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In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re using today’s conversation to take a closer look at women’s rights, and what is being done to elevate women’s voices from all over Canada.

Joining us in today's episode of Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham is Shari Graydon, an award-winning author, speaker, print and broadcast columnist, and advocate for women’s rights. She is also the founder of Informed Opinions, a social mission project that seeks to amplify the voices of women and gender-diverse people to ensure that their experiences and insights help shape a more equitable and inclusive Canada.

In today's conversation with Shari, we delve into the current state of the media landscape in Canada, the progress that has been made in terms of gender, diversity, and representation, and what still needs to change. She tells us about the various initiatives that Informed Opinions have undertaken, their impact on women's lives and the conditions that motivated them to step into the political sphere. Shari also shares her recommendations for the media on how to improve gender equality, along with her advice to organizations on how to foster gender equality in the workplace. Be sure to tune in to hear all of Shari's thought-provoking insights, the urgent work being done by Informed Opinions, and much more!

Key points from this episode:

• Taking a moment to honour International Women’s Day.
• Introducing today’s guest Shari Graydon, founder of Informed Opinions.
• Shari’s hopes for the future of gender equality.
• The experiences that led to her becoming a fierce advocate for gender equality.
• Examining the difference between equality and equity through a gender lens.
• Reflections on the media landscape in Canada concerning diversity, gender, and representation; the progress that’s been made, and what still needs to change.
• Details on the Gender Gap Tracker: its benefits and shortcomings.
• The mission behind Shari’s organization, Informed Opinions, and the work that they do.
• An overview of their new campaign, Balance the Power, and how you can get involved.
• Examples of how women’s lives have been changed by Informed Opinions.
• Helping women step out of imposter syndrome, and why you don’t have to be “the best candidate” to share your informed opinion.
• Shari’s recommendations for the media on trying to improve gender equality.
• Advice on how organizations can improve gender equality in the workplace.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Shari Graydon
• Shari Graydon on LinkedIn
• Shari Graydon on X
• Informed Opinions
• Gender Gap Tracker
• Equal Voice
• Balance the Power
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham

Today's guest is Kai Scott, and he is here to share his experience and expertise on the subject of pronouns and inclusive language. Kai is the President and Gender Strategist at TransFocus Consulting and has a great amount of insight into diversity in the workplace, with a focus on guiding thoughtful, respectful, and impactful conversations. In our chat, we get into some of the crucial areas of this discussion, including how to respond and react to mistakes, necessary nuances, creating safer workplaces, and more. Kai also unpacks the roots of TransFocus and a little of his career history and grounding in social science. So if you would like some fresh illumination on this important aspect of diversity and inclusion, how to be a better ally, and the ways in which we can all support change within companies, be sure to tune in! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Kai takes us through the personal journey that led him to where he is today.
• An explanation of pronouns and why they are so important. 
• Examples of pronoun usage in the workplace.
• Advice for how to approach fruitful conversations regarding gender diversity.  
• Thoughtfulness and nuance in conversations. 
• Kai talks about how employers can create safer workplaces.  
• How to react to the mistakes we all inevitably make and assumptions around damage. 
• Where to find Kai online and learn more about TransFocus and their work!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Reliance Home Comfort
• Kai Scott on LinkedIn
• TransFocus Consulting 
• TransFocus on LinkedIn
• The Surprisingly Simple Way to Transcend Differences About Gender TEDx Talk
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham

In Canadian workplaces, many Asians are forced to grapple with the bamboo ceiling, which is a term that is used to describe how their growth and success within their organizations is hindered because of their ethnicity. Moreover, other harmful stereotypes (like calling Asians the “model minority”) mean that there is still much work to be done for Asians to feel completely welcome in their communities. We continue to highlight extraordinary individuals this Asian Heritage Month, and today’s guest is a stellar example of using strength, determination, and resilience to overcome issues of racism, sexism, and Islamophobia. Introducing Sania Chaudhry, an Employment, Labour, and Human Rights Lawyer and a passionate champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Sania joins us today to discuss how DEI work became her life’s focus, how to push through the bamboo ceiling, why the model minority is a damaging stereotype, and how marginalized people can speak for themselves in environments that discourage them to do so. We also explore the role of allies in the workplace, how to diversify the leadership prototype, why colonialism remains ever-present, and so much more!  

Key Points From This Episode:

• A warm welcome to Employment, Labour and Human Rights Lawyer, Sania Chaudhry.
• Sania’s professional background and why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) matters to her. 
• Her perception of the bamboo ceiling and examples of how she’s been marginalized at work. 
• The myth of the model minority and why this is a harmful stereotype.
• What employers and workplaces need to do to address the bamboo ceiling problem. 
• How marginalized people can speak up for themselves in uncomfortable environments. 
• Redefining and diversifying the prototype of leadership.
• Making work activities accessible and enjoyable for all employees.
• How colonialism still affects Asians today. 
• Ways that Sania brings forth her concerns at work amid the risk of reprisal. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

•  Sania Chaudhry on LinkedIn 
• Forte Workplace Law
• University of Calgary 
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham

Join Anne-Marie Pham as she talks with  Amanda Kennedy, an innovative Indigenous leader, anti-racist educator, consultant, strategic community planner, program developer, and facilitator/trainer. 

Anne-Marie Pham, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, speaks with Indigenous leader, Tim Fox, who shares his incredible story and insights for addressing anti-Indigenous racism at the systems level.