The DEI Imperative: A Commitment We Cannot Afford to Abandon Recently, the significance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace has been brought into sharp focus. As leaders, we hold a responsibility not just to our company’s bottom line, but to the very individuals who help us meet those financial goals. DEI isn’t just a trend, but a vital component of our organizational fabric that demands our ongoing commitment. June is Pride Month, a time when visibility and support for the LGBTQ+ community are celebrated across the globe. The month is a poignant reminder of the strid ..read more

An Interview with CADIA's Founder and CEO, Cheryl Thompson -- What International Women's Day Means to Me This interview by Reuters with Cheryl Thompson is republished with permission. Q: What does International Women's Day mean to you? A:  IWD is learning about, celebrating and honoring the women that paved the way for us, it is about lifting other women up and raising awareness to what we can bring to the bottom line, and it is about inviting men to be our allies. Q:  When you began your career, did you imagine that you would become a female leader in a male-dominated industry/pro ..read more

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.— Marcus Garvey Black History Month is a joyous time of celebration where we investigate the stories of individuals who faced and overcame great opposition and challenges. When I read Black history, I find myself both curious and moved by the triumphs and tragedies that our people have experienced. While the remembrance of the past can be empowering, it can also be painful. Black History Month is a time to recognize that the journey to the mountaintop is just as important as the moment when ..read more

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s unwavering commitment to civil rights and his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech continue to resonate across generations, inspiring us to work for a more just and inclusive society. While Dr. King's focus was on broader societal issues, his principles are applicable to various all of us…in all industries. Diversity Drives Innovation: In the transportation industry, embracing diversity goes beyond promoting equal representation; it becomes a catalyst for innovation. Just as Dr. King envisioned a society where differences are celebrated, our industry thrives when it wel ..read more

Creating an equitable workforce demands a hard look at all parts of the employee lifecycle. It’s not solely about recruiting; but about thoughtful attention to the hiring funnel and beyond—from sourcing diverse talent to providing an inclusive employee experience. Diversity in the workplace advances an organization in many ways. It gives you access to a greater range of talent—not just the talent that belongs to a particular worldview or ethnicity or some other restricting definition. It helps provide insight into the needs and motivations of all of your client or customer base, rat ..read more

At CADIA this year we have been hearing a lot about making DEI sustainable within organizations.  Recently our founder and CEO, Cheryl Thompson gave a blog-worthy talk to the MEMA Diversity Council entitled Top Strategies to ensure your DEI strategy is sustainable.  We’ve pulled the highlights together here – take a look and let us know what additional strategies have worked for you. Widen the Circle: To make DEI work, it is essential to expand the circle of inclusion. By including a broad range of voices, organizations can tap into a wealth of ideas and innovation.&nbs ..read more

Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) refer to a range of conditions that affect an individual's cognitive functioning and adaptive skills. These disabilities can have a significant impact on a person's ability to communicate, learn and perform everyday tasks. IDD can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic conditions and brain injury, and are typically classified into mild, moderate and profound IDD. There is no cure but appropriate support can help individuals to reach their full potential. IDD affects 6.5 million people in the U.S. This is an often overlooked demog ..read more

You have likely seen this or a similar triangle.  It depicts the percentage of women in the automotive industry at entry level (the foundation of the triangle) up through executive ranks. Now, the “triangle” imagery isn’t perfect, it’s obviously a lagging indicator; nonetheless it tells a story. The story goes like this:  Statistically speaking, over a woman’s career she will not advance as far as her male counterparts. The reasons are many; pressure as a caregiver resulting in less career focus; demands for advancement that do not fit many women’s need for flexibility; lack of rep ..read more

  Black History Month creates a quandary for some in the automotive industry. We all want to recognize, celebrate, and honor the contributions and achievements made by Black people everywhere, to celebrate racial pride, and to examine our commitment to ideals of equity, freedom, and racial justice. On the other hand, we feel as though we are not doing enough as organizations to really foster diverse and equitable cultures. We don’t want to be vocal on social media during Black History Month while our employees wonder why we are not putting in the work to create inclusive cultures a ..read more

In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. released his third book “Why We Can’t Wait,” which captures how activism by African Americans from the spring and summer of that year accelerated social change. “Why We Can’t Wait” was written at the conclusion of key national events that exposed deep racial injustice and vast economic inequality to help wake many Americans from slumber. “Human beings with all their faults and strengths constitute the mechanism of a social movement,” he wrote. “They must make mistakes and learn from them, make more mistakes, and learn anew. They must taste defeat as well a ..read more