In late November, Financial Times released a new Diversity Leaders list, a unique ranking that highlights 700 corporate leaders that actively safeguard the diversity and inclusion of underrepresented groups in their workforce. The methodology was simple. FT surveyed employees of the corporation and ask their opinion on the extent to which the marginalized groups are given opportunity and represented in their company. These initiatives are still necessary to promote non-discriminatory and inclusive approaches as a best practice that is not as wide spread as one may expect.
The discussion about diversity is however not limited to our workplaces. Whether in our neighborhoods, communities, sport clubs or other social groups, we always need to revisit, analyze and consider whether we are doing enough to open our doors to those that have been systematically excluded, underrepresented or underestimated for decades, maybe centuries, either due to their race, age, gender, religion or sexual orientation. In order to contribute to this important debate, Female Ventures invited two inspirational speakers that talked about their personal and professional stories that closely relate to the diversity and inclusion debate.
Nancy Kasvosve is a corporate healthcare professional, entrepreneur and story teller. Driven by a calling to fight for social equity, she dreams of a world in which no one’s race, gender or passport does not determine the size of their dreams, and she channels this passion through her career in healthcare and several entrepreneurial ventures. Nancy is the founder and global strategic lead of Philips Women Lead, an 800+ strong network inside Philips, that is connecting women and resourcing them to drive their careers confidently.
Montaña Nieweg-Montero Alvarez works at the Eindhoven municipiality and she introduced her ambassador network within Eindhoven, where she aims to bring top women and men together with women that experience difficulties in finding suitable work opportunities.
This edition was made possible by Female Ventures.