#080 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares her 2021 review, her personal reflections working in DEI, and what’s next for Inclusion in Progress in 2022. Kay dives into her experiences as an immigrant and woman of color living outside of the US, how she and the team have grown in their DEI work, what she has had to leave behind, and where she is excited to be going next. Finally, Kay gives you a sneak peek on where the Inclusion in Progress podcast will be going in the new year. Our Latest Whitepa...
Dec 24, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 80
#079 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares more of her findings from her team’s 2021 whitepaper on DEI and the future of work for multicultural teams, which is now available for download. Kay discusses how Generation Z is challenging company leadership to be more intentional with how to respond to the different identities, cultures, lived experiences and locations of their employees. Finally, Kay talks about why understanding Gen Z employees’ expectations will help companies retain and recruit t...
Dec 10, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 79
#078 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares findings from her team’s 2021 whitepaper on DEI and the future of work for multicultural teams in tech, which is now available for download. Kay also announces the launch of the digital home for Inclusion in Progress, LLC, at inclusioninprogress.com, a global consultancy which unites cross-cultural communication, remote work, and DEI strategies to help you retain the best people on your teams. Finally, Kay dives into how forward-thinking tech firms can ...
Nov 26, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 78
#077 - In this episode, Kay Fabella talks about how to redefine productivity for remote teams. Kay discusses the shift in employee expectations as more companies navigate leading remote teams in a post-pandemic world, against the backdrop of the Great Resignation and the entrance of Gen Z into the workforce. Finally, Kay shares how these changes can be an opportunity for organizations to restructure for different work styles and cultural lenses, to empower middle managers, to create more agile t...
Nov 05, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 77
#076 - In this episode, Kay Fabella discusses how to adapt your performance management practices for your remote teams. Kay shares what she and her team have witnessed with companies adapting performance reviews during the pandemic, and the unique opportunity we have to revisit these appraisals as we navigate through hybrid work and back to our physical workspaces. Finally, Kay discusses specific ways companies can adapt their performance management systems for distributed, multicultural teams. ...
Oct 22, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 76
#075 - In this episode, Kay Fabella is honored to welcome Mita Mallick, the Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta, to talk about how to redesign workplaces for working mothers post-pandemic. Mita candidly shares the psychological, emotional and professional challenges working mothers are facing while navigating their roles at work and at home. She lays the case for why our organizations have an opportunity to reimagine structures and support so that women continue to participate in the w...
Oct 08, 2021•23 min•Ep. 75
#074 - In this episode, Kay Fabella discusses what your hybrid workplace needs to succeed. Kay dives into the definition and origin of intercultural communication. She explains why integrating a multicultural lens in virtual communication and collaboration can help to cultivate more cultural agility, and drive equity and inclusion in hybrid workplaces. She also talks about how intercultural communication, when done intentionally, can help with common collaboration and communication challenges gl...
Sep 24, 2021•34 min•Ep. 74
#073 - In this episode, Kay Fabella is pleased to welcome Kristy Wallace, the CEO of Ellevate, to discuss the power of women’s networks for gender equity at work. Kristy shares her lessons from her leadership role at Ellevate, a global network dedicated to the advancement of women in the workplace. She also explains why women’s networks are best placed to help companies ensure gender equity in their workforce and provide critical support to women across intersecting identities. Finally, Kristy a...
Sep 10, 2021•27 min•Ep. 73
#072 - In this episode, Kay Fabella discusses what company culture means today, and how it will need to evolve as our workforce continues to change post-pandemic. Kay revisits the definition of “company culture” and how it has shifted since many of us have not been in a physical working environment for over a year. She also shared why companies with a strong culture have been more effective at retaining talent during the pandemic, and shares examples where organizations have succeeded in creatin...
Aug 27, 2021•34 min•Ep. 72
#071 - In this episode, Kay Fabella is pleased to welcome Cornell Verdeja-Woodson, DEI Director at Headspace and the Founder of Brave Trainings, LLC, to discuss why employee mental health matters in DEI. Cornell dives into the often elusive topic of mental health at the workplace, and the cultural connection between employee mental health and DEI. He also reiterates the importance of embedding diversity and inclusion across organizational functions in design, and shares the work he is leading at...
