Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader, Executive Coach & Culture Curator. Previously, she led global DEI efforts for Google, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Bristol-Myers Squibb to help inform and guide corporate leadership.
Throughout her career, Wema has led teams of more than 85 people and developed multiple Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Councils to build internal capabilities related to belonging, unconscious bias, cultural competence, and global leadership.
As a DE&I thought leader, Wema served as a member of the Coqual (Center for Talent Innovation) Hidden Brain Drain Task Force where she provided best practice D&I research working across global markets in China, India, and the US. In addition, Wema is a National Member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and a sought-after speaker on DE&I topics for organizations including The Conference Board, Working Mother, and Diversity Best Practices.
Wema is also an executive coach who holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and a Master’s-level Certificate in Organizational Change Management both from New School University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University and a certification as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) through the Human Resources Certification Institute.
In this keynote session, Wema demonstrates how to harness diversity to unlock an organization’s skills and abilities through inclusive practices leading to increased employee engagement and collaboration, breakthrough thinking, and enhanced innovation. Wema also discusses unconscious bias, how to create a culture of belonging, overcoming unconscious bias, cultural competence, and global leadership.
During this keynote presentation, Wema focuses on developing an organization’s capabilities to leverage the unique abilities, skills, and leadership qualities of women through sponsorship, advocacy, and intentional inclusion.
Wema explains the critical link between emotional intelligence and inclusion. This discussion explores the practical ways to build EQ in leaders, activate inclusion, and promote equity to address racial injustice and embed equitable practices in organizational culture. Wema also discusses unconscious bias: how to identify it, how to acknowledge it, how to overcome it, and how to prevent it.
Keynote discussing practical ways for Black women to turn their perceived obstacles into valuable assets to become extraordinary professionals, and leaders enabling them to thrive and succeed.