Diversify

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Psychological Safety or Psychological Bravery?
2025-05-28 13:00 - 14:15 (Europe/Oslo)
Our Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace series is a global platform dedicated to fostering open conversations and learning around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in workplaces and communities worldwide. Since 2020, these monthly sessions have brought together professionals, leaders, and advocates from across the globe to explore best practices, share personal experiences, and discuss actionable strategies for creating more inclusive environments. These free, virtual sessions serve as a space for collective growth, critical reflection, and meaningful dialogue on DEI’s evolving role in society.
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Our topic for May is Psychological Safety or Psychological Bravery?
Psychological safety has become a buzzword in organizations — often equated with kindness, comfort, and open dialogue. But what happens when “safety” is mistaken for harmony at the expense of truth? Or when it’s used to avoid difficult conversations rather than engage with them?
This session will explore the evolving conversation around psychological safety — not to discard its value, but to interrogate its limitations and reimagine its role in brave, courageous leadership.
We’ll explore how psychological bravery asks something more. It builds upon the foundation of safety but goes further — allowing individuals to challenge the status quo, take bold actions, give and receive honest feedback, speak up even when it’s uncomfortable, and drive innovation, even in uncertain or high-stakes situations. In cultures striving for inclusion, justice, and equity, bravery isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Join our speakers Chisom Udeze, Economist, Strategist, Investor & Executive Director of Diversify, Tendai Angela Jambga-Rokkones, Yoga Teacher, Wellness Curator & International Speaker, Christopher Vasquez Hovind, Inclusion & Diversity Trainee at SpareBank 1 North Norway, and Iva Ogrizovic, Director at Diversify and People & Culture Partner at Diversify Consult, as we unpack:

Why psychological safety alone may no longer be enough
How it can unintentionally stifle growth when misapplied
What psychological bravery looks like in practice, and who models it
How to build cultures that support both safety and courage

This conversation will invite leaders, teams, and changemakers to reflect deeply: Are we building environments that foster courage — or comfort that avoids it?
Join us for this digital discussion on May 28, 2025 at 13.00 CEST by RSVP-ing below.

Speakers:
Chisom Udeze (She/Her), Economist, Strategist & Executive Director of Diversify
Chisom is an accomplished Economist, Strategist, Investor, and Founder with nearly two decades of experience leading impact-driven companies and actioning societal change. She serves on multiple boards, including as chair, and holds advisory roles across three continents.
Her global work spans seven countries and includes collaborations with organizations like the European Commission and Boston Consulting Group. Chisom champions democracy, sustainability, justice, and community driven and multi-stakeholder change-making. She also spearheads the Diversify Nordics Summit, a leading conference for leadership and innovation. A passionate advocate for mental health, Chisom enjoys tennis, reading, writing, and has published on Forbes.
Christopher Vasquez Hovind (He/Him), Inclusion & Diversity Trainee at SpareBank 1 North Norway
Christopher Hovind holds a bachelor’s degree in HR and personnel management and is currently working in Tromsø as a trainee in diversity and inclusion. He has also been involved in volunteer work with organizations such as the KUN Center for Equality, the VI Foundation, and Equal Workplaces to help create more inclusive spaces for people from diverse backgrounds. Drawing from his own experiences, he is committed to making the world a more inclusive place where everyone has the opportunity to participate on equal terms.
Tendai Angela Jambga-Rokkones (She/Her), Yoga Teacher, Wellness Curator & International Speaker
Tendai Angela Jambga-Rokkones is a yoga teacher trained in vinyasa yoga, restorative yoga, and yoga Nidra; wellness curator, international speaker, and avid reader.
Tendai curates programs and talks derived from the fields of Wellbeing, Yoga, African philosophy, Ayurveda, and Self-care as a form of innovative transformation for one’s Self and communities.
She has led workshops, talks, and programs for diplomatic agencies, TedX, Film with Fashion Revolution, Children’s Home’s, Tamba Africa Circus, Women’s groups and was recently invited by Christian Dior Couture in partnership with UNESCO for the Women@Dior Mentorship Program: ‘Women, Leadership, sustainability and education’ as a guest speaker.
Tendai believes that practices of Self-Care rituals are inner engineering for the body, mind, and soul that sustain personal power in the direction to fulfill your mission and purpose.
Iva Ogrizovic (She/Her), Director at Diversify and People & Culture Partner at Diversify Consult
At Diversify Consult, Iva focuses on developing and implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) strategies and co-designs and delivers DEIB training and development programs.
As the Director at Diversify, she co-creates and manages many of its initiatives including, but not limited to, The Blaze Inclusion Award, The Annual Gala, various Mentorship Programs and Entrepreneurial Incubators and Accelerators. Her passion lies in fostering professional and personal development as well as empowering individuals to use their potential for transformative growth.

