As a self-described shy person, it took Shaina Riley several years to join Toronto’s Black Googler Network (BGN). Not long after, the pandemic started, “we went through learning about the murder of George Floyd,” and “everything changed,” she says. Around that time “my drive and the necessity to support just became a lot greater,” she remembers. Now Partner Growth Lead and Black Googler Network Canada Lead, Shaina says, “I was thrust forward a little bit more to become a little bit more frontline.”
It wasn’t her intention to pursue a career in diversity, equity, and inclusion—Shaina studied media and history and worked in advertising. Her career took the turn because “in the same way that I felt like I wanted to be a part of a community at the very beginning, I was really driven to help others feel like they have that. Because during the pandemic, I think a lot of people felt very alienated, felt very alone. And so, I wanted people to feel like they had a place and a space. […] It’s branched into different things and into a few different areas to the extent that I guess I’m kind of known now at Google as someone that you can go to as it pertains to D&I and initiatives that involve community and support.”
This ability to take care of others can be traced back to her experience as a young girl caring for her four younger sisters after her parents separated. “I think seeing my mum go through a lot of stuff has taught me that I can do hard things and that I think has helped me a lot and helped me help others,” she reflects.
An experience in a yoga class helped shape Shaina’s commitment to inclusivity. She wanted to experience the benefits of yoga but found that her physical limitations precluded her from full participation. She then embarked on a yoga teacher training course to learn how to teach people with various limitations.
Another physical pursuit—dragon boating—helped her better understand teamwork and community. Growing up in South London, Shaina had never heard of this activity. Now she describes her first team sport as providing “an element of being one among the community and having responsibility in support of—and taking the responsibility for—the community within the boat […], which I had to learn,” she says. “I think I learned a little bit more around consideration for how others do things because we don’t all do things the same way.”
Now, as the head of BGN Canada, Shaina leads a team of 14 across three pillars: External Communities (partnering with Black ERGs, supporting Black-owned businesses, fundraising); Internal Communities (organizing events for Black+ Googlers and allies); and Professional Development (mentorship and career growth programs).
With a collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to DEI, she has fostered a more inclusive environment through expanded programming, strategic external partnerships, and increased member engagement. Shaina’s dynamic leadership extends beyond Google to the tech industry at large, where she has consistently spearheaded impactful DEI initiatives.
Shaina is a catalyst for positive change, inspiring the tech industry to break down barriers and create equitable workplaces where everyone can thrive.
To hear from Shaina and other gender equity and DEI champions, attend Catalyst Honours on 7 October, 2024.
Why Shaina is a Next Generation Champion:
- Contribution to DEI at Google: In addition to her work with BGN, Shaina has held roles as Platforms Canada DEI Lead, Americas DEI Contributor, Americas Canada DEI Community Representative, and Black@ALCS Canada Lead. Her contributions amplify DEI efforts across Google, shaping inclusive practices and community engagement strategies.
- Black Renaissance Event: Shaina orchestrated the impactful Black Renaissance panel and networking event, a collaboration among leading Toronto tech companies, in July 2023. This event, which brought together more than 100 Black tech professionals for career-focused discussions, underscored Shaina’s leadership as Google’s key representative on the organizing committee.