"Equity Unplugged" was an honest conversation about the shifting U.S. energy workforce. We thank Baker Hughes for hosting.
This gathering brought together professionals from various energy companies united in their shared interest in creating truly equitable workplaces that go beyond surface-level diversity initiatives. The event aimed to spark genuine change and transformation rather than merely ticking boxes.
Special thanks to Peter Durand with Alphachimp for graphic recording the workshop.
We started by discussing organizational and individual change and the process we experience as we navigate it. And then we put the elephant in the room that everyone wanted to discuss: equity and what it means. Special thanks to Landi Spearman for delivering a stand out keynote!
Then we dug even deeper and examined what does equity mean. What does it mean to people? What is the purpose of a corporation and does equity matter? How? We discussed openly that DEI is on the chopping block. Is equity important for stakeholders and not just shareholders?
Thanks to the expert panel of Lemar Marie Brown, Victor V. Wright, Carol Lee Andersen, Julie Shochat, and Juliana Garaizar, who shared their insights and experiences, shed light on the importance of workplace equity and the need for comprehensive action to address systemic barriers and foster an inclusive culture.
There is still so much work to be done. Equity is evolving and it will take honest conversations, build meaningful connections, and be prepared to do the hard work to dismantle systemic challenges.
Equity work necessitates open and cross-level discussions on systemic challenges and solutions, recognizing that "equity" involves delivering value to shareholders, stakeholders and communities at large. Equity Unplugged emphasized the significance of transcending tokenism and prioritizing systemic change. To drive meaningful progress beyond gender and race, we must equip our leaders with the necessary tools and data. By doing so, we can actively shift the paradigm and foster an environment where equal opportunities and fair treatment are the foundation of our workplaces.
Equity Unplugged underscored the need to continue working together and sharing best practices to make the energy industry and great place to work.