Aug 13, 2021•25 min•Ep. 71
#070 - In this episode in honor of her birthday, Kay Fabella shares true reflections as an international DEI consultant. After receiving numerous questions from podcast listeners about what it’s like to work in diversity, equity and inclusion, Kay peels back the curtain to share the hard and heartwarming lessons, reflections and insights for others looking to get into this work. Finally, Kay shares a birthday offering in the form of a song and mantra that has helped her to stay committed as her ...
Jul 23, 2021•26 min•Ep. 70
#069 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares three DEI lessons she and her team have learned from working with non-US clients. After working with global teams from both within her birth country, the US, and outside of it as an expat in Spain, Kay talks openly about what’s challenged and shifted her team’s approach to DEI, and helping client partners redesign their workplaces for greater equity and inclusion. Finally, Kay offers some ideas for how you can expand your equity and inclusion initiative...
Jul 09, 2021•35 min•Ep. 69
#068 - In this episode, Kay Fabella welcomes Dawn Osbourne, the chair of Adobe’s UK Black Employee Network (BEN) to discuss the benefits of employee networks for non-US teams. Dawn shares why and how she was motivated to start a Black employee resource group (ERG) in the UK with the support of Adobe, and outlines the importance of cultivating belonging for an employee network-based outside of the US. Dawn shares how she was able to quickly scale BEN’s business impact around a mission that gave m...
Jun 25, 2021•28 min•Ep. 68
#067 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares reflections as a DEI practitioner on how the global antiracism movement looks like inside global companies, one year later. Kay discusses how organizational priorities and corporate language shifted in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, what commitments were made to investing in equity and racial justice, and what has and hasn’t changed in the past year. Finally, Kay shares three ways organizations with global teams can continue building freer, fairer w...
Jun 11, 2021•32 min•Ep. 67
In this episode, Kay Fabella welcomes Nancy Kasvosve, founder of Philips Women Lead (PWL) and passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, to discuss her lessons from driving and growing the organization’s largest employee resource group to influence Philips’ global DEI strategy. Nancy highlights the importance of employee-led “bottom-up” movements, detailing how she created and scaled PWL at Philips with the support of colleagues, mentors and sponsors — alongside her day job and entrepreneuria...
May 28, 2021•35 min•Ep. 66
#065 - In this episode, Kay Fabella discusses why mental health and DEI go hand in hand. Kay talks about the importance of mental health policies and protocols in corporate organizations, especially after the 2020 pandemic, the racial justice movement, and the compounding of personal challenges for employees. She also shares her personal mental health story, which she draws from to support other underrepresented professionals through her diversity and inclusion work. Finally, Kay goes behind the...
May 14, 2021•28 min•Ep. 65
#064 - In this episode, Kay Fabella is excited to welcome Aisha Suleiman, ERG expert and the founder of Amazon UK’s Black Employee Network (BEN), to discuss the critical role of employee resource groups within organizations. Aisha discusses what she’s learned running and growing BEN, and dives into how ERGs can enable internal networking, increase collaboration, and improve talent retention. She also discusses how ERG leaders and members can support a company’s larger DEI strategy. Finally, Aish...
Apr 30, 2021•30 min•Ep. 64
#063 - In this episode, Kay Fabella talks about why our longstanding notions of professionalism and culture fit undermine diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in organizations. Kay starts the episode by discussing the intersectional violence against historically excluded communities in her birth country, the US, and why feeling pressured to stay “professional” as someone working in DEI can be challenging in the face of social inequity and injustice. Finally, Kay breaks down the hist...
Apr 16, 2021•31 min•Ep. 63
#062 - In this episode, Kay Fabella welcomes Mechelle Roberthon, VP and Director of Talent Development at Home Bank, to discuss why DEI often fails Black women in leadership and how it could be improved. Mechelle dives into how Black women end up actively increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as advocating for employees across other marginalized groups. She also exemplifies how organizations benefit from their increased representation in leadership. Finally, Mechelle shares findin...
Mar 24, 2021•36 min•Ep. 62
#061 - In this episode, Kay Fabella challenges companies and DEI leads to ensure your gender equity plan helps ALL women. In honor of Women’s History Month, Kay takes a different approach for this episode to show you why your gender equity plan must be intersectional, to help you uncover the blind spots in your DEI plan. She illustrates three hypothetical cases with women across different identities who could be left out or marginalized by gender equity initiatives in companies. Finally, Kay ask...
