the oil and gas, research, maritime, finance and higher education sectors. Chisom is the Founder at Diversify where she intentionally works as a Cultural Innovator and Inclusion Strategist to implement measurable change and facilitate a truly inclusive culture and environment in workplaces across the world. In 2020 (mid-pandemic), Chisom also founded HerSpace which provides the support women and women-led companies need to start their businesses, promote their brands and projects and work while caring for their children. Chisom is a thought leader within Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness and building a strong and resilient community through supporting personal and professional development. She works tirelessly to create space for people across personal, professional and societal structures. Chisom’s can-do, take a plunge and learn by doing approach is inspiring, and her many achievements are testament to her resilience and courage.

Selena Støback
Selena Støback is a senior social impact and mental health innovation consultant and women’s rights activist, with a background in driving policy and systems change through radical collaboration and capacity building. Selena was identified as an emerging leader of the NFP sector by AMEX/Common Purpose early in her career and went on to work within civil society organising and social model mental health interventions; working with governments across Europe to innovate public policy and in Asia Pacific within advocacy, programmes and feminist movement building. Selena currently consults for INGO’s and social impact start-ups to support them to raise and maximise funding, meet the needs of their beneficiaries and secure sustainable futures. Selena is a trained peer counsellor, qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor, keen mindfulness student and a long serving active listener with Samaritans UK. Selena is passionate about inclusion, belonging and centering compassionate approaches to changing organisational, community and individual outcomes, for a more authentic, truthful and meaningful existence for all.

Tendai Angela Jambga-Rokkones
Tendai is a Zimbabwean born 200hr certified yoga teacher living in Trondheim, Norway; her journey into yoga began in 2003. This culminated to her work in Zimbabwe where she led workshops, classes, discussions’ and programs for diplomatic agencies, children’s homes, a film for Fashion Revolution, Tamba Africa Circus, TEDXHarare, women’s groups and her community.
Tendai believes that yoga is embodied on and off the mat as a lifestyle that is accessible to any one and by using the tools yoga prescribes one can lead a fulfilled life. Drawing from the teachings of the sutras by Patanjali, Yogananda, BKS Iyengar, David Frawley and the Bhagavad Gita Tendai weaves in ancient wisdom, self inquiry, subtle body anatomy and modern scientific research into her vinyasa, yin and yoga nidra classes that have been described by students as ‘deeply inspiring, nourishing and emotional’, ‘returning home to your self with clarity’ and ‘not simply a class but an experience that explores the whole; body, mind and soul’.

Guest Speaker

Lucy Mason
Lucy Mason has been a social justice activist for over 20 years, growing up in the heart of the inclusion movement she learnt peer counselling techniques at an early age and has gone on to strengthen the capacities of other social justice campaigners in over 20 countries, with the intention to empower people to understand their rights, their ability and their potential.
Lucy is an educator, campaigner and seasoned movement builder, she’s been challenging and disrupting oppressive structures for a life-time. Lucy founded Helping Empower Youth Activism as a young person herself, working to improve outcomes at a community level, build solidarity and affect disability and inclusion policy, particularly in UK, Bangladesh, Russia and Papua New Guinea. Lucy has made television appearances and spoken at prominent events and political rallies, she’s a skilled facilitator, public speaker, writer, counsellor, human rights advocate and ally to many.

Community Lunch
2021-10-15 11:30 - 13:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Join us to connect with a diverse and versatile community of wonderful souls, over a delicious and nutritious vegetarian food.

On the menu is:
Autumnal inspired yellow lentil dalh with accompanying beetroot and cucumber salad

Cost: NOK150

Max attendees: 15
**This event is free or discounted for HerSpace Members.**

Community Lunch
2021-09-17 11:30 - 13:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Join us to connect and share over a delicious and nutritious vegetarian food.
This month Mamma Afrika, aka Fatoumata Simaha will be filling our bellies with African inspired taste sensations!

The menu :

Domoda: Vegan Gambian Peanut Stew
Jollof Rice: a staple west African dish, packed with vegies!

