Introducing the amazing Tyjondah who talks to us about how to be more inclusive, the importance of finding your purpose and how game-changing mentorship can be.
Tyjondah is the Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at OLG where she has worked for an outstanding 23+ years. After graduating from the University of Windsor with a B.A. in Psychology, she began working in gaming before moving to Customer Relations, then Marketing, next Municipal Relations and on to DEI.
She is a perfect example of trying out different roles and responsibilities until you find the right fit and, as she puts it, ‘work’ no longer feels like ‘work’.
“You are what you practice, not what you believe” – Louis Farakan
Being the ‘only’ has been my most significant barrier. People cannot picture what they have never experienced.
Research and confidence! Do the work to find and appreciate the value of your work. Then practice asking for what you want, so you have the confidence when the time comes.
Self awareness, social awareness and empathy.
Letting go of fear, practicing for what you deserve and working toward your goals every single day.
Well, firstly, it’s the right thing to do but mostly because in this day an age where the competitive advantage is the engagement of your people, women are more effective at empathy and people centric approaches. Hire more women to keep your organizations competitive!
Mentorship has played a tremendous role in my career. It has given me the confidence and the knowledge to navigate the corporate world. It also opened my network for more folks to see my talents. I wouldn’t be where I am today with out the great mentorship from some fabulous, brilliant people. I continue to be mentored to this day.
By checking in and collaborating. Asking the questions: Have we looked at every lens? Are we missing anything? I constantly ask folks to call each other in. Be brave to tell each other to do better.
You are enough, do you, everyone else is taken. Find your purpose and find a career that aligns to that purpose, that’s when ‘work’ no longer feels like ‘work’.
Be allies for one another! Especially for women of colour who are often silenced or bullied. Form communities of safe spaces for women’s voices to be heard and then do something about what you have heard.
Yes. We are all leaders in our own way. We need to each use our spheres of influence to lead with compassion and be the changes we want to see.
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