Careers in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Do you want to be leading change and making a difference?

Join us in a conversation with Arts alumni who are leading the way in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sector.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is certainly not a new concept, but over the last five to ten years, corporate Canada has certainly seen a growth in this area of work. More importantly we've seen a growth of DEI professionals in the top echelons of many large and medium sized companies. What career paths are out there? How does one become a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professional? What are some of the current trends in the sector?

Meet your Arts alumni!

Seema Bakthula (BA '10, Economics)

Seema Bakthula is a seasoned inclusion and diversity leader with experience in designing and executing enterprise wide inclusion strategies within the Technology, Transportation and Communications sectors. Seema has also held roles in Leadership Development, Management Consulting, Organizational Effectiveness and Learning.

Seema is also the Vice-chair of the board at SAWC. SAWC is a not for profit that empowers and opens doors so women can live up to their social, financial and cultural potential. SAWC provides settlement services, provides resources to survivors of human trafficking and counseling to survivors of domestic violence.

*Bio prepared by the Arts Advancement Office.

Stephanie Braid (BA ’09, Psychology)

Stephanie Braid (she/her/hers) is the Director of Inclusion & Diversity with KPMG in Canada. In this role, she leads the inclusion, diversity and mental health strategy and portfolio for the company, contributing at both a national and global level.

A passionate advocate for the advancement of equity-seeking groups, Stephanie’s purpose in life has always been centered around people. She is passionate about removing barriers and creating the right environment for everyone to reach their full potential - specifically those who have historically been excluded in society, the workplace and in leadership roles.

As a well-rounded professional, Stephanie brings 10 years of diverse experience in talent management, equity, inclusion & diversity, total rewards, data & analytics, mental health, employee engagement, employee relations, and more working in the professional services and retail sector. She has obtained her Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and Certified Compensation Professional designations.

Stephanie sits on KPMG Global’s Inclusion & Diversity Steering Group. She is a part of the KPMG Foundation, Ascend Canada’s Chief Inclusion Officer Forum, and ACCES Employment Board of Advisors for their Human Resources bridging program for Newcomers to Canada. She lives in Kitchener, Ontario, with her partner and her fur baby. In her spare time, she can be found mentoring other professionals and Newcomers to Canada, cooking up new vegetarian meals, and planning epic outdoor adventures for a post- COVID-19 future.

Cassie Myers (BA ’18, Peace and Conflict Studies)

Cassie Myers is founder and CEO of Lunaria, a company that combines intuitive training and analytics for organizations to implement and grow diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Cassie is a Waterloo-based entrepreneur that is passionate about women’s rights, Black rights and growing inclusion and equity in corporate Canada.

When she is not leading Lunaria, she is a support line volunteer at the Sexual Assault Support Centre in Waterloo Region, a mentor at Technovations, and a board member at YWCA-KW. Cassie is currently completing her Master’s thesis at Wilfred Laurier University on the impacts of anti-Black racism and whiteness on the visibility of Black women in the workplace.

Cassie was named as one of 2021’s 50 Changemakers (entrepreneurs, academics and executives) in The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine on those who are striving to find better solutions for challenges faced by Canada.