Chakri: a sweet dessert made from Sorhgum millet flour.

Nut free, gluten free and lactose free options will be available.

This event is free for HerSpace Members.
Cost: NOK150
Max attendees: 15

Community Lunch
2021-08-20 11:30 - 13:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
It is with great excitement that we announce the return of Community Lunch!
Join us to connect and share over a delicious and nutritious vegetarian food.
Using her own curry paste, Cassey will serve a Sweet potato, Brocolli and Cauliflower curry with jasmine rice and raita (yogurt and cucumber).
This event is free for HerSpace Members.
Cost: NOK150
Max attendees: 15

Women in Leadership: Stine Sofie Grindheim
2021-08-19 18:00 - 19:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

Stine Sofie Grindheim
Stine Sofie got her first leader-role in 2014. She was 24 years old and was set to lead a team of 7 men that were all older than her. She has worked in finance all ten years of her career and has some insights on both leadership and being a woman in an industry dominated by men. From working in the largest financial services groups in Norway, DNB Markets, she shifted and started working for one of the smallest, Dealflow. Stine Sofie is now the CEO of the largest equity crowdfunding platform and talks to several hundred startup each year. Since she became CEO of Dealflow in march 2020 (imagine that as a start date), she has helped raise about 200 million kroner for startups and scaleups, 22 % of this has been raised for female founders.

Some of the questions she is interested in discussing with you are:

Do male dominated industries lead to hostile environments for women?
Are we more aware that we are women than our male colleagues are?
Who is holding us back and what can we do to affect this?

Cost: NOK150
*This event is free for HerSpace Members*
This event will be held in-person at HerSpace.
This event is co-produced by HerSpace and Africa Connect.

Women in Leadership: Leïla Rezzouk
2021-06-17 18:00 - 19:30
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

Cost: NOK150
*This event is free for HerSpace Members*
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Africa Connect and Diversify

Leïla Rezzouk
Leïla is a brilliant and unapologetic champion for measures across societal structures that have inclusion and integration in focus. A nurse by training, she has broad experience from multicultural work with children and adults through various positions: Founder and General Manager of Papillon, Co-founder of Support not Protect & Public speaker. She moved to Norway and Bergen 14 years ago, and is of French-Moroccan descent.
She considers her cross-cultural background and immigrant status as an important resource as it has helped strengthen her identity and genuine belief in each human being and their unique resources. Leila is positive, solution-oriented and a relationship builder. She enjoys creating results with others, while not being afraid to take responsibility.
Leila is involved in a number of organizations and committees with the focus on immigrants and minority groups. Among other things, she is a member of the resource group for diversity and inclusion in the Bergen Business Council and was jury member for the Diversity Award. She wants to promote her commitment through her work in Papillon which is based on basic values: Love, Empowerment, Equity and Self-Determination.

Women in Leadership: Dora Poni Loro
2021-05-06 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for Women in Leadership with Dora Poni Loro!
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

Cost: NOK150
*This event is free for HerSpace Members*
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Africa Connect and Diversify

About Dora

Dora is a Social Worker with experience in Trauma-Informed Care, disclosure of sexual abuse in children and young people, and a master’s degree in Child Welfare.
She is employed in the Child Welfare Services for unaccompanied refugee minors in Bergen Municipality, is Board Chair of Papillon Bergen, and Founder of Vestland Kryskulturell Brobyggertjeneste. Dora is also engaged in various boards and NGOs.
In 2013, Dora was awarded the Top 10 immigrants Award by Leadership Foundation and in 2010, she was awarded the ” Woman in Focus ” Award by Positive Education, for her dedication and work with immigrant women in Bergen.
Dora is a mother of two and a proud South Sudanese. She is a passionate social activist who advocates for youth, women empowerment, cross-cultural parenting, migration challenges and active participation and representation of minorities in the Norwegian society.
Dora stands firm in love, dignity, empowerment and full potential for herself and others. She is an enabler, and she lives to pave the way and create space for others. She is a transformational leader who uses her voice to plead for, negotiate and demand change. She strongly believes that we need no titles to be called leaders.

