Global Inclusion in Practice Podcast

“Every single one of us has bells that we can ring; that are within our reach. They may be hidden. They may not be obvious. They may be unfamiliar. But there is something every one of us can do within our reach. What it requires is to forget your perfect offering. Forget the hope that it will be perfect, or we know what will happen, or our collaborators will be perfect, or we will be perfect.” - A...

“Increase your capacity to stay grounded, creative, and open to navigate everything that’s happening. We’re seeing a lot of change. We’re seeing a lot of choppy waters. And if you want to keep cooking up great impact, just as if you’re a chef on a ship sailing choppy waters, you’re going to have to work with that and still make it great.” - Marjolijn Vlug In this new season of the Global Inclusion...

“I see hope, and I also see an opportunity for us to be strategic, going stealth mode, and be resourceful in the way that we do our work.” - Vivian Acquah As we conclude the second season of the Global Inclusion in Practice podcast, we’re grateful for the enriching episodes in this series and inspiring guests from various corners of the world, and across the spectrum of DEI, sharing their stories,...

“It's really important to remember global context. I'm sitting here in Northwest Europe, where a lot of companies are putting money and time and effort towards diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, justice. But there are a lot of parts of the world where we are still fighting for, ‘the basics’, equality; we haven't reached the point of equity yet.” - Annelie Wambeek Annelie Wambeek is a freelan...

“There are many gladiators in our corner, and we can truly change the world.” - Karim El Oteify Karim El Oteify is an intersectional spirit engaging in this concept that we call humanity, and in more earthly terms, a systemic change facilitator and diversity and inclusion consultant. As the Founder of The Wheels of Impact he focuses on DEI, communications, and change management, combining personal...

“I take it really seriously that I'm a role model. Regardless of where we are in an organization, if we are leaders, we have a responsibility, and we are role models. That's the truth, and we can choose to do what we want with that. To me, that is leadership.” - Aaron Kroon Aaron Kroon has been passionate about inclusive leadership from the early days of his career. Leadership as a role in the org...

“As human beings, we are created to be together. ‘Me myself and I’ does not work. It's ‘me, myself, and us’ that works. For me, community is the solution for everything. And that's on the personal level, on the collective level and the society level.” - Kemo Camara Kemo Camara was not sure why we decided that he would be a good guest on this podcast, but you’ll find out why soon enough…  Kemo is a...

“I want to make equitable futures irresistible, I want it to be so juicy and delicious, like: how could you want anything else?” - Tara Robertson Tara Robertson is a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist. She works with companies to use data to diagnose what's going on and to help make things better in a lasting, sustainable way. She is also a leadership coach, primarily serving women of colo...

“You can't go any deeper with your clients than you can go within yourself. And if you can't go that deep, you're going to stay in one space.” - Amri B. Johnson Amri B. Johnson is a seasoned DEI practitioner and organizational culture advocate, CEO & Founder of Inclusion Wins. He is a husband, a father, a stepfather, a son, an uncle. He is immensely well-read and connected with the historical and...

“From a  very young age, I learned to be an observationist. I didn't have the opportunity to go and play football with friends at school. I was an observer of the sport. So naturally, I've developed the aptitude, skills and abilities to be an observer.”” - Toby Mildon Toby Mildon is an ambitious consulting business owner, a thoughtful team leader, with a deep commitment to his work as a Diversity...

“It is hard to try to fit in, and those molds can break you sometimes. So instead of allowing a mold to break you, why don't we break them ourselves?” - Mariana Peña Mariana Peña is a learning designer for, as she likes to call them, revolutionary experts who want to change their industries and the world at large, one online program at a time. Every time Mariana works with a client, she infuses so...

“I want to grow up to be someone who makes sure that we are always creating that level playing field for everyone to thrive.” - Edmund Asiedu Edmund Asiedu (he/him/his) is a black man originally from Ghana, West Africa, now living in the United States. Edmund's primary focus is on promoting independent living for individuals with disabilities.   His career has spanned various fields, including car...

