Courageous Conversations at Essity

This podcast series invites the listener to Essity's journey within Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). We call It Courageous Conversations because it takes courage to challenge the status quo, practice a speak up culture and not be held back by old truths. Come join us on this journey as we learn from individuals within Essity on how we can make DEI real. Hosted by Essity's Amie Kromis, Director Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Deniz Yordanov, Sourcing Analyst, Sustainable Procurement/SQM

Episode 1 - Why Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Matters

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) is foundational to Essity: it is the right thing to do, the smart thing to do, and it’s the company we want to be, given Essity’s Purpose and Beliefs & Behaviors.

In this episode hosts Amie Kromis and Deniz Yordanov meet with Sahil Tesfu, Chief Strategy Officer, and Tuomas Yrjölä, President Global Brand, Innovation and Sustainability, to talk about why DEI matters and share practical experiences, both personally and professionally.

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Episode 2 - Gender Inclusion in Society and in the Workplace

It takes more than women to advance in gender equality. It takes systematic work, building research, data, and experience. International Women’s Day on March 8th and Women´s History Month reinforce the importance of gender equality, recognizing both progress but also the persisting and growing inequalities.

In this episode, hosts Deniz Yordanov and Amie Kromis invite Pia Höök, Vice President Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Essity, to discuss how gender equity shows up in society and in the workplace.

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Episode 3 - Racial and Ethnic Identities in Different Countries and Societies

Racial bias and prejudice is a global issue, but it presents itself differently depending on who you are and where you are. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

In this episode, hosts Amie Kromis and Deniz Yordanov are joined by guests Irina Kim, Global Brand Innovation Manager, and Nelisa Ngubane, HR Manager, to unfold inclusion from a racial and ethnic perspective, discover what commonalities of bias and prejudice exist and learn how we can be an ally and/or active bystander in society and in the workplace.

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Episode 4 - Uncovering LGBTQ+ experiences to reinforce inclusion

As June is Pride Month, we couldn't have picked a better time to have this discussion. Pride Month is a global celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, its history, and its ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. Our conversation points out ongoing struggles faced by the community and the need for greater understanding and support.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, our hosts Amie Kromis and Deniz Yordanov dive into the topic of LGBTQ+ inclusion. To shed light on the experiences and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, they are joined by two inspiring Essity colleagues: Maria-José Rodriguez, E-Commerce Director, based in Mexico, and Jamie Wright, Global Marketing and Communications Manager, based in the UK.

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Episode 5 - Allyship at Work: From Cancel Culture to Coaching Culture

In our fifth episode, we're honored to be joined by David Glasgow, a distinguished author, lawyer, and diversity and inclusion expert. Together, we dive deep into pragmatic strategies for navigating conversations around DEI and actively growing as an ally.

David shares insights from his an Kenji Yoshino's book "Say the Right Thing" including tips and tricks to engage in meaningful conversations that matter and provides guidance on how to mend relationships and rebuild trust after uttering words that may have caused harm.

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Episode 6 - Aging out Loud: Age, Gender and Menopause in the Workplace

In this episode, we draw inspiration from the International Day of Older Persons on October 1st, recognized by the United Nations, and the widely recognized World Menopause Day on October 18th.

We dive deep into the varying perceptions of menopause in different local contexts, shedding light on the shared experiences, challenges, and implications faced by women during this transformative stage of life.

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Episode 7 - Believing in Inclusion: Religious diversity in the workplace

With between 4,000 and 10,000 religions worldwide, each joined by its own cultural practices and traditions, navigating religious diversity can be complex. At Essity, we're committed to cultivating an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse religious backgrounds feel valued and respected.

Joining us are two insightful guests who will share their experiences and perspectives: Ilham Smaali, Vice President of Planning & Logistics, and Lee Kirschner, Account Manager.

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Courageous Conversations at Essity