Women in Leadership: Lenka Hlinková
2021-04-08 18:00 - 19:30
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.
*This event is free for HerSpace Members*
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Africa Connect and Diversify

Lenka Hlinková

Lenka graduated from the University of Economics in Bratislava. During her studies, she started her own e-commerce project and co-founded the startup e-styler that gathered fashion and accessories from various European e-shops on one platform with a single check-out. Later, she worked in an international Telco company as a Project Manager and within her 14 years experience in Tech, she also worked as a Software Development Business Analyst, Team Leader and UX Designer. She lived 2 years in London working on digital projects for prestigious clients such as Audi and Westfield Shopping Centers.
Lenka is the author of the first Slovak motivational and educational book for women interested in Tech called Female Algorithm. Since 2018, she has been working with non-profit organizations motivating girls and women within Tech and in 2020 founded her own non-profit with the same aim, named after her book. With a team of 14 members, they help women to achieve their full career potential, provide consultancy in diversity and inclusion issues and teach women and girls technical skills. In 2019, she co-founded an IT company providing long-term internships to people willing to enter technology sector and became the national leader of the Lean In Initiative in Slovakia founded by Sheryl Sanberg (Facebook COO). Lenka cooperates with Google for the third year as a Google Certified Trainer for Online Security.

Women in Leadership: Miriam Nabunya
2021-03-11 18:00 - 19:30
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every month. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.

Miriam Nabunya
Miriam is the founder and managing director of Nabunya AS, a production company dedicated to serving professional organizers, management and agents by offering tailor-made services in project and process management, short or long term consultant services as well as stage and producer services.
Miriam has worked with some of the leading TV production companies, festivals and events companies in Norway. Her 18 years’ experience and background in Arts Management (Norway), Hospitality and Leadership (Sweden, France & Norway) and the Ugandan heritage, contribute to her high EQ level.
Miriam loves systematic inventive thinking (SIT) and the strategic planning of complex projects, at this point of her life, it’s become a lifestyle.
While managing and building Nabunya AS, Miriam also works as a transformation mindset coach because she truly believes that we can train our minds to achieve and overcome whatever roadblocks we meet in life. Through her transformational life and mindset coaching, she develops talks, programs and tools that equip ambitious individuals and leaders to transform their mindset for personal and professional success and finally dare to, unapologetically, step into the life they truly desire.
**This event is free for HerSpace Members**
This event is co-produced by HerSpace, Africa Connect and Diversify.

Women in Leadership: Rometris Davis-Wright
2021-02-11 18:00 - 19:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
Join us for this session of Women in Leadership with Rometris Davis-Wright!
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping women advance in their social, personal and professional lives. We have designed the Women in Leadership series in collaboration with Africa Connect, as a way to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of women. Our featured women speakers have diverse backgrounds, have reached milestones in their careers, and have made an impact in their industry and communities. We all benefit when stories of challenges and wins are shared. We offer their stories, knowledge and insights to help empower you in your own journey.
Women in Leadership is a recurring event that will feature an inspirational female leader every two weeks. If you would like to nominate a woman in your network as a way to honor her work, please reach out so our collection can grow with our community.
Cost: NOK150
*Free for HerSpace members.*

About Rometris
Rometris is an international motivational speaker, teacher, mentor, life coach and author with over 20 years of experience and extensive study in personal self-development and healing with a strong background in leadership. Her passion also includes public speaking engagements that address living an inspired life of authenticity, empowerment and confidence. Rometris has helped inspire and transform the lives of thousands of clients internationally, from many different walks of life and backgrounds and offers in-person, 1-1 and online events and consultations.

Women in Leadership: Nikol Mard
2021-01-28 18:00 - 19:30 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
At HerSpace, we are proud to be part of a collective and necessary effort to be active participants in helping people, especially women, advance in their social, personal and professional lives.

