All things DEI with Vijay and Tara

What do we mean when we say DEI? Are the companies rolling back their DEI programs making substantive changes? And what is DEI going to look like under the new administration?

In this episode of Toot or Boot, we welcome back guests Vijay Pendakur and Tara Turk-Haynes for an in-depth discussion on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the workplace. We discuss three  articles, including Vijay's own HBR piece on reframing diversity's value proposition, as we explore how DEI initiatives are evolving in today's climate.

The episode tackles current DEI discourse through three main articles:
1. "Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity" from HBR, written by guest Vijay Pendakur, which explores new ways to understand and communicate diversity's impact on organizations
2. "Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint for Your DEI Plan in 2025," which presents a possibly controversial perspective on the future of corporate DEI initiatives
3. "What Trump's Second Term Could Mean for DEI" from HBR, which outlines strategic models for organizations to maintain inclusive practices in potentially challenging political environments

Join us as we examine the broader implications for the future of workplace DEI initiatives.

Connect with Vijay Pendakur
Dr. Vijay Pendakur is the author of the highly anticipated book, “The Alchemy of Talent: Leading Teams to Peak Performance.” A true multi-sector organizational leader, Vijay has held senior roles at four companies: Zynga, VMware, Dropbox and Salesforce. He has also served as the Dean of Students at Cornell University. In his time at Cornell, he was named Presidential Advisor for Diversity and Equity, as part of a new approach to campus-wide transformation at the largest Ivy League institution. A widely recognized thought leader, Dr. Pendakur’s writing has been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes,  and Time. Vijay is a board advisor with Ezra Coaching, Enterprise Ireland, and Wisq. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Katie, a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and his two young daughters, Mira and Savi.

Find Vijay here: www.vijaypendakur.com
More about his bestselling new book: https://a.co/d/bSb1lxh
For Fractional DEI Advising: https://www.vijaypendakur.com/fractional-dei-advising
Or sign up for his newsletter: Quick tips for leading high performance teams.

Connect with Tara Turk-Haynes
Tara is a first generation college graduate, corporate worker, and the first of her immediate family to reach an executive level.  She is a Talent, Engagement, DEIB, Internal Comms operator and strategist. She has worked in house and as a consultant, helping other businesses develop and grow with equity embedded so they have a higher chance of having a strong, sustainable operations for the future.
Find Tara at Equity Activations.
You can also connect with Tara on LinkedIn
Or sign up for her newsletter: https://equityact.beehiiv.com/subscribe


Read the articles:
Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity
Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint For Your DEI Plan In 2025
What Trump’s Sec