How our colleagues put diversity and inclusion into action

By Sunita Holzer

The journey toward meaningful change often begins with individual actions.?

Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that allows all employees to feel welcomed and empowered to do their best work is what we strive to do. It’s an important aspect of how we work together and care for each other.??

It’s team members like Whitney Thompson, ITIL , Shani C. , and Zora Senat who champion and live out these efforts to create a better culture for all. Through their stories, we gain insights into how personal commitment and organizational support can drive impactful change.

As a leader on our Information Systems and Technology team, Whitney?believes in the power of mentorship. Whitney reflected on his experience as a young African American man and created what he wished he’d had: a mentorship program that helps younger IS&T professionals navigate the corporate landscape. Effective mentorship program can develop soft, transferrable skills, and become more confident and comfortable asking questions and sharing opinions with other people.?

Mentorship goes both ways. Whitney learns as much from his mentees as they do from him. Getting to know who someone is outside of what they do helps him lead with empathy and provides tangible, real-world examples that are applicable in their daily lives.

Shani?is an analytics wizard, but what she has found to be most rewarding is the opportunity to lead and participate in two of our employee network groups. Often the only Black woman in the room with any organization she’s worked at, Shani brings a unique perspective to her employee network experience.?

“When you look at the hard work it takes to make sustainable change, getting employee networks involved is key,” she said. “Unless you understand the problems faced by these groups, you can’t advocate for them in rooms they’re not in. It’s important to get involved at any level, not just as a leader, so you become an ally and advocate for that community. It’s not a massive commitment — it’s a way to have your voice heard.”

Zora’s journey within Marketing Solutions is a testament to the transformative power of embracing challenges. “My involvement has come down to saying yes when an opportunity presents itself. I’ll always say yes.”

Shortly after joining Verisk and attending a diversity and inclusion panel, Zora?was so impressed with the conversation that she sought to find out how she could get more involved with our efforts.?

“I knew?I was in the right place,” she said. “If you’re not in the right place, then you know that anything you’re trying to accomplish personally or as a business is unlikely to come to fruition.”

For Zora, hiring diverse talent is how she seeks to bring about an inclusive workplace.

“We need to put a lot of focus and emphasis on how we hire and who we hire,” she said. “We need to bring in more energy that is different and unique from various walks of life. We’re doing that at Verisk, and it’s wonderful.”?

Individuals play a critical role in driving diversity and inclusion initiatives forward. As we reflect on their journeys, let's ask ourselves: What actions can we take?to create a more?diverse?and inclusive workplace??By embracing the spirit of empathy, empowerment, and resilience embodied by Whitney, Shani, and Zora, we can forge a path toward a more diverse and inclusive future.