A compelling roundtable discussion on “Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion in the Work Environment” took place, featuring distinguished speakers in the field. Hosted by the Rome Business School and led by Dean Antonio Ragusa, the session delved into the significance of fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces. Three distinguished speakers, Michela Meo from American Express, Diego Chavez Pebe from Deloitte, and Joanna Bakouni from Rina, shared their insights on the meaning of diversity and inclusion, strategies for success, attracting diverse talent, and addressing the gender pay gap.
Dean Antonio Ragusa introduced the session, remarking that, “All the programs at our business school include important modules of Social Responsibility and Ethics.” Furthermore, acknowledging the importance of diversity and inclusion, he highlighted the school’s dedicated efforts, stating, “We also worked on providing our students with a specific master in ‘Diversity and Inclusion,’ which is very important to us.” The Dean’s analogy of students as rainbows, each embodying unique colors that collectively illuminate the world, resonates with the school’s commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive learning environment, where every individual contributes to the brilliance of shared knowledge and experiences.
The speakers emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion within their organizations. According to Michela Meo, Campus Recruiter & Talent Acquisition Manager at American Express, “Inclusion is about embracing everyone authentically, allowing them to share perspectives and ideas. At AmEx, all colleagues are as diverse as our customer base; they need to feel engaged, have a voice, and be able to be themselves.”
Joanna Bakouni, HR Management at Rina, stressed, “Diversity is the recognition and valorization of all our differences. Together with inclusion, these values are crucial to support our employees. We work on a competence-based model, valuing competences regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or gender.”
Diego Chavez Pebe, HR and Organizational Psychology expert at Deloitte, underlined the significance of a mindset shift, particularly in South America. He stated, “It’s a mindset to improve organizational strategies in the work environment. Diversity and inclusion need to be the main drive to provide the same opportunities to everyone and allow them to be themselves at work.”
The speakers shared diverse approaches to measuring the success of diversity and inclusion initiatives. According to Michela Meo, “Embracing everyone authentically is key, as is aligning with the company’s core values. At AmEx, we work on promoting diversity and inclusion through collaborations with schools like RBS on Career Fairs, ensuring our values resonate with a diverse audience. We also have a refugee program, providing internship opportunities for refugee students.”
Joanna Bakouni emphasized education, stating, “Educating employees about the importance of diversity and inclusion is crucial. While the basics are available on the internet, interactive workshops are much better to cultivate empathy and understanding as soft skills. We incorporate these workshops into our company training programs.”
The panelists provided valuable insights into attracting and retaining diverse talent. Michela Meo highlighted the impact of small adjustments, stating, “Small adjustments in words and decisions can have a great impact. Understanding different holidays, faiths, cultures, or being mindful of time zones is key to fostering an inclusive workplace where colleagues and their careers can grow.”
Joanna Bakouni stressed the importance of tools and promotion, saying, “There are many tools to attract diverse talent pools, such as promoting inclusivity during recruitment and promoting a work-life balance. Additionally, we have a women empowerment organization within our company. Retaining talent involves promoting our company culture within schools, encouraging girls to continue their educational paths and apply for any job position they wish.”
Diego Chavez Pebe discussed an HR project in Latin America focusing on microaggressions, stating, “Ensuring employees work in a healthy environment is crucial. After this is ensured, it’s important to invest in training and learning programs to improve and promote diversity and inclusion. Protecting the rights of the LGBT+ community is essential, promoting an inclusive and respectful environment within the company.”
Joanna Bakouni added, “Something people often forget is also neurodiversity. It’s difficult to raise awareness about this. ADHD, autism, and dyslexia were long looked at as diseases. Now we see they’re natural forms of different cognitive learning. We don’t have to learn, think, and interact in the same way, and we have to keep in mind that we all work differently.”
The speakers also touched upon often overlooked aspects of diversity. Diego Chavez Pebe pointed out that the gender pay gap is not only a matter of men and women but is often influenced by ethnicity and environment as well. Joanna Bakouni shared her experience at a gender pay gap conference, stating, “I went to a conference about the gender pay gap, and all five panelists were men working in male-dominated fields.” This emphasized the need for broader representation and addressing gender disparities in various professional domains.
The roundtable provided valuable insights into the multifaceted aspects of diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace. The speakers’ diverse perspectives and experiences offered a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities organizations face in fostering inclusive environments. As organizations continue to evolve, the lessons shared during this roundtable serve as a guiding light toward creating workplaces that truly embrace the richness of diversity in all its forms.
