Driving positive change and overall success through knowledge, understanding and action.

We are inviting tech executives, who want to learn about the positive impact diversity and inclusion practices can have on their tech organization, to participate in our Inclusive Organizations – Executive Training program. You will have the opportunity to learn about the success other leaders have seen while identifying your own personal barriers and the areas of growth that are possible for your organization.

This half-day intensive program was developed as part of TAP Network’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tech Project to to increase the attraction, retention and advancement of women, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, people of color and individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+ in B.C’s technology sector. Please review the prerequisites below to ensure eligibility.

Learning Outcomes:

• Articulate the competitive advantage of developing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive culture.
• Understand diversity and inclusion at a systematic level.
• Appreciate C-Suite’s strategic role, influence and decision-making power to substantially impact diversity and inclusion within their organization.
• Explain societal and organizational barriers for women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
• Through self-assessment, identify underlying beliefs, areas of privilege and personal bias.
• Articulate a compelling diversity, equity, and inclusion vision for your organization.
• Understand what other tech companies are doing for DE&I and learn from other leaders in the sector who are already taking the necessary actions and seeing success.
• Identify key strategies and tactics to open dialogue, reduce and overcome barriers, shift perspectives and promote diversity and inclusion.
• Identify one or more strategic actions you can take after the program to build a more diverse and inclusive organization.
• A commitment to take action through understanding your own assumptions and limitations or allocating the proper resources to make a change and move forward.

Prerequisites:

1. C-Suite level positions such as CEOs, COOs, CFOs, Founders and Board Directors in Canada’s Tech sector
2. Leaders should have an interest in:
   1. Understanding and challenging personal beliefs and perspectives
   2. Driving change through internal D&I initiatives
   3. Building a broader, more diverse network within and outside of their organization

Course Location: Delivered virtually via Zoom

Facilitators: Chanelle Tye, Chastity Davis-Alphonse, Stephanie Hollingshead, and Kathy Gibson

Facilitator Bios:

Chanelle Tye – Equity and Inclusion Collaborator & Facilitator

Chanelle Tye is an equity and inclusion facilitator, educator, and coach who specializes in the areas of anti-racism and LGBTQ2SIA+ inclusion. Her use of humour and interactive participant engagement ensure safe learning environments for novices and experts in social justice issues. She brings a deep knowledge of the dynamics of power and privilege within educational, corporate, and institutional contexts.

Chanelle has a Master of Education in Equity Studies from Simon Fraser University with a focus on improving outcomes for organizational equity, diversity, and inclusion training.

Chastity Davis-Alphonse – Indigenous Relations Consultant

Chastity Davis-Alphonse is a mixed heritage woman of First Nations and European descent. She is a proud member of the Tla’amin Nation, located in Powell River just off the beautiful Sunshine Coast of BC. Chastity strives to keep her sacred First Nations culture, traditions, and values incorporated into her modern-day life. She feels it is her life purpose to facilitate the building of bridges between Indigenous and nonindigenous people and has dedicated her professional and personal life to do so.

Chastity has worked with 125+ First Nation communities in British Columbia. She has also worked with several Indigenous and non-Indigenous companies and organizations; To name a few: BC Hydro, BC Lotto Corporation, TransCanada, New Gold, CTV, The Refinery Leadership Partners, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, Native Court workers (BC and Nova Scotia), Federal Department of Justice, and New Relationship Trust. Chastity has a proven ability to build strong, meaningful, and productive relationships between Indigenous communities, corporations, and government.

Chastity has completed an MA in Intercultural and International Communications, a BA in Professional Communications and a Diploma in Marketing Management and Professional Sales. Chastity has received two awards for her business, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Outstanding Business Achievement (BC Aboriginal Business Awards) and 40 Under 40, Business in Vancouver.

Stephanie Hollingshead – CEO, TAP Network

Stephanie is the CEO of TAP Network. She grew up on the land of the Syilx/Okanagan people and now lives and works on the traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations.

As a business executive with many years of international human resources experience in technology and professional services industries and board director experience with the not-for-profit sector, Stephanie is passionate about building community. Prior to her position with TAP Network, Stephanie was Vice President, Human Resources for Sierra Systems, a Canada-wide information technology and management consultant firm and Chair of the Board for Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. She currently volunteers as a director for The Eastside Cultural Centre, as vice chair of the Board.

Stephanie holds a Bachelors of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. In 2021 Stephanie was awarded Women of the Year Award: Community Builder from BC Business.

Kathy Gibson – President and CEO of Catchy Consulting Inc.

Kathy Gibson is the President and CEO of Catchy Consulting Inc. & the Sr. Consultant/PM on TAP Network’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tech Project. The scope of this nearly three-year project included several key pilots aimed at creating a more inclusive and diverse tech sector.

Prior to establishing the company over a decade ago, she held the role of Director of Human Resources, achieving “Best Employer” awards twice. Kathy has acted as a Sr. Project Manager, Consultant & Advisor on a number of influential projects, including multiple Provincial Sector Labor Market Partnership projects, one of which provided research, intel and strategy recommendations towards the launch of the BC Provincial Nominee Program’s Tech Pilot in 2017. Her expertise is relied upon among various Advisory Boards due to her exceptional understanding of the labor market, diversity and inclusion, immigration and talent strategies for the employee life cycle.

As an advocate and expert on pressing economic, social and technology issues, Kathy has had the opportunity to present at the HUMA parliamentary hearings on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and has been consulted with policy leaders on the design of global talent stream and federal policy. She is experienced in coordinating and executing events, stakeholder engagement roundtables and communication campaigns to maximize domestic workforce through elevating diversity and inclusion practices and enhancing government and organizational policies.