For this reason, we have designed this series in collaboration with Africa Connect, as one of the ways to support their growth. This is a recurring event. Every two weeks, you will hear from a female leader who will share her professional and/or personal story, experience, knowledge, insights and/or advice. You will also connect with others and grow your network.

Our special guest of honour for this session is Nikol Mard. Nikol is the founder of Network for Work (NFW), project that empowers highly educated and skilled internationals to create and find meaningful, relevant work opportunities. Prior to starting NFW, Nikol spent two years researching integration of immigrants in Norway from a gender perspective. Her longstanding passion for equality and empowerment combined with her own experience as a trailing spouse in Norway fueled her passion in establishing the organization and its community.
Nikol also works as a Learning Expert at Yara International, contributing to the company’s transition to a future-ready business through supporting its employees in realizing their full potential.

Event Details

Please RSVP to join this event.
If you would like to support HerSpace, you may select the Donation ticket to make a contribution. Thank you for your support!

Kundalini Fusion Workshop
2020-12-19 10:00 - 12:00 | HerSpace, Strandgata 19, Oslo, 0152, Norway
This event will take place on Saturday, December 19th.
Kundalini Fusion is an energizing and strengthening class, as well as being a physical approach to reaching a tranquil, meditative mind. You will learn different breathing techniques and Kundalini exercises that you can practice on your own for an efficient energy shot, or to reach a deep, meditative state.
Kundalini Fusion is built up as a dynamic flow class, fused with elements from Kundalini. Kundalini is a style of yoga characterised by repetitive movements coupled with a specific breath. This awakens the energy body in a unique way so you can access deeper parts of yourself and build new neural pathways.
These workshops are a simple way to explore Kundalini yoga both for those new to Kundalini and for those needing a revival in their existing practice. You get both the physical benefits of a dynamic flow, as well as the more direct meditative/spiritual effects from Kundalini.
Iris Straume teaches Kundalini Fusion originally created by her teacher Vidya J. Heisel, but the class sequence is Iris’ own. Heisel created what she called Kundalini Fusion as a more playful approach to the method, freed from the strict doctrines. Through Kundalini Fusion the healing properties of Kundalini is conveyed in a modern and accessible way. Come and learn for yourself!
Attending one 2 hour workshop is a great introduction to the practice.
Attending all three workshops will better integrate the practice in your life if you wish to practice it on your own.
About Iris
Iris started practicing yoga at the age of 19. She has explored a myriad of different styles, and most of her training is in the dynamic styles of yoga. Ashtanga has been her main practice for many years, and in recent years Kundalini yoga and meditation has become important ingredients in her practice. Iris has taught yoga for six years, and full time since 2018. She teaches weekly classes at Hiyoga, as well as workshops, trainings, and retreats. Her practice and teachings are based on the principle that there are several paths leading to the same end, and that is liberation through dedicated, sustained practice. The specific style and method of practice might look different for each individual. Besides yoga, Iris is passionate about kitesurfing, wave surfing, and being in nature.
Training:
RYT 200 Ashtanga Vinyasa with Global Yoga Shala
RYT 300 Ashtanga Vinyasa with Hiyoga/Basia L. Larsen
50H Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Alexandra Atterbrand
RYT 150 Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Frog Lotus Yoga
Shorter trainings/ immersions:
Ashtanga immersions with Mark Robberts & Deepika Mehta, and Gregor Maehle
Yoga philosophy with Mark Stephens
Therapeutic yoga in mental health work with Kari Lorentzen
Jivamukti immersion with Yogeswari
Kundalini Tantra with Uma Inder
Handstand trainings

Cost:
Single Workshop: NOK400
Max attendees: 10

*To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, we are taking precautions to keep participants safe and decrease exposure to the virus.
Before attending this event, please be aware of the following rules:

Only participants who have purchased a ticket beforehand are able to attend, in order to help us ensure having a safe number of people in our space at any time.
Please wash your hands or use antibacterial solution for at least 20 secs when you arrive at HerSpace.
Please keep a minimum of 1-meter distance to all persons and wear a mask when that is not possible.
Shared equipment, including yoga mats, paint brushes, toys, will be disinfected directly after use. However, we encourage you to bring your own materials if possible.
Please be safe and stay at home if you feel unwell. Send us an email and your ticket can be applied to another upcoming event.

