Getting DE&I Back on the Table - Degmo Daar

Accessible Disruption - Strategy Table

Connect with Degmo Daar today: https://www.linkedin.com/in/degmodaar/
Learn more about Degmo Daar's Work: https://noord-consulting.com/about/

In episode of the Accessible Disruption podcast, the team from Strategy Table welcomed guest Degmo Daar for a deep dive into the current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Daar, a DEI Strategist and social entrepreneur, brings extensive experience in using systems thinking to embed inclusive strategies across various industries. Based just north of Stockholm, Sweden, and of Somali heritage, Daar described her work as centring on rethinking structures and challenging assumptions to embed equity into leadership and strategy. Her passion for DEI is deeply personal, stemming from her own experiences as a Black Muslim woman navigating systems not designed for her.

The discussion explored the significant backlash DEI initiatives are currently facing, which Daar interprets as a sign that DEI is succeeding in its ultimate goal: challenging power. While many global companies are rebranding their DEI efforts or cutting roles out of fear, particularly influenced by trends in the United States, Daar emphasizes that the fight for justice has always existed and simply takes new forms. The conversation also highlighted global differences, noting that while the U.S. has an open dialogue about race, other countries like Sweden do not collect race data, which creates systemic issues around ethnicity despite advancements in gender equality. The podcast participants discussed the importance of addressing both apparent and non-apparent differences, such as neurodiversity, advocating for universal design where workplaces are built for everyone to thrive from the outset, rather than as an afterthought.

Ultimately, the episode framed DEI not as a charitable act, but as a fundamental redesign of unjust systems. Daar advised that changing minds requires education and conversation, not confrontation, by seeking to understand the logic behind resistance. A central theme was the idea of "redistributing power," clarifying that sharing power does not mean losing it. The hosts and guests concluded with a call to action for listeners in positions of influence to use their voices, as silence protects the status quo. They stressed that businesses must be willing to tear down and rebuild broken systems with purpose at their core, because in the end, survival is not mandatory for businesses that refuse to evolve.