Home News Story PBN Summit: Diversity, equity and inclusion not only about metrics, but cultural transformation

PBN Summit: Diversity, equity and inclusion not only about metrics, but cultural transformation

By

Christopher Allen

-

12/07/2023

CHRISTIN ZOLLICOFFE, far right, vice president of chief belonging and equity officer at Lifespan Corp., speaks during Providence Business News’ 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit and Awards program on Thursday. Also on the panel are, from right, Amy Walsh, executive director of commercial banking and diverse business regional executive for JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Jenny Bautista Ravreby, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island diversity, equity, and inclusion manager; Kevin Matta, board president for Diversity and Inclusion Professionals and senior director of people & culture for United Way of Rhode Island Inc.; Talia Brookshire, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island’s chief diversity officer; and Shameen Awan, vice president of talent management and DE&I assistant vice president at Amica Mutual Insurance Co. / PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

WARWICK – When it comes to increasing workplace diversity, it’s not about reaching a destination but continuing a journey of improvement. That’s according to participants in a panel discussion at Providence Business News’ 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit and Awards program that took place Thursday at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick. The discussion was moderated by

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WARWICK – When it comes to increasing workplace diversity, it's not about reaching a destination but continuing a journey of improvement. That’s according to participants in a panel discussion at Providence Business News’ 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit and Awards program that took place Thursday at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick. The discussion was moderated by Kevin Matta, board president for Diversity and Inclusion Professionals and senior director of people & culture for United Way of Rhode Island Inc. Working in a movement that has sparked some pushback requires a doubling down of efforts, he said, and a commitment to engaging both supporters within an organization as well as skeptics in the “social reckoning that still has many marginalized communities feeling unanswered and their needs unmet.” “I think we have moved the needle on the discussions that we’ve had in a healthy and positive way. The work belongs to all of us,” he said. “Tensions in conversation in the workplace can be healthy. However, it’s when it becomes ‘friction’ that it becomes unhealthy.” But Matta said the question remains: Where do we go from here? “This is not a zero-sum game,” said panelist Christin Zollicoffer, vice president and chief belonging and equity officer at Lifespan Corp. “We can pivot. And it’s OK to fail [at first]." Shameen Awan, vice president of talent management and DE&I assistant vice president at Amica Mutual Insurance Co., said internal communication is key, particularly with executives and senior leadership. This has helped Amica with both its recruitment and retention efforts. “The more relationships you have within an organization, the harder it is to leave,” she said. "It makes everything much easier to do.” Talia Brookshire, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island’s chief diversity officer, said those in DEI roles should continue to take an honest account of successes and failures. The health insurer has recently added a policy whereby all employees in all departments, from the C-suite to the marketing team, are required to report their progress to "tell the full story." “It is just part of our thought process," she said. "Not waiting for me to walk in the room and ask, 'Did you put this lens on it?' ” Jenny Bautista Ravreby, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island diversity, equity, and inclusion manager, said it's also important that employees hired in these roles search for mentors wherever they can find them. “Do not be afraid to ask somebody that does this work in other companies, ‘Hey, can I learn from you?’ ” she said. “You’d be surprised how welcoming they are.” These initiatives will increasingly make more business sense as well, said Amy Walsh, executive director of commercial banking and diverse business regional executive for JPMorgan Chase & Co. She said that as more corporations increase financial commitments to minority-owned enterprises, small and medium-sized companies will have greater options for long-term growth. Walsh suggested smaller companies without human resources departments hire outside consultants and secure national accreditation to increase visibility, which can give a “competitive advantage.” In November, JP Morgan Chase and Next Street released “The Middle Matters: Exploring the Diverse Middle Market Business Landscape,” which found that while minority and women-owned businesses account for half of companies, they remain historically underfinanced. Over 30% of middle-market businesses are minority-owned, she said. But they only account for 20% of the total market revenues. “There has never been a greater time to reach out and work with diverse-owned businesses,” she said. “Large corporations are now looking to find and connect with businesses [whose ownership] identify as minorities.” However, during her acceptance speech for receiving the Diversity Champion award, Adama Brown, United Way of Rhode Island director of research and data analytics, cautioned against companies thinking DEI work is limited to a numbers game. “The question is whether BIPOC leaders are at the table, providing input and helping to drive decision-making in their organization,” she said. Brown was among 13 honorees recognized by PBN Thursday morning for their commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. A special section profiling each honoree will be published Friday as part of PBN’s Dec. 8-21 print edition. The 12 organizations who were recognized Thursday for their efforts were:

Accounting: CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Architecture/Construction/Design: Gilbane Inc.
Arts & Entertainment: Trinity Repertory Company
Career Consulting: Tribe Academy LLC
Education – K-12: William M. Davies Jr. Career and Technical High School
Education – Postsecondary: Community College of Rhode Island
Financial Services: R.I. Housing and Mortgage Finance Corp.
Health Care – Enterprise Company: CVS Health Corp.
Health Care – Large Company: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Insurance: Amica Mutual Insurance Co.
Manufacturing: Amgen Rhode Island
Nonprofit/Social Services: Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council Inc.

Amgen, Gilbane, CVS and Blue Cross are repeat winners of PBN’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Awards program. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the presenting sponsor for the PBN 2023 Diversity Equity & Inclusion Summit and Awards program. Amgen Rhode Island, Amica Mutual Insurance Co., Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, CBIZ & MHM, Lifespan Corp. and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island are the partner sponsors. Animus Studios is a partner and video sponsor. (Christopher Allen is a PBN staff writer. You may contact him at Allen@PBN.com)