Name: Rising Leaders | How to Overcome Bias and Succeed in Any Culture (EMEA)
Start: 2024-12-10T10:00:00+00:00
End: 2024-12-10T12:00:00+00:00

EMEA

Rising Leaders

Step into the world of leadership across cultures in this session.

Together, we will explore how cultural norms and biases influence leadership dynamics. You’ll learn how to recognize and navigate these challenges to become a more inclusive and effective leader.

Discover practical strategies to enhance your cultural intelligence and build stronger, more collaborative teams in any global setting. You’ll leave with actionable steps to overcome unconscious bias and excel in diverse environments.

Guest Speaker

Devi Virdi, former Vice President, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Culture, CBRE Group.

Devi will share her insights on how leaders successfully navigate bias to create inclusive teams that thrive across different cultural environments.

Engage with a seasoned executive, expand your network, and participate in thought-provoking breakout sessions.

Be sure to accept your calendar invitation to reserve your spot. We look forward to seeing you there!

Devi Virdi

CBRE Group

former Vice President, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Culture

As former Vice President and Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Culture, Devi ensured CBRE’s DE&I commitment and strategy were reflected throughout the company with measurable and sustained impact.

Before joining CBRE in 2024, Devi was the Group Head of DEI at Centrica, a Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 energy multinational company. Under her leadership, Centrica made diversity a strategic priority, resulting in a more inclusive workplace. Prior to her role at Centrica, Devi served as the Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Women in Hospitality & Travel-Tech and was previously the Regional Managing Director at a tier-one tech company. Devi’s influence extends beyond the corporate world where she serves as a Non-Executive Director with the Civil Service Sports Council in the UK and is a fellow at the Society of Leadership Fellows, St. George’s House, Windsor Castle.

Devi’s impactful work has been recognized by WeQual and The Bank of London Rainbow Honours. She was also named a top 75 most influential DEI EMEA leader by Hive Learning and a Top 50 Woman in the Travel Industry by WiNiT at the Global Business Travel Association.

Originally from Hong Kong, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management from the NSW University Sydney, Australia, and has resided in the UK for more than 27 years. Her cross-cultural insights have been instrumental in successfully leading global teams.

Devi was a Finalist in the People Category of the WeQual Awards, Europe, Middle East and Africa, 2024. She is also a lifetime member of WeQual Executives.

Emma Hicks

WeQual

VP of Membership & Programs

Emma is an experienced strategic leader, specializing in professional development at C-suite and senior management levels. With a track record for delivering solutions across a broad range of global sectors and industries, Emma brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for continuing professional development.

Emma is a Fellow and Advisory Board Member of the Learning Performance Institute (LPI), holds certifications from the Institute of Directors (IoD) and Association for Talent Development (ATD), and is a former Education Committee member at the European Confederation of Directors Associations (ecoDa).

Emma spent nearly a decade with the Institute of Directors leading the strategic direction of the IoD’s global professional development courses including the prestigious Chartered Director qualification. After leaving the IoD, Emma joined HR technology and services company, Connectr, initially as interim COO, and then permanently as Chief Commercial Officer. Now, Emma is Director of Global Membership and Programs at WeQual, an organisation on a mission to drive equality in the world’s largest organisations. Emma’s role at WeQual aligns beautifully with her core values and purpose – supporting women and all talent to achieve their career goals, and organisations to thrive through inclusive leadership practice.
Emma also spent five years with Reed Learning as their Strategic Partnership Manager, working with over 100 clients, external partners, and awarding bodies. During this time, Emma also designed and delivered learning programs, including internationally recognized qualifications.

Outside of WeQual, Emma has a young family (8-year-old Joshua, 6-year-old Jasmine, and a recent ‘furbaby’ addition, Monty the cockapoo), who keep her equally busy, active and above all grateful.