Dave Lu’s Post

Travelling back to #Anglesey after attending another fab Female Founders Rise event at Kindred in London—a summer celebration of FFR service founders, with discussion, bubbles, pizza and doughnuts. 2 amazings hosts Emmie Faust, and Sarah Ellis Davies, and 3 inspiring speakers Ozlem Tuskan, Susan Walbrook, Dr. Dupe Burgess, all sharing their own experiences of #impostersyndrome, on overcoming it, and the daily challenges of silencing the inner critic. I first heard the term imposter syndrome about 20 years ago, when confiding in a co-worker about crippling feelings of anxiety, lack of confidence; "That's imposter syndrome, everyone gets it" they said. At least I knew what it was, and it did help knowing that I wasn't alone. And I think that's what's so powerful about FFR events. Being able to hear such inspiring stories first hand, then share our own experiences with peers in a safe and welcoming space, is truly empowering. And the result? Stronger women leaders, who then build stronger, successful businesses. Lovely to see Fiona Brownlee FCMA, Chloe Davies again and wonderful to meet Tina Jennings 🌟 Change Expert, Celia Harding, Sarah Ellis Davies. Special thanks to Susan Walbrook for the impromptu 💪 pep-talk I needed for an important meeting coming up. #goteamsusans 😝 A gloriously sunny evening (chucking it down back at home), super-chic venue, and great company—thank you Emmie Faust for building this community. If I could bottle up and sell the positive feels I get from these meet-ups, I would make a killing. 🤑🤑🤑 #femalefoundersrise #femaleentrepreneurs

Day 4 feels like a marathon of inspired thoughts. From a sponsored breakfast by Raleigh Convention Center for the PCMA Volunteer Leaders at 7:15 AM to a long high-security process to attend the highly anticipated fireside chat with President Clinton and 67th Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton, I'm beyond grateful for the calibre in the thought leadership that I am experiencing here at #PCMACL24. Here are a few recaps from my AI notes: - The importance of bringing people together in person to have constructive discussions and seek common ground, even when disagreements occur. - The challenges of making difficult decisions and how it requires carefully considering all options and perspectives. - Leaders need to clearly explain challenges and proposed solutions and engage people in finding agreements rather than assume everyone understands issues the same way. - The ongoing challenges women face in public life, like facing higher standards and scrutiny, though there is more opportunity now for variety in how women can present themselves. - The potential and risks of technologies like AI, and the need for regulation, debate and guardrails to maximize benefits and minimize harms. - Remaining optimistic while realistically addressing challenges and finding hope through examples of people and leaders overcoming adversity and working constructively across differences. ------ These are my thoughts on this morning's experience. WOW. How Cool it is to experience this Live on the front 3rd row! (Reward for being early, friendly and solo to be welcomed into any smaller group easily). I have always admired Hilary Clinton as a female leader who appeared to be calm, in control, strategic and focused. I enjoyed her sharing moments of the differences of what it was like to prove her value in the past and how our reality may have changed a bit, but there is still a long way to go for equality. I was inquisitive about how Bill and Hilary would be on stage together, and I loved it. Both had very different personalities but complimented each other well. Through all of what I know and don't know, they appear to be a strong power couple who respect and support each other well. This is my most significant WOW 🌟🌟 moment from the past four days. #inspired #wow #thoughtstobringhome #thinkbigger #thinknowandforourfuture

🌟 Embracing Diversity in Innovation: Insights from ON Core Panel Discussion 🌟 CSIRO's ON Innovation Program recently hosted a dynamic panel discussion, drawing in over 300 founders, investors, and key drivers of Australian innovation. The focus? Diversity in innovation. Led by CSIRO's Torres Webb, the panel featured voices of Dr. Joni Sytsma (iLAuNCH, UniSQ), Luli Adeyemo (TechDiversity), and Scott Allen (Nallawilli Group). Their dialogue illuminated the pivotal role diversity plays in propelling innovation forward, dismantling barriers, and championing genuine change within the industry. Key takeaways: 🌐 Despite progress, there's still a noticeable lack of diverse representation across the industry. 🚀 Action speaks louder than words. It's time for Australia's tech and innovation sector to move beyond rhetoric and enact tangible change. 🤝 Partnerships with Indigenous and Black founders hold immense potential for creating impactful change on a broad scale. 💡 We must take ownership of driving the changes needed to foster diversity and inclusion. 🌈 Diversity matters profoundly. It fuels innovation by bringing in diverse perspectives, essential for solving the most complex challenges. Let's heed these insights and work together to cultivate an innovation ecosystem that truly reflects and celebrates the diversity of our society. Together, we can innovate, inspire, and create a better future for all! 💫 https://lnkd.in/g8G8hXnR #DiversityInInnovation #ONCore #InnovationLeadership

