Join us on Intent to Impact as we explore PagerDuty's approach to fostering an inclusive culture through DEI and Employee Resource Group (ERG) initiatives with Carmel Ulbrick, Head of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and ERGs. Carmel shares her transition from technical learning to leading impactful DEI programs, highlighting key values and successful initiatives like mentorship and leadership workshops. Discover strategies to promote psychological safety, adapt to remote work, support employees during layoffs, and enhance job satisfaction and engagement. This episode offers practical tips and insights into leveraging ERGs and data analytics to continuously evolve company culture.
Carmel's Bio
Carmel Ulbrick is an experienced professional specializing in culture development and equitable systems change, with a background in learning & development, organizational development, and DEI initiatives. Passionate about human-centered work, she leverages her expertise to create inclusive environments and drive impactful, transformative change within organizations.
You can find Carmel here.
Key Takeaways
- Psychological Safety and Trust are Paramount: Carmel emphasizes the importance of psychological safety and trust as the foundation of any authentic connection at PagerDuty. Establishing trust, being present, and having heart are core values that foster an environment where employees feel safe to express themselves openly within their ERGs and across the company.
- Adaptability in Remote and Hybrid Work Environments: In response to remote and hybrid work models, PagerDuty has adapted DEI and ERG strategies to maintain a strong sense of community among globally dispersed teams. This includes regular virtual events, asynchronous activities, and leveraging virtual platforms to ensure inclusivity and meaningful engagement across various time zones.
- Leveraging Data and Member Feedback: Carmel highlights the significance of listening to employees and using data analytics to inform and evolve ERG initiatives at PagerDuty. By actively listening to the unique needs of underrepresented groups and validating proposed solutions, they ensure inclusivity and overall employee satisfaction. Their approach includes incorporating ERG member sentiment into strategic planning, which helps in creating relevant, educational, and inspiring programming that supports employee growth and satisfaction.
In this episode, we cover:
- [00:53] Carmel's Background and Journey
- [02:56] Impact of ERGs on Employee Engagement
- [04:09] Measuring ERG Impact
- [05:24] Aligning DEI with Business Goals
- [09:44] Psychological Safety and Belonging
- [11:05] Adapting to Remote and Hybrid Work
- [14:01] Creating Inclusive and Flexible Spaces
- [15:17] Supporting Diverse Needs within ERGs
- [17:22] Maintaining Engagement During Uncertain Times
- [20:44] Future Plans for DEI and ERG Initiatives
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