Mar 10, 2021•32 min•Ep. 61
#060 - In this episode, Kay Fabella is pleased to welcome Albrey Brown, a DEI veteran currently working at Airtable, to discuss how to pivot your DEI strategy as it evolves — and share how he led diversity, equity and inclusion at his organization through the highs and lows of 2020. Albrey generously shares his lessons learned from leading DEI at various companies in the technology industry. He also dives into how to leverage data analytics for more inclusive recruitment to help retain professio...
Feb 24, 2021•40 min•Ep. 60
#059 - In this episode, Kay Fabella defines what intersectionality is and why it matters to DEI. Kay talks about how embedding an intersectional lens into your DEI strategy can help truly benefit and retain diverse talent in your workplace. She also gives actionable ways to help you measure data intersectionally to improve employee retention and engagement. Finally, Kay shares the drawbacks of focusing on “gender only” or “race only” in DEI efforts, and her “why” behind helping companies build i...
Feb 10, 2021•34 min•Ep. 59
#058 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares why retaining female talent during the pandemic is crucial for the future of work. Kay talks about how COVID-19 is threatening to undo all the progress we’ve made on gender equity at work — and why leaders can’t afford to have women leave due to pandemic-related pressures at work and at home. Finally, Kay shares three actionable ways that organizations can ensure their female talent remains through changing their systems, behaviors and company culture....
Jan 27, 2021•30 min•Ep. 58
#057 - In this episode, Kay Fabella gives you a three-part 2021 inclusion resolution to keep DEI going at your company. Kay shares why the work of diversity, equity and inclusion must deepen to build upon the lessons we learned about remote work, managing differences in diverse teams, and the global antiracism movement in 2020. Finally, Kay offers her three-part inclusion resolution for listeners to stay committed to creating more inclusive workplaces, and how she’ll be supporting companies with...
Jan 13, 2021•20 min•Ep. 57
#056 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares what’s next for Inclusion in Progress in 2021 and beyond. Kay shares a bit about how the podcast has evolved since the show first launched in November 2019, and how her current work with organizations, allies, advocates and minorities alike has shaped the new direction. Finally, Kay unveils a new intro and updated mission for the show — reminding us that we ALL have a role in creating more inclusive, equitable workplaces.
Dec 23, 2020•12 min•Ep. 56
#055 - In this episode, Kay Fabella takes a break from her normal episodes and shares her top DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) lessons from 2020. Speaking from her personal experience as a second-generation American woman of color and immigrant in Spain, Kay shares some of her key reflections and moments of reckoning with the antiracism movement, cancel culture, and allyship. Finally, Kay talks about how we keep the conversation moving on DEI after 2020, and the lessons she hopes we all tak...
Dec 16, 2020•26 min•Ep. 55
#054 - Kay Fabella is excited to welcome Dr. Nika White of Nika White Consulting, to discuss how companies can truly embrace antiracism work. As an award-winning management and leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and published author, Nika shares her key learnings and tools from facilitating hundreds of conversations on racial equity in companies. Finally, Nika shares why this work begins with a desire to be a student, to engage with stories of the “other”, and a willingness to navigate the ...
Dec 09, 2020•29 min•Ep. 54
#053 - In this episode, Kay Fabella shares her top predictions for DEI in 2021 based on her work with client partners like Red Hat, the IMF, Philips, and more. Kay acknowledges how 2020, with the coronavirus and the global antiracism movement, has forever changed how companies think about diversity, equity and inclusion. Finally, she shares what we can expect for DEI in 2021, and how your teams and organization can deepen your strategies to continue building inclusion at work....
Dec 07, 2020•27 min•Ep. 53
#052 - Kay Fabella welcomes Cindu Thomas-George, Founder of Shakti Diversity and Equity Training, and award-winning professor of Communication Studies on Intercultural Communication to discuss the role of allyship for non-Black POC (people of color). As a fellow second-generation American practitioner of Asian descent, Cindu shares how her approach to DEI promotes equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and intercultural competence. Finally, Cindu talks about how non-Black practitioners, allies and advo...
Nov 25, 2020•35 min•Ep. 52
In this episode of Inclusion in Progress, Kay Fabella shares her reflections on DEI post-election in her birth country, the US, from her perspective as an American practitioner abroad. Kay highlights why, for better or for worse, what happens in the US affects the world at large — and how it translates into DEI initiatives for organizations and teams. Finally, she shares her observations and reflections on how the US elections will change how we discuss diversity, equity and inclusion in global ...
Nov 18, 2020•18 min•Ep. 51
