ON International Women’s Day, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation launched Talk It Forward, a new podcast using the power of dialogue to advance equity and diversity in the workplace.
Hosted by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, with support from the City of Vancouver, the show is fronted by Vancouver Park Board Fleet Supervisor, Carla Grimann, who started her career over 18 years ago as an automotive apprentice when women were an extreme minority in trades and operations.
While workplaces have come a long way in the last two decades, there is still work to be done for everyone to feel included and empowered every time they show up to work – and that starts with conversations, says Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.
Across six episodes, Carla will talk to people at all levels of work – from on-the-ground operations to senior management – about the challenges women and people with marginalized genders face when progressing into leadership, and common barriers found all too often in today’s workplaces including: unconscious bias; micro-aggressions; sexism; and harassment.
Through these candid conversations, the podcast will explore what works and what doesn’t when it comes to creating a more inclusive and productive workplace, and how to drive positive change from within.
“I’ve always been passionate about championing women into leadership. Talking about all of the ugly things that hold us back is the only way we can be open, transparent and work together on changing those things for the better,” said Grimann. “It’s a tough conversation but one that I feel so strongly about having, so that my colleagues, my peers and my daughter can advance and progress in careers that lift them up instead of keeping them down.”
The podcast is the result of Grimann’s participation with Minerva BC’s ‘Women Leading the Way’ program to support women entering executive and supervisory roles, and encourage authentic and inclusive leadership.
Talk It Forward will air bi-weekly and can be found on Apple, Spotify and Google. For episode descriptions, transcripts and further info, visit: www.vancouver.ca/people-programs/talk-it-forward-podcast.aspx.
