We kick off a new year and a new season of the People and Performance Podcast by considering ways to further DEI efforts in workplaces across the US and elsewhere. Bill and Chris are joined this time by Erika Broadwater, President of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) and EATA Manager/COE at Essity.Erika has nearly three decades of experience in Human Resources as Head of Talent Acquisition, Recruiting Manager, and Diversity &Inclusion Champion. She is experienced in the global talent workforce, talent mobility, retention, data analytics, recruiting operations, and performance management; supporting all lines of business and client groups. She is also the Employer Attractiveness & Talent Acquisition Leader/COE at Essity.Erika was listed in the 2021 Human Resource Executive® and HR Technology Conference® Top 100 HR Tech Influencers list, which recognizes individuals impacting the state and future direction of HR technology. Questions Include:According to an HR Policy Association survey in the Spring of 2021, covering nearly 400 HR leaders representing 11 million employees found that 85% said their organizations expanded inclusion activities and increased C-suite involvement in DE&I since George Floyd’s murder. Seventy percent have started or expanded unconscious bias training, while more than half moved to disaggregate workforce data to provide a better picture of employee demographics. The survey also found DE&I (and belonging) was the main concern for HR leaders, ranking ahead of strategizing for a post-COVID culture. As we begin 2022, what's really changed in the corporate world and what more needs to be done to improve DEI (DEBI) efforts in the workplace?You've obtained at least nine Professional Certifications including a certification as a Diversity & Inclusion trainer. Why is ongoing accredited professional development so important?The NAAAHR is a big supporter of career coaching. Have you had a career coach or mentor who's inspired you? If so, what lessons have you taken from them which you try to employ at NAAAHR and Essity?The role of AI in recruiting - AI is helping to find the best candidates based on skills and values but what are the risks associated with the unconscious bias of the tech creators? Can you share any examples of AI-powered tech that’s making a ----------Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line. Chris Bjorling, Co-host Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance. For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems. Bill Banham, Co-host Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London. Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool. Contact us to learn more!