In this session Edward Nkole (Finance Officer at the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute at Queen's University) shared his story and insights from his sixteen-year journey at Queen’s and in Kingston.
Edward shared that he had often been the subject or intended beneficiary of advocacy by well-intentioned persons who want to better his life and people who may look like him. He offered that this is especially true in western workspaces where EDII is a central theme. However, in this session, Edward shifted the narrative to share his personal journey and the impact of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity (EDII) on it. Noting that he had often been an observer and a participant in EDII initiatives, but most often the subject, Edward offered principles that have worked for him and would likely work for the leader looking to make a real and heartfelt difference in the lives of the individuals they lead.