Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Cross-Cultural Communication

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace is imperative for a sustainable, competitive and innovative company and society at large. Diversity also goes beyond the outward perception of a company – it includes how the internal structures work and signal the value systems of an organization’s management or leadership team.

This series is designed by Diversify to center Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. We look forward to seeing you!

In April, we will be discussing Cross-Cultural Communication in our monthly Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace session. Our speakers are Chisom Udeze, Economist, Founder of Diversify and DEIBJ Strategist, and Shahrzad Sheikh Rezaei, Global VP EMEA, ACE (EG’s Asian ERG), Iva Ogrizovic, Director at Diversify and People & Culture Partner at Diversify Consult, and moderated by Astrid Sundberg, Director of Impact Partnerships at The Conduit in Oslo.

This event is FREE to attend and will be held digitally. Please register below to receive the Zoom link.

About the speakers:

Shahrzad Sheikh Rezaei (She/Her)

As the Vice President for EMEA at Expedia Group’s ACE (Asian Community) IBG (Inclusion Business Group), Shahrzad leads efforts in fostering inclusion and diversity within the organization. Previously, she played a pivotal role as Global Partnerships Chair on the WELL board, Expedia Group’s Women’s Community, and spent nearly two years as a Global Inclusion and Diversity Manager.

In addition to her leadership roles, Shahrzad works as a Market Manager, overseeing hotel relations in the Benelux markets.

With Persian roots and experience living in eight countries, she is fluent in over five languages, bringing a unique global perspective to her professional life.

Shahrzad is truly passionate about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and frequently gives guest lectures at universities on the subject.

Chisom Udeze (She/Her)

A seasoned Economist and three-time founder, brings over 14 years of leadership experience, driving organizational change and sustainable impact. With a global perspective from working in seven countries across three continents, she excels in uncertain environments. Collaborating with entities like the European Commission and The United Nations, she is adept at building relationships with diverse stakeholders. As the founder of Diversify and Diversify Consult, she spearheads the development of sustainable Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) strategies for companies, governments, and civil society. Notably, Diversify launched the Diversify Nordics Summit in 2022, a significant conference advancing DEIB in the Nordics. Chisom’s commitment to inclusivity extends to HerSpace, a co-creation community, and HerTech, a Women in Tech incubator launched in 2022, prioritizing diversity in leadership. A thought leader in DEIB and advocate for mental health, her writings on these topics, featured in Forbes, underscore her influence.

Astrid Sundberg (She/Her)

Astrid Sundberg is Director of Impact Partnerships at The Conduit in Oslo.

She is a future-focused Leader and change champion, who specialises in Leadership within the startup and scale-up space. She has a long track record for driving organizational change and transformation, while building teams through local and global partnerships. With a fervent belief in Diverse and Inclusive Leadership, Astrid’s led a number of high-impact change initiatives and campaigns, working in a highly collaborative capacity across the Tech, Consultancy, Sustainability and STEM sectors. She recently led a high-impact programme for 1,000 global employees at online food retailer Oda. In 2022, she was recognised for outstanding commitment to the Norwegian Diversity and Inclusion field, with a BLAZE Trailblazer Award.

Astrid gives her spare time to providing workshops, advisory, mentoring, and mental health advocacy with a particular emphasis on amplifying the inclusion of Women in Tech, Women from Immigrant Communities as well as mentoring women who have survived gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence. She is also a regular speaker, facilitator, and moderator, supporting several associations and organizations in the Nordics as well as a Board Advisor at Humans for Humans, a non-profit organization contributing to the awareness and eradication of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Iva Ogrizovic (She/Her)

Iva Ogrizovic is the Director at Diversify and People & Culture Partner at Diversify Consult. At Diversify Consult, Iva focuses on developing and implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) strategies and co-designs and delivers DEIB training and development programs. She is also the Program Director for Diversify’s non-profit arm, where she co-creates and manages many of its initiatives including, but not limited to, The Blaze Inclusion Award, The Annual Gala, various Mentorship Programs and Entrepreneurial Incubators and Accelerators. With a Master’s in Philosophy and Comparative Literature, Iva’s background includes cultural event management, theater, and TV production. She is passionate about professional and personal development as well as empowering people to realize and use their potential for positive life changes.