Smith School of Business - Overcoming Bias in the Workplace

Inclusion is not something that can wait, and leaders in organizations have an important role to play.

We still have a long way to go before our offices and boardrooms are truly representative of the diversity in society. Inclusion is not something that can wait, and leaders in organizations have an important role to play in driving meaningful change. 

Smith School of Business is offering a free webinar to leaders in the workplace on 'Overcoming Bias in the Workplace: How Leaders can Drive Change.' Through this webinar, participants will learn strategies and ideas on how to make a positive change, how to better engage their staff in diversity and inclusion initiatives, review unconcious bias and the science behind it as well as the common diversity and inclusion mistakes that organizations make, the power of "reverse mentoring" and of course, the importance of authentic leadership at this time.

Following the presentation there will be time for a Q&A with our speakers.

About our Speakers

Tanya van Biesen Executive Director, Catalyst Canada, the leading global non-profit working to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion. A recognized leader and influencer with deep experience in the executive search sector at the most senior levels of corporate Canada, Tanya brings more than two decades of corporate leadership and diversity experience to Catalyst. Most recently, she co-led the Financial Services Practice at Spencer Stuart and was a key member of the Canadian Boards Practice. She also led the firm’s Canadian Diversity Practice, specializing in the placement of chief diversity officers and diverse slates of candidates across all search assignments. A sought-after speaker on the topic of diversity in the boardroom, Tanya has contributed to several research studies and articles analyzing leadership trends and attributes.

Stephanie Simpson, Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion), has been a member of the Human Rights Office at Queen’s since 1996, starting in the portfolios of anti-racism advisor and education co-ordinator. In 2018 she was appointed associate vice-principal (Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion). She leads the Human Rights and Equity Office and plays a key role in fostering both competence and legislative compliance around inclusivity, diversity, accessibility and human rights. Stephanie has also supported inclusivity and equity efforts in Kingston through her roles with the Black Inmates and Friends group; her consultation and education services efforts with organizations such as Interval House, the Limestone District School Board and Kingston General Hospital; and her role on the Kingston Immigration Partnership Operations Committee. Stephanie is a sought-after speaker on issues related to anti-racism, anti-oppression, social justice and domestic human rights.