Leadership and Business in the Current Geopolitical Climate
2025-06-24 07:30 - 09:00 | Thon Hotel Opera, Dronning Eufemias gate 4,, Oslo, 0191, Norway
In a world marked by growing geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, and shifting global alliances, today’s leaders are navigating unprecedented complexity. The global landscape is reshaping the way we do business and lead organizations.
Join us for an insightful breakfast seminar that brings together business leaders, strategists, and experts to explore how companies and institutions can lead with foresight, resilience, and responsibility in this rapidly evolving climate.
Through this gathering, we will examine:

How current geopolitical dynamics are impacting markets, industries, and leadership priorities?
The role of business in promoting stability, equity, and long-term value amid uncertainty.
Practical strategies for navigating risk, building resilience, and adapting to global shifts.
What ethical, inclusive leadership looks like in today’s fractured world?

Whether you’re a leader, policymaker, or entrepreneur, this session will offer timely insights and concrete takeaways to help you lead with clarity and courage in times of global uncertainty.
Join us for a breakfast seminar on Tuesday, June 24th at Thon Hotel Opera. Breakfast & networking starts at 07.30 CEST.

RSVP Here!

Unlocking Opportunity: Harnessing the Power of Norway's International Talent
2025-08-26 17:30 - 20:00
Norway is brimming with highly skilled people who already call this country home — yet many remain on the sidelines of the labour market. While much of the national conversation focuses on attracting talent from abroad, this event flips the narrative: from “attracting talent” to “activating the talent that’s here.”
Join industry leaders, employers, policymakers, and changemakers for a powerful conversation on how Norway can fully leverage its international workforce to drive innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. Hear from employers who have bridged the opportunity gap. Walk away with practical insights, actionable strategies, and fresh perspectives on transforming untapped skills into a national advantage.
The event will include an evening of networking, music, along with snacks and refreshments.
📅 Date: Tuesday, 26 August 2025
📍 Location: Thon Hotel Opera, Dronning Eufemias gate 4, Oslo
🕠 Time: 17:30 onwards
This event is organized by Diversify in partnership with Thon Hotel Opera.
Our speakers:
• Chisom Udeze – Executive Director, Diversify
• Sayantani Saha – Senior Manager, Diversify
• Siw Andersen – CEO, Oslo Business Region
• Wenche Fredriksen – SVP Head of Inclusion & Diversity, DNB
• Edson Lopes – Global Senior Leadership Development Manager & DEI, Yara International
• Ley (Ashley) Muller – Senior AI Product Manager
• Karol Baca Lopez – Low-code/No-code developer, Trondheim kommune
• Zainab Musa – HR Specialist /Talent Management Advisor – Norwegian Refugee Council
• Emma Jackson – People and Culture Specialist
RSVP Below!

Building With, Not For: The Process of Community Co-Creation
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00
What does it really mean to co-create with community?
This discussion is an invitation to explore the practice of co-creation — how it works, why it matters, and what co-creation makes possible. Co-creation is about listening deeply, sharing power, and building with people rather than for them.
Real change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community — when we choose to build together. Co-creation strengthens trust, creates belonging, and ensures that what we make is not only lasting, but also relevant across different contexts.
In this session, we’ll share our journey of co-creating an equity framework with artists, cultural practitioners, and organizations across the Nordics — the lessons we learned along the way, and why this way of working is essential for meaningful, sustainable change.
This is an invitation to reflect on what co-creation asks of us, what it makes possible, and why it matters for anyone who wants to create change that endures.
Join us digitally on September 25th at 12.00 CEST. RSVP below to attend!

Diversify Summit 2025 - Courage in Action
2025-10-24 07:30 - 17:00 | Thon Congress Gardermoen, Balder allé 2, Gardermoen, 2060, Norway
Courage in Action is a rallying call to lead with boldness, challenge the status quo, and turn vision into transformative change.
It’s about more than bravery—it’s about acting on convictions, pushing boundaries, and creating tangible change. Together we step beyond comfort zones and move from dialogue to decisive action for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.
Join us in redefining what’s possible, one courageous step at a time.
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The Diversify Summit is a premier global conference, offering a unique platform for leaders to connect, innovate, and address urgent global, societal, and workplace challenges.
Renowned as the most intersectionally inclusive conference in Europe, it presents a vital opportunity to deepen your knowledge, expand your network, and cultivate meaningful, lasting partnerships.
Since our inception in 2022, we have been committed to driving positive, measurable impacts in organizations and communities, empowering leaders and individuals to catalyze lasting transformation.

Sign up here!

