Equity and Inclusion at Work: Now What?
Join this virtual gathering of EDI practitioners and changemakers to explore emerging practices, co-design inclusive systems, and consider new approaches to measuring impact. Through sessions and conversations, the day will highlight equitable and inclusive evaluation, projects in progress, and approaches emerging from workplaces and communities.
To view more details of the conference: https://blogs.ubc.ca/2026cesdconference
Schedule:
Morning 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Opening Keynote with Dr. Hazel Symonette, PhD: Now What? Activating Your Best "SELF-in-Context" for Equity-Enabling Processes & Practices
Dr. Hazel Symonette will invite participants to consider what equity-enabling processes and practices ask of us now. Her many decades of work supporting practitioners has resulted in her focus on strategies that maximize agency & efficacy for ^The Greater Good^ in the contexts of power, privileging & marginalizing systems. Activating "SELF-in-Context" as responsive and responsible instrument helps one credibly Walk the Talk of inclusive excellence, equity and social justice.
- Employer Partner Spotlight: Equity and Systems Thinking in Organizational Practice
Members of Vancity’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation team: Eunice Kajoba, Kelly Chhor, and Carla Cowie will share a practical look at equity in talent systems, recruitment practices, and inclusive hiring pathways. This session will explore how equity commitments can be translated into workplace systems and implementation.
- Reflective Conversation with Major Anita Yengue, P.Eng, MBA: Navigating Systems, Service, and Culture Change
Major Anita Yengue will reflect on identity, leadership, and culture change within complex institutions, drawing from her experiences as an aerospace engineer, educator, and Canadian Armed Forces officer.
Afternoon 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
- Afternoon Keynote with Gerald Ratt/Ai’ssoo, MA: Indigenous Perspectives on Cultural Safety and Working Together in Good Ways
Gerald Ratt will present on cultural safety, relationships, responsibility, and working together in good ways.
- Workplace Practitioner Presentations: Applied Equity Projects and Lessons from Organizational Practice
The afternoon will feature brief presentations from practitioners sharing applied equity-centred systems design work, including tools, questions, and lessons emerging from real workplace and organizational challenges. Showcase topics will include:
- practical workflows for intake, prioritization, and response to DEIR/EDI-related requests
- fair hiring resources and reframes to support candidates who hold work permits
- inclusive design approaches to recruitment, belonging, and retention
You are welcome to attend the full day or join individual sessions. We hope you’ll join us for this interactive day of reflection, practical examples, and community learning.
Course format
The format of this conference is 100% online with live presentations.