5 Things / Reflections

This is my last 5 Things of the year, but please connect with me on LinkedIn. I post things over there that don't end up here -- like this award I won!!!


I've talked to a lot of people who were really disappointed in 2021, having entered it with such high hopes after the revolutionary DEI commitments to racial justice made in 2020. I understand that, in most organizations, the needle has barely moved in terms of diversity representation. My metric is a bit different, though.


I measure progress through the feedback I hear from clients like this: 

Everyone walked away with "to do's" and "aha!' Moments". Following the training, I have seen behavior change as well. Many team members added pronouns to signature lines, we changed our new hire information form to allow for pronouns and I have heard folks in meetings say "Hey guys...I mean, hey team" and self-correct. Small changes that really add up to BIG wins.

People are doing the work. You are reading this because you are doing the work (or are aspiring to). It's a long game. And I'll be here to keep cheering you on.

5 Things is about good news and inspiration, so in that spirit, I'm sharing 5 of the themes that brought me the biggest hope in 2021.

  • 2021 brought us more authentic diverse representation in advertising. Some of my favorites are Luluemon's size-inclusive ads, the When Harry Met Santa ad for Posten Norway that went viral (thanks, Thor!), and Target's beautiful, inclusive holiday ad.

  • There are so many great new accessible products! I've written before about the new designs to the Olay jar lid, Degree deodorant, and Mastercard. These designs make it easier for people with disabilities to use the products...the things I take for granted.

  • This will catch on in the U.S. but more European companies are offering paid leave for fertility treatments, menopause, and miscarriage. These policies are typically accessible to all genders.

  • The first U.S. passport with a Gender X designation was issued! And several more U.S. states offer Gender X driver's licenses. The gender binary continues to be challenged, and I love it.

  • There's been massive investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The U.S.'s 107 HBCUs have received record-breaking donations, recruitment requests, and partnership opportunities with a goal to increase the pipeline of Black talent. This too, is a long game, but it's happening.

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Why & How to Share Gender Pronouns at Work

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5 Things / Word of the Year