A Global Perspective On Equity – DEI Statements Vs. Commitments Business Resilience DECODED

Episode 93: Olanike Ayomide-Mensah

What does equity look like on a global scale? In this episode, Equity Strategist Olanike Ayomide-Mensah joins us to share her perspective on moving from Nigeria to Ohio as a young girl and navigating adolescence as both an American citizen and an immigrant. Olanike has worked with several organizations through her DEI consulting firm Mosaic Consulting, and she shares what she believes differentiates organizations who have made statements about DEI from organizations who have made commitments to become more diverse and equitable workplaces.

Olanike is a workplace equity strategist and executor rolled into one. She is experienced in applying a justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) lens to all aspects of workplace management. She has applied her organizational development and leadership skills in both the non-profit and business/ corporate sectors, spending 20 years leading local, national, and international organizations. Her experience living on two continents gives her a unique, global lens that enriches her perspective.

Connect with Olanike:
Olanike’s TEDx Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/olanike_ayomide_mensah_the_big_lie
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olanike/
Website - https://www.mosaic4equity.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mosaic4equity/
Podcast - So You Wanna Be an Ally - https://anchor.fm/soyouwannabeanally

In this episode, you will learn:
Olanike’s unique experience and perspective as both an American citizen and as an immigrant from Nigeria
How her gift for identifying who was being excluded led to her career in DEI
How designing systems without equity in mind means increasing risk in your organizations
Why diversity in a team means diversity of thought and the insight you lose when you don’t prioritize diversity
Why you need to evaluate diversity at the leadership level of your organization - this is where the representation should be happening
How to recognize the difference between statements and commitments about diversity
Why hiring an external DEI consultant is effective for identifying opportunities for change in your organization

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Vanessa Mathews, host
Vanessa Mathews is the founder and chief resilience officer of Asfalis Advisors, where they are focused on protecting the legacy of the leaders they serve through business resilience. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Mathews developed global crisis management and business continuity programs for government and private sector organizations to include Lowe’s Companies, Gulfstream Aerospace, and the Department of Homeland Security.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-vaughn-mathews-mba-cbcp-70916b4b/
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Jon Seals, producer
Jon Seals is the editor in chief at Disaster Recovery Journal, the leading magazine/event in business continuity. Seals is an award-winning journalist with a background in publication design, business media, content management, sports journalism, social media, and podcasting.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonseals/
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