EMpower Role Model Panel Discussion, London
On Thursday 6th February 2020, EMpower hosted a Role Model Panel at the Canary Wharf HQ of Citi where guests heard from four of the previous Role Models from the EMpower list including: Andrew Monu, Director of Field and Product Marketing, LinkedIn; Deon Pillay, Head of Marketing Operations, Legal & General; Baroness Usha Prashar CBE PC, Chair, FICCI UK; and Diane Chadwick-Jones, Human Performance Director, BP with moderation by Suki Sandhu OBE, Founder & CEO, INvolve.
Key themes that were explored included the importance of visible role models; navigating the path to leadership and key steps for success and inclusive leadership and empowering the leaders of tomorrow with panellist sharing invaluable pieces of advice for the audience.
About the Speakers
Diane Chadwick - Jones
Human Performance Director, BP
EMpower Advocate 2019
Diane leads strategy and activities in safety leadership and human performance at BP. She was instrumental in the refresh of the BP Values, and her current focus is to further operationalise the systems thinking approach in BP by shaping tasks around people to reduce risk and make work more effective.
Diane is a co-chair of BP’s Positively Ethnic Network (PEN), an influential, employee-led group that is at the forefront of a step change in diversity and inclusion. Building upon her work in safety culture, she produces workshops to counteract unconscious bias through empowering teams to make structural changes to systems and processes. She is an advocate and mentor, supporting ethnically diverse people to manage dilemmas and fulfil their potential.
Diane is a graduate of Imperial College, London and has had an extensive career in BP since 1992 spanning a number of businesses and functions including Refining, Exploration & Production and Chemicals, working in Belgium, Brazil and Egypt in operations and safety roles. Diane is a member of the IOGP Human Performance Committee and the Center for Offshore Safety Culture Working Group. She is also a member of The Circle NGO, which fights for equal rights for women all over the world.
Andrew Monu
Director, Field & Product Marketing (EMEA & LATAM), LinkedIn
EMpower Ethnic Minority Future Leader 2019
As an ERG lead for ethnic minorities at LinkedIn, Andrew focuses on encouraging and empowering other BAME employees to have the confidence to act as role models themselves. He spearheads numerous initiatives, including listening sessions with BAME employees to make LinkedIn more inclusive; a Black History Month programme, educating employees and the wider industry about the value of building a more racially inclusive workplace; and mentoring BAME employees.
Externally, Andrew regularly undertakes speaking engagements, including being a panellist at INvolve’s ‘How media portrayals of ethnic minorities impact on workplace dynamics?’, and at the Telegraph’s D&I Conference (Bridging the Diversity Gap). He has written articles on the importance of D&I, acknowledging bias and media representation. In addition, Andrew works with schools and young people to inspire the next generation of BAME leaders, participating in EMpower’s Emerging Leaders Programme, to teach high potential BAME students/young professionals the soft skills required for making the transition into senior roles.
Deon Pillay
Head of Marketing Operations, Legal & General
EMpower Ethnic Minority Future Leader 2019
Deon is Chair of LGIM’S L&GBT+ Allies network and Co-chair of InterInvest, a network of investment professionals that drive LGBT+ equality across the investment industry.
As a role model for LGBT Great, he received their inaugural award for driving inclusion in Asset management. He is a keynote speaker, sharing his personal experiences to surface LGBT+ issues; a panellist championing diversity and inclusion; committee member of the Diversity Project’s LGBT+ stream; and supporter of Queer Britain. He is ranked 36 in the 2019 OUTstanding LGBT+ Future Leader Role Model list, and 3 in the 2019 EMpower Top 50 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders list.
The Right Honourable Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede, CBE, PC
Chair, Cumberland Lodge; Non-Executive Director, Nationwide; UK Chair, FICCI
EMpower Ethnic Minority Executive 2018
The Right Honourable Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede CBE, PC, an independent member of the House of Lords since 1999, has led and chaired a number of public and voluntary organisations with distinction. She has also served as a non- executive director of a number of private sector organisations. During her 47 year career spanning public, not for profit and private sector she has made significant contribution to public policy and public life in the UK.
As a non- executive director of Nationwide she takes lead responsibility in diversity and inclusion. As Deputy Chair of British Council she ensured that diversity was high on the agenda. Through a variety of voluntary activities, Usha has promoted inclusiveness. She takes an active role in promoting legislation to combat discrimination and promote equality. She undertakes extensive speaking engagements to promote better understanding of what steps need to be taken to make workplaces more inclusive and tackle systemic inequalities. She also mentors and her advice is often sought on ‘inclusive workplace practices’.
Suki Sandhu OBE
Founder & CEO, INvolve
As one of the UK’s leading specialists in sourcing exceptional diverse talent, Suki Sandhu has been a game-changer within the executive search and diversity arenas for over 15 years.
In 2011, Suki established Audeliss, a global boutique executive search firm that genuinely cares about delivering excellence for clients and candidates alike. Audeliss are levelling the playing field for women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people at the most senior level in business, with 65% of appointments since 2011 being diverse candidates.
Suki is also Founder & CEO of INvolve, a network championing diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of events, programmes, thought leadership and inclusion solutions, INvolve helps organisations to drive cultural change and create more inclusive workplaces. In addition, INvolve publish the annual OUTstanding, EMpower and HERoes role model lists celebrating business leaders and future leaders who are leading the charge in their respective diversity spheres, and securing a diverse talent pipeline for the future.
Suki is a Stonewall Ambassador and launched ‘The Suki Sandhu LGBTQI Asia Fund’ to support activism in Asia. He is also Patron for The Albert Kennedy Trust and has been appointed to the Board of Directors of OutRight Action International based in NYC. He is also a Trustee for the Guild of HR Professionals. He was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honours for Services to Diversity in Business.
