On 5 June 2024, DEI and HR professionals gathered virtually across the globe to learn about the power of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). A thousand-plus participants together learned new things, networked, and explored innovative tools and solutions. Here are some of the highlights.
“The way we talk about innovation at Zoetis it that innovation can come from anywhere. Great ideas come from any colleague in the organization, right? We don’t think singularly about innovation.” – Elizabeth Creveling, Senior Director, Inclusion & Engagement, Zoetis
“We created a space and environment where people can feel that they’re heard and seen. This allowed our teams members to come ahead and share their stories.” – Nikolay Valchev, SVP, Finance Lead International Operations and Global Diagnostics, Zoetis
“Inclusion is, if I work for you, I feel valued, I feel seen, I feel recognized. My voice matters. My contributions matter.” – Mita Mallick, Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact, Carta
“I am tired as a chief diversity officer; I am tired as a woman of color. Of course, this is my job, I’ve signed up for it. But how wonderful is it when someone else stands up for me? It’s an amazing feeling that somebody else who has power and privilege at work can actually intervene in those moments that matter.” – Mita Mallick, Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact, Carta
“Leadership and development positions in ERGs are so important and a big opportunity to be a talent incubator for leadership positions in companies.” – Debora Gepp, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Thomson Reuters
“How can the ERG further the mission and vision of the organization? (…) I like to think about diversity as something that we need to move from being a cost to being a revenue.” – Greg Russo, Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group
“ERGs can be platforms that help to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups. We know they elevate perspectives that might otherwise go unheard. And of course, that is invaluable for leaders.” – Kyle Elliott, Counsel, Diversity & Inclusion, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Blakes
“Building community through ERGs allows for a pipeline of new leaders to emerge. ERGs empower employees to become leaders in their own right by providing safe spaces that promote connection.” – Kyle Elliott, Counsel, Diversity & Inclusion, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Blakes
“I truly believe we can create environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to be their authentic selves. So let’s challenge ourselves to rethink the way we think about community and embrace the potential that ERGs offer for driving inclusion in our workplaces.” – Kyle Elliott, Counsel, Diversity & Inclusion, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Blakes
“I would want people to be kind, to be good and to be better, and to be inclusive in this work that we have in front of us. (…) This ERG practice is amazing. We’re unleashing an incredible amount of individuality and collectively we’re doing some amazing things.” – Jorge A. Quezada, Chief Inclusion Officer, Granite Construction