🌟 Celebrating May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Athena Actuarial Consulting 🌟 At Athena Actuarial Consulting, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusion. This month, we are honored to celebrate Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Here’s why it’s important to us: Innovation and Insight: Diversity drives innovation. By embracing the unique perspectives of our AAPI colleagues, we foster creativity and enhance our problem-solving capabilities, leading to better solutions for our clients. Equity and Representation: Acknowledging and celebrating AAPI Heritage Month reinforces our commitment to equity and representation. It’s a reminder of the importance of creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Community and Connection: This month provides an opportunity to build stronger connections within our team and with the broader community. It’s a time to engage, share stories, and celebrate the contributions of AAPI individuals. Join us in celebrating AAPI Heritage Month! Let’s continue to champion diversity, promote inclusion, and honor the rich heritage that makes our community stronger. #AAPIHeritageMonth #DiversityandInclusion #AthenaActuarialConsulting #CulturalCelebration #InnovationThroughDiversity #CommunityConnection

Reflecting on this week's challenges and triumphs, I'm reminded of the importance of genuine connections and real conversations, especially when it comes to topics as crucial as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Despite feeling exhausted, I prioritized spending time with dear old colleagues last night (👋 Grace Tong and Lily Kim), and our deep discussion about DEI was incredibly enriching. It's evident that many of us are feeling the weight of navigating DEI initiatives amidst various obstacles. From organizational dynamics to broader societal shifts, the road to progress isn't always smooth. However, it's precisely in these moments of exhaustion and uncertainty that our commitment to DEI is most crucial. Every difficult conversation, like the ones we've had this week (I had many, many impromptu conversations in the office this week), is a step forward in our collective journey towards understanding, growth, and positive change. Let's draw strength from these connections and continue pushing forward, knowing that our efforts, no matter how small, contribute to a more inclusive future. #DEI #KeepMovingForward #InclusionMatters #RealTalk #RTO #GenuineConnections

The Keys to Making Corporate Progress in DEI As seen in Hunt Scanlon Media's recently released 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, Francesca d'Arcangeli, COO and Tom Connolly, PhD, CHRO of Kingsley Gate sat down with our editors to discuss what it takes to implement successful #DEI initiatives. "Companies have programs that are about mentorship, they have buddy systems, they have a facility to talk to people off grid to be able to have a cohort of support and the support network, there are all sorts of different mechanisms that that can manifest itself," said Ms. d'Arcangeli. "And actually, it’s important for candidates to ask the question, what does the company have in place to support them and help them grow and help people to be successful. And again, it’s about really enabling a culture that can allow DEI to really thrive. There’s a lot of talk. And what we need to do is to make sure that there is the mechanisms in place to enable people to be successful." To read more, and download the full report, please visit: https://lnkd.in/einkZSTT

💡 Worth reading: Research shows that diverse companies tend to be more innovative and adaptable than their peers. Despite some progress, gaps in economic opportunities and outcomes for underrepresented groups remain. The World Economic Forum’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer’s (CDIO) Community, a group of 133 C-suite executives, shares some ideas on how companies can make real progress when it come to diversity and inclusion.