#IamRemarkable: A Google Initiative Empowering Women
2020-11-26 18:00 - 19:30
We are excited to invite you to attend the #IamRemarkable workshop.
#IamRemarkable is a Google initiative empowering women and underrepresented groups to speak openly about their accomplishments in the workplace and beyond, thereby breaking modesty norms and glass ceilings. In this interactive session, you will participate in group discussions and exercises to develop the confidence and skills to promote yourself effectively.
Check out more at https://iamremarkable.withgoogle.com/
During the 90 min #IamRemarkable workshop we will:
● Share data and research regarding self promotion and unconscious bias
● Go through the main exercise to help you articulate your achievements and practice self promotion
● Have a discussion and share take home exercises.
This program aims to:
1. Improve the motivation and self-promotion skills of women and underrepresented groups
2. Change social perceptions and refresh the conversation around self-promotion.
About our facilitator:
Astrid Sundberg is Chief HR Officer at Shortcut who are the tech innovators behind numerous mobile apps within the Nordic market. She started out her career in the 1990´s recruitment sector specialising in STEM professions and it was from this arena she has cultivated an interest in the area of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.
As a leader, Astrid is focused on putting people first and has helped grow companies from small start ups to successful global businesses. Her passion for the employee experience plays a big role in her motivation for the human resources field and she is a speaker and contributor to topics such as Wellness, Employee Mental health, gender equality and company culture.
Astrid is a Scandi-Brit and self confessed clumsy clot, whose skills include plant whisperer and mother of 3 small humans, who she has co-created with her tech geek husband of 4 years. If she wasn’t in HR + Talent management, her dream job would be to judge talent competitions because she loves literally anything related to dance, music and the performing arts.
Cost: NOK150
Free for the first five to register!
Max attendees: 15
This event is free for HerSpace and Africa Connect members.

*To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, we are taking precautions to keep participants safe and decrease exposure to the virus.
Before attending this event, please be aware of the following rules:

Only participants who have purchased a ticket beforehand are able to attend, in order to help us ensure having a safe number of people in our space at any time.
Please wash your hands or use antibacterial solution for at least 20 secs when you arrive at HerSpace.
Please keep a minimum of 1-meter distance to all persons and wear a mask when that is not possible.
Shared equipment, including yoga mats, paint brushes, toys, will be disinfected directly after use. However, we encourage you to bring your own materials if possible.
Please be safe and stay at home if you feel unwell. Send us an email and your ticket can be applied to another upcoming event.

Time to Talk: Being Female, Muslim and Black
2020-11-24 18:00 - 19:30
Unpacking biases
How much attention do you pay to the narrative about Muslim women in the media? Ask yourself, how are they described? How much of it do you believe?
As a society, we stand up for women’s and LBGTQI+-rights, we fight against the discrimination of black people, and in recent times, we have heated debates about anti-Muslim hate. Yet, we often forget that people can and do belong to all of these categories at the same time.
Within different movements, people belonging to all these groups are often expected to leave one or more of their identities behind, while, in the real world, they are facing challenges of discrimination, biases, prejudices and racism because of the entirety of their being.
Join us for a discussion with our guest, Sahra Hirsi about her experience as a Black Muslim woman in Norway. She will be talking about how she navigates the society and challenge some of the stereotypes and biases our broader community holds.
About Sahra Hirsi
Sahra holds a bachelor degree in English language and literature from Oslo University (UiO), and is currently completing a second bachelor degree in educational psychology and a master degree in international education and sustainability.
Sahra has worked as a teacher, board member and treasurer of the African Student Association at UiO and is currently the Vice President of the Somali Student Forening. Moreover, Sahra lauched her own podcast, Spoken by Sahra, this year, where she invites different speakers to discuss issues such as racism and Islamophobia.