Book Launch: Radical Justice - Building The World We Need
2026-04-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Sentralen, Øvre Slottsgate 3, Oslo, Oslo, 0157, Norway
What does it take to build a future rooted in freedom, dignity, and equality when the world feels like it’s moving in the opposite direction?
Across the globe, we are witnessing the rise of authoritarian politics, widening economic inequality, and a climate crisis at breaking point. The scale of injustice can feel overwhelming. In moments like these, it’s easy to feel powerless.
But what if change doesn’t start “out there”?What if it starts with us?
In her new book Radical Justice, international human rights lawyer Nani Jansen Reventlow offers a powerful and practical guide for strengthening the movement for freedom and equality for all. Drawing on decades of legal and activist work, she shows how each of us—within our own spheres of influence—can take meaningful action toward systemic change.
Inspired by anti-racist and social justice thinkers such as Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò and Angela Davis, Radical Justice moves beyond despair and into action. The book explores concrete pathways including strategic litigation, digital rights, reparations, and climate justice, while inviting readers to learn, reflect, and act in a society that often tells us change is impossible.

About the event
The evening will begin with an in-conversation with Nani Jansen Reventlow, moderated by Chisom Udeze, Executive Director of Diversify, followed by a panel discussion. Speakers include: Bjørn Ihler, founder and CEO of Revontulet and co-founder and director of the Khalifa Ihler Institute, Michelle Tisdel, Researcher at National Library of Norway and Curator of Black History Month Norway (Oslo), Winta Negassi, Board member of Haugerud I.F and Community and Youth Advocate.
At the event, Prismatic Pages will be selling copies of Radical Justice, and there will be an opportunity to have your book signed by Nani after the conversation.
Together, we’ll explore:

What “radical justice” means in today’s political and social climate
How individual and collective action can lower the threshold to change
Where responsibility, power, and possibility truly lie

This event is for anyone asking hard questions about the world we live in—and how we might build something better, together.
The event will take place at Sentralen in the Hvelvet hall.
Limited space available. Register to secure your spot.
Register Here!

About the Author

Nani Jansen Reventlow is an international human rights lawyer. She is the founder of Systemic Justice, which advocates for marginalised communities through strategic litigation. Politico named her one of society’s great visionary tech leaders for her work on digital human rights. She has also been honoured with awards from Harvard, Oxford and Columbia Universities.
About the Speakers
Chisom Udeze (She/Her) is an accomplished Economist, Strategist, Investor, and Executive Director at Diversify with over two decades of experience leading impact-driven companies and actioning societal change. She serves on multiple boards, including as chair, and holds advisory roles across three continents.
Her global work spans seven countries and includes collaborations with organizations like the European Commission and Boston Consulting Group. Chisom champions democracy, sustainability, justice, and community driven and multi-stakeholder change-making.
At Diversify, Chisom and her team operate at the intersection of four main pillars: economic justice, health, migration and integration, and global inequality, using mediums including but not limited to entrepreneurship, research, investments and advocacy. She and her team also spearheads the Diversify Summit, a leading global conference on leadership, innovation, and sustainable change, bringing together diverse industry leaders and professionals.
A passionate advocate for mental health, Chisom enjoys tennis, reading, writing, and has published on Forbes.

Michelle A. Tisdel (She/Her) is a researcher and curator. She holds a doctorate in Social Anthropology from Harvard University (2006) and works as a researcher II at the National Library of Norway. Her research interests include cultural policy, anti-racism, and Afro-diasporic archives and cultural heritage. Tisdel has researched Afro-Cuban heritage in Cuban museums and the Afro-American artist and activist Ruth Reese in Norway. In 2020, Tisdel established Lift Every Voice, a documentation project about anti-racism in Norway. She is the curator of the Oslo-based project Black History Month Norway.
Winta Negassi (She/Her) is a board member of Haugerud I.F and a community and youth advocate.
Bjørn Ihler (He/Him) is the founder and CEO of Revontulet and co-founder and director of the Khalifa Ihler Institute.
Ihler is an internationally recognized expert in counterterrorism and threat intelligence. His work focuses on the international dynamics of adversarial networks and on combating the threats they pose. With a broad background, he builds bridges between technology, social science, diplomacy, and intelligence. Ihler has worked with tech companies, world leaders, governments, boards, and international organizations. He served as the inaugural chair of the Independent Advisory Committee to the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism from 2020 to 2022, facilitating joint efforts between diplomacy, academia, and the technology industry to counter the spread of online harms.
Ihler is affiliated with the Obama Foundation and has worked with Kofi Annan and his foundation. Ihler has also advised on and developed policy and efforts, among others, at the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the US National Security Council, the African Union, and the European Union. Ihler is a prominent public speaker, has given two TEDx talks, and written for well-renowned outlets such as the Guardian, Time, Project Syndicate, and Aftenposten.
