Episode 2 | Season 2: What are the headwinds affecting DEI? And what are some strategies to address them?

Steps to Change: A Learning & Development Podcast

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On this episode of Steps to Change we’re exploring the current headwinds that are challenging DEI efforts and ways to address them. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts have been under a lot of scrutiny lately, from leadership, reduced budgets, a flurry of Executive Orders and more. But that doesn’t mean that DEI is simply going away. On this episode we’re joined by Evelyn Espinal, the founder and CEO of IDEAS GLOBAL. She shares her insight and wisdom on ways to navigate these challenges and how to continue developing the work.
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Evelyn Espinal: CEO / Founder IDEAS GLOBAL
As a thought-leader in the Human Resources industry, Evelyn is a senior executive focused on Organization Design, Leadership Development, Change Management, Executive Coaching, Cultural Transformation and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. As a senior executive she has transformatively impacted Fortune 50 multinational companies spanning six continents (Unilever, BlackRock, J&J, Pfizer, Novartis, Verizon); over 200k employees across 100 countries; and managed direct leadership of the talent agenda for a 21.4-billion-dollar supply chain.

Notably, she served as the Chief HR Officer for Mexico and the Caribbean which was a 2 Billion dollar business with nearly 10,000 employees and one of Unilever’s top 10 growth markets. Most recently she served four years as Vice President and Global Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Unilever, shaping the agenda for 149k employees, the Executive Leadership Team, Human Resources and Business Resource Groups.
Evelyn has earned a master’s degree in Organization Development and Applied Behavioural Science from American University with a concentration on Social Reform and Diversity. This reflects her love of learning which gives her a valuable breadth of perspective on innovative practices which she leverages to bring new ideas to life. She firmly believes that success is powered by the Diverse Opinions, Skill Sets & Life Experience of the people who make the products not just the ones who make decisions. Her work strives to enable an environment where all individuals are treated fairly & respectfully, celebrating their human uniqueness.

Evelyn is a bilingual, bi-cultural US born, cis gendered afro-latina with chocolate brown skin tone and curly brown hair. She is the proud daughter of hard working, non-english speaking immigrant citizens who have lived in the United States for over 60 years. She began her career at the New York City Mayor’s office for Children and Families where she established a coalition of non-profit organizations dedicated to fostering social justice activism. She has been recognized by the Association of Latino Professionals of America and by People Magazine En Español as one of the 25 Most Powerful Latinas. Evelyn lives in Central New Jersey with her husband of 23 years, Luis, and their 17 year old child Fern.