“I'm doing something for the community, giving back in a way. Having a place where people could feel heard and connect, because there's so much isolation in this work that it's hard to actually make those connections.” - Sarah Cordivano In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Cordivano, DEI author, strategist and change maker originally from Philadelphia, who now splits her time between Berlin and...

“Well, when you want to make your life better, you have to do something you believe in. Right?” - Jan What you’re about to dive into is a special edition of the Global Inclusion in Practice Podcast.  We're taking an exciting leap forward and doing something we've never done before - interviewing our own partners to gain insight into their views on Diversity, Equity, and inclusion and its impact on...

Deep Dives Ahead: Season Opener with Vivian and Marjolijn  “It was a surprising conversation. It's going to be interesting to hear a different piece of our puzzle.” - Vivian Acquah Welcome back to Season 2 of the Global Inclusion in Practice Podcast! Hosted by Vivian Acquah and Marjolijn Vlug, we're diving right into the heart of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with fresh vigor. This openin...

“The conversations that we had so far have been stretching my brain.” - Vivian Acquah Throughout this season of the Global Inclusion in Practice podcast, we've had the joy of engaging in conversations with diverse thought leaders and inspiring individuals who are actively working on their impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) around the world. “This season has been an enlightening dive...

Samet Akti was born and raised in Berlin, in a muslim family originally from Turkey. As a DEI practitioner and strategist speaker, they are working with companies to help them understand their diversity and inclusion challenges and gain unique insights for solutions. Samet currently works specifically for a company in the fashion and tech industry where they are the principal for D&I strategy. The...

“I always want to make sure that no one has to be alone in their feelings, thinking they are not fitting in with any group. Because you know what? You're never the only one. There is such a big community of people out there. And I know the power of getting to connect with someone who has a similar experience. That really is almost magical how it can make the burden dissolve a little bit.” - Jason...

"You have to be vulnerable. You have to put yourself out there. You have to make mistakes."- Klarrisa Frank Klarrisa Frank (she/her) identifies as a multiracial, first generation Chinese American who is now an immigrant in the Netherlands. Professionally, Klarrisa is a coach, facilitator, creative, and consultant. In her coaching, bringing in her own background, she enjoys helping ambitious profes...

“Integrity is profitability’s long game.” - Ryker Knapp Ryker Knapp (he/him) is working as a manager of inclusive learning and enablement at Indeed, in the United States, out of Arizona. Being a transgender man is what sparked his interest in advocating for others. It taught him true empathy for others.  “I've been in situations where life was not equitable. Life was not kind. And so I want to do...

“Talking with you about this feels like there's more shoulders coming next to each other saying, alright, we can carry this together. Let's do this.” - Salmaan Sana Salmaan Sana is a curious, open person who loves connection. He is multifaceted, multitalented, and multidimensional. Working as a facilitator, consultant, and trainer, he has been called a ‘process artist’ who spots and analyzes the c...

“I think we inspire each other, we learn from each other so much, because we open up as we get to know each other.” - Yuli Kim Yuli Kim is the founder of Inclusion Sensei, a DEI consultancy, and the Director of Program Development at Workplace Pride. She specializes in LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the workplace and often also addresses race and culture. Originally from Japan, she’s been living in the Net...

“I deal with it by being brutally honest about what I can do, what they have to do, and what is necessary in order to make it work.“ Dr. Marcia Goddard wants you to know that she’s not your average neuroscientist. What she really wants to do is break stereotypes and show not only how relevant neuroscience is for everything that we do but also that you don't have to be boring, old and grey - and ma...

You may pick it up from our voices as you start listening in: we’re overjoyed about this episode with Matthew Reynolds (he/they). He dives right into realness and authenticity. This conversation brought us tears from the realness of what he shares and laughs over silly stuff. Processing and listening as we talk together. Based in Hawaii, Matthew currently works with groups of people (organizations...

Let’s get honest and personal right from the start. Not just our guests but your hosts as well. In this introductory episode, Vivian Acquah interviews her co-host Marjolijn Vlug. Don't miss this lively conversation and share this channel with others who are passionate about building a more inclusive world. “We know you as a DEI coach. What do we not know about you yet? What did I not know yet?”  M...