Connecting The Dots: Creating a Safe Space for Healthy Inclusion

Gena Pemberton is the VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at OmniCom Health Group and in this role she is responsible for developing and driving forward the diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy for the network. Her background includes corporate finance roles over 13 years at Johnson and Johnson, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell University.

In our conversation, she talks about the role of bringing current events into the workplace, and how to incorporate our whole selves along with the work of the organization so that team members can have mutual understanding and connection with each other. We discuss the difficulty of DEI and the importance of doing it anyway, and how to lean into those difficult conversations. To connect with Gena, find her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gena-pemberton

Topics In This Episode

What brings Gena joy with DEI work
Ways to create connection so that people feel included
Intentionally making sure that the workplace isn’t separate from events taking place in the society we are in - Making sure we don’t work in a bubble
Creating a safe space for difficult conversations
Healthy inclusion - Dealing with difficult conversations in a healthy way
Putting anger to work
How to manage fear and worry around DEI work