Race at Work

After hosting Race at Work for its first three seasons, Porter Braswell, Founder and CEO of 2045 Studio, sits down as a guest on the podcast for the first time and shares how he began Race at Work back in 2020. Porter also talks with Channa about early experiences from his career in finance that led him to discover his passion for uplifting professionals of color.  He then discusses his latest company, 2045 Studio, an organization that helps companies retain and promote their professionals of color by working with them to build inclusive workplace cultures.  

Janine Ting Jansen, Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Lead at Organon talks about her 20-plus-years working in DEI, and shares how the field has changed over the past two decades. Then, she discusses her background as a Mexican and Chinese American, first-generation college graduate, and native New Yorker, and shares how her identity and experiences have influenced the way she navigates corporate America. Janine also gives advice to company leaders who want to support their diverse employees and explores why representation matters, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.  

Two Partners from True Search, Keri Gavin and Gina Barge, sit down with Channa to discuss the importance and implications of diversity in executive recruiting. Keri starts off the episode by talking about the importance of investing in underrepresented talent and shares why companies need to be intentional when it comes to building inclusive organizations. Next, Gina shares how the executive recruitment industry has evolved over the past 20 years when it comes to the sourcing and supporting of diverse talent.  

Bertrand Kimper, Global Head of DEI at Kenvue, sits down with Channa to talk about how DEI practices are shifting as society evolves.  He discusses his experiences working and living in different countries, and explores how and why inclusive work cultures provide companies with distinct advantages, no matter where they're located in the world. Bertrand also explains about the strategic pillars that guide his work at Kenvue and shares his hopes for the future of DEI at work.  

While many are concerned about recent developments in artificial intelligence, Doug Melville, CEO of JODIE AI, talks with Channa about how his company is using the power of AI to create inclusive leaders who are prepared to navigate the complexities of today's changing workforce. Doug also reflects on his journey as a Chief Diversity Officer, and shares what he learned throughout his professional journey as he explored different roles and cultures.