S2 E13 Confronting the Fear of Change

​We're back with Dipal Damani for our second conversation on the topic of her important work in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) organizational evaluation and audit. Dipal gets to the heart of why organizations need to be doing this work, and how leaders can prepare. Emotions run high during the DEIB audit process, and Dipal gets real about where this fear comes from. When we can separate ourselves from what we need to do as an organization this is where real change happens. We get into how power dynamics play a huge role in understanding organizational dynamics and how a DEIB audit is an incredible tool to help leadership understand that the organization they see, can be different from what others see and experience, and how to create the kind of organization and culture they desire. There are amazing insights here about how to position yourself for success and bring value and positive change to your organization.
 
More about Dipal
Dipal is the Founder and President of D&D Inclusion Consulting and is a racialized equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) consultant. She has extensive knowledge and experience in EDI, having delivered results in this area for the past 15 years. As someone who represents multiple identities that are historically marginalized and oppressed, Dipal has a deep understanding of the impact and intersection of marginalization, oppression, exclusion and power imbalance, and is able to speak to these issues from lived and professional experience. 
Prior to founding the company, Dipal worked with provincial and regional governments to implement inclusion policies, conduct EDI organizational audits, and launch multi-stakeholder EDI initiatives. In 2015, she founded D&D Inclusion Consulting to leverage her experience, knowledge, and expertise to work directly with organizations in creating more inclusive workplaces and communities.  
Dipal blends her social science research background with her practical experience to design strategies, tools, and training that help organizations move forward on their EDI goals. She takes organizations from understanding the benefits of EDI through to developing a plan, implementation, and evaluation.  In her work, she uses an evidence-based, data driven-approach, and also leverages her strong research, strategic planning, and evaluation background. She has extensive knowledge, skills and expertise in conducting EDI evaluations with a focus on anti-oppression, anti-racism and anti-colonialism. She brings to this work a strong understanding of differential impacts of historical inequities and racism faced by Black and Indigenous communities in Canada. 
Dipal holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Governance with a Certificate in Ethnic, Immigration, and Pluralism Studies from the University of Toronto. She is truly passionate about her work and loves finding innovative approaches and practices that benefit her clients.
 
 
D&D Inclusion Consulting:  
D&D Inclusion consulting is an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) consulting firm that provides assessment, training and advisory services. The firm uses a proven methodology that has delivered results for clients. We use an appreciative inquiry lens, which is a strength-based approach that affirms strengths of the organization and the potential for growth in equity and inclusion - it is a methodology rooted in building organizational capacity. We have found using this approach with management teams, staff and boards allow for a safe space for rich dialogue and, more importantly, buy-in on moving the organization forward.  
We conduct EDI organizational audits to improve workplace culture and engagement. The audits are based on a data-driven, evidence-based approach, and draw upon leading research and promising practices in the field. We draw from the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) from the Centre for Global Inclusion. We also root our analysis in global research from leading sources as well as promising practices. 
We are known for our engagement skills in our facilitation work. A strong focus is placed on ensuring the psychological safety of participants, creating safe spaces for open and honest dialogue, and managing expectations.
 
 
Follow Dipal at:
Website  |  Linkedin