Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practitioners are brought into
companies as facilitators and disruptors of systems and mindsets. However, DEI
requires active engagement from everyone, especially those leaders who hold
positions of influence. Additionally, some of us decide to engage in DEI because
we are directly impacted by practices of exclusion and some of us because we
have recognized that we hold power and privilege that needs to be use to create
more humane workplaces.
In this DEI Discussion, we talked about steps and practices that organizations were implementing to walk towards their DEI promises. In this session, you can learn tools and hear experiences that can inspire your involvement with DEI in your workplace and/or academic institution.
Our panelists:
Sabina Gebczyk, Senior Manager Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Global) at Ingredion
Dr. Alexandria Graves, Direcor of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Agriculture and Life Science at North Carolina State University
Learn more about them:
Sabina Gebczyk is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion not only in the workplace but also in our communities. She currently serves as a Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Ingredion Inc. She is responsible for leading design, development and execution of Ingredion's global DEI initiative, and ensuring alignment to the business goals and objective.
Prior to joining Ingredion Inc. she served as Diversity and Inclusion Project Manager at Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). In her role, Sabina worked closely with the senior management to develop and sustain an environment of inclusion and also managed the CHA’s Community Alliance partnership. Prior to joining CHA, Sabina had six years of non-profit work experience in international fundraising, refugee resettlement, housing, and global development.
Sabina was born and raised in Poland, and immigrated to the U.S. on her own when she was eighteen to seek better education opportunities. Sabina holds a M.S. in Peace Operations from George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government and B.A. in International Relations from Webster University. She serves on the board of New Leaders Council Chicago Chapter.
Dr. Alexandria Graves is the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University and an Associate Professor of Soil and Environmental Microbiology. Dr. Graves leads comprehensive diversity, inclusion, and community engagement efforts and strategies to improve cultural competency within the college. She works with students, faculty, and staff to cultivate a shared understanding of diversity and inclusion as essential drivers of innovative excellence. Dr. Graves typically introduces herself by sharing some of her overlapping identities that intersect and contribute to the unique person before you. Some of her identities include:
•First generation college student
•Grew up in Rural NC (Caswell County)
•Conservative
•Associate Professor of Soil and Environmental Microbiology
•Christian
•ADHD
•Depression/Anxiety
•Bipolar Disorder
•Loves sweet tea and believes unsweetened tea is blasphemy
•A proud single mom of an 18 year old, 2020 HS graduate who’s heading to Dr. Graves’ alma matter Winston-Salem State University
•A proud single mom of a 7 year old headed to the second grade
Dr. Graves is a certified affirmative action professional (CAAP). The CAAP training involved courses in Equal Employment Opportunity Law, Complaint Processing, Counseling and Resolution, and Developing and implementing an Affirmative Action Program for Women and Minorities. Dr. Graves holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Winston-Salem State University as well as a M.S. and Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences from Virginia Tech.
In this DEI Discussion, we talked about steps and practices that organizations were implementing to walk towards their DEI promises. In this session, you can learn tools and hear experiences that can inspire your involvement with DEI in your workplace and/or academic institution.
Our panelists:
Sabina Gebczyk, Senior Manager Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Global) at Ingredion
Dr. Alexandria Graves, Direcor of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Agriculture and Life Science at North Carolina State University
Learn more about them:
Sabina Gebczyk is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion not only in the workplace but also in our communities. She currently serves as a Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Ingredion Inc. She is responsible for leading design, development and execution of Ingredion's global DEI initiative, and ensuring alignment to the business goals and objective.
Prior to joining Ingredion Inc. she served as Diversity and Inclusion Project Manager at Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). In her role, Sabina worked closely with the senior management to develop and sustain an environment of inclusion and also managed the CHA’s Community Alliance partnership. Prior to joining CHA, Sabina had six years of non-profit work experience in international fundraising, refugee resettlement, housing, and global development.
Sabina was born and raised in Poland, and immigrated to the U.S. on her own when she was eighteen to seek better education opportunities. Sabina holds a M.S. in Peace Operations from George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government and B.A. in International Relations from Webster University. She serves on the board of New Leaders Council Chicago Chapter.
Dr. Alexandria Graves is the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University and an Associate Professor of Soil and Environmental Microbiology. Dr. Graves leads comprehensive diversity, inclusion, and community engagement efforts and strategies to improve cultural competency within the college. She works with students, faculty, and staff to cultivate a shared understanding of diversity and inclusion as essential drivers of innovative excellence. Dr. Graves typically introduces herself by sharing some of her overlapping identities that intersect and contribute to the unique person before you. Some of her identities include:
•First generation college student
•Grew up in Rural NC (Caswell County)
•Conservative
•Associate Professor of Soil and Environmental Microbiology
•Christian
•ADHD
•Depression/Anxiety
•Bipolar Disorder
•Loves sweet tea and believes unsweetened tea is blasphemy
•A proud single mom of an 18 year old, 2020 HS graduate who’s heading to Dr. Graves’ alma matter Winston-Salem State University
•A proud single mom of a 7 year old headed to the second grade
Dr. Graves is a certified affirmative action professional (CAAP). The CAAP training involved courses in Equal Employment Opportunity Law, Complaint Processing, Counseling and Resolution, and Developing and implementing an Affirmative Action Program for Women and Minorities. Dr. Graves holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Winston-Salem State University as well as a M.S. and Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences from Virginia Tech.