🌟We are excited to welcome Peter Zerp as a lightning talk speaker at the upcoming DNNL UnConference! Peter, a key figure in Accenture’s Global Supplier Inclusion & Diversity Program, is renowned for his dynamic approach in promoting more Inclusive Supply Chains across Europe and beyond. His remarkable advocacy and strategic initiatives in supplier inclusion and diversity have been instrumental in fostering inclusive and sustainable practices in the global supply chain. His commitment to this cause has led him to join several  boards,  including WEConnect International and EGLCC - The European LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce, further amplifying his influence in promoting inclusion  in supply chains on a global scale. 🌈 🌐 In a recent conversation with our founder Ruben Brave, Peter highlighted his insights on the critical importance of understanding and acknowledging hidden diversity in society. This topic will be a central theme in his talk at the UnConference. 📣 Peter will be sharing his compelling narrative that intertwines his professional role with his personal experiences. His talk will  be about the importance of inclusion in the corporate world and the nuanced aspects of hidden diversity. Expect to hear fascinating stories and eye-opening insights, including his encounters with inspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups. Join Peter at the DNNL UnConference for an experience that promises to expand your horizons and provoke thoughtful discussions on inclusive supply chains and hidden diversity. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/d4QvfiaD #DNNL #DiversityInTech #InclusiveBusiness #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship Georgio Mosis | Jean-Marc ter Riet | Kimberly Ofori | Ruben Brave

💡 Actual topics like impact of #DEI on organizations, measuring DEI and tracking progress, AI and diversity. Inspiring speakers, honest, lively debates, testimonies from minority experiences, practical workshops and a super relaxed atmosphere on top of that. This was DEI Forum 2023 by OPIM . Were you unable to attend or can't find your notes? Then we summarize for you some of the key ideas of the individual presentations and panel discussions: PART I 👇 Matt Field, British Ambassador to the Czech Republic 💬 D&I, these are the building blocks of the democracy. Inclusive societies do better in terms of prosperity and flexibility. We need to overcome the biases we carry around to understand the society in a big picture or build successful businesses.   Jana Tikalova Tikalová, Founder & CEO OPIM 💬 D&I is not a charity. It’s a commitment, strategy, human rights. One of my dreams and missions is that it will not stay a topic of HR community but become an issue of senior executives.   Richard Stonavsky, Director Regulatory & External Affairs at Vodafone 💬 It's the CEO, it's the Executive Committee, who always has to face the questions like „Shouldn't you slow down because your rainbow flag is everywhere?“, who has to stay courageous, reply and be firm in their replies. We believe in role models. And therefore, we introduced something called ExCo Sponsors for every pillar of our D&I activity.   Kasper Jelsbech, Chief Consultant and Partner at LIVING INSTITUTE Denmark 💬 Whenever diversity is talked about, it's typically targeting and spotlighting the minorities. But minorities didn't create the problem. And what research shows that companies who have gotten men mobilized, men who will be speaking within the companies, 96 % of them report progress in DEI, compared to only 30 % who have not mobilized men. So really focus on finding those allies and mobilize men to be active, vocal advocates in this agenda. Eager for more inspiration? Stay tuned and connected… #DiversityAndInclusion #conference #DEIforum #diverzita #DIshapers #BritishEmbassy 📷 Photos by Michal Barbuščák

I was filled with ideas, thoughts, and energy after an amazing week, of brainstorming with my colleagues on how to further the mission for DEI. Probably because I was tired of witnessing injustices and feeling powerless. This is why I felt compelled to write a bit about DEI, and thus, I created this post on my nearly dormant blog.(https://lnkd.in/g4yJAqVV It is very important that we also see and understand DEI as: 💪 DO it: Any organization that defends and has diverse, equitable, and inclusive statements and policies should actively implement them. We do not need Shakespearean words on a statement; what we need is action, unapologetically embracing diverse and inclusive actions. 🤗 EMBRACE it: No matter how hard an organization believes in and defends DEI policies and statements if they may not be embracing them, DEI should be at the forefront and understood so it can be at the center of any decision made in the company. People should embrace a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and workforce. 🔧 IMPROVE it: We can’t move forward if we do not understand that the world is not perfect, policies are not perfect, and society is constantly evolving. Therefore, DEI policies should be constantly evolving and improving. #DEI #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #Belonging