Name: The DEI Backlash: A Global Perspective
Start: 2025-03-04T16:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-03-04T17:00:00+00:00

AMER, EMEA

The DEI Backlash: A Global Perspective 

Business

Click Here to Register

The conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion is shifting, and not just in the US.

With increased polarization and political pushback, businesses worldwide are rethinking their approach. Some are scaling back, some are doubling down, and others are adapting by embedding diversity into ‘business as usual’ without the DEI label. 

Join an expert panel of global Fortune CHROs, Talent, and DEI leaders* who are navigating this space right now. They’ll share first-hand insights on how businesses across different regions are responding: 

Who’s staying the course, who’s stepping back, and who’s changing the language?
How leadership teams are framing DEI to avoid backlash while keeping progress alive. 
The impact on hiring, leadership development and workplace culture. 
What this means for the future of DEI – not just in the US, but worldwide

Understanding how to navigate the political and corporate landscape has never been more critical. This roundtable brings together different voices, different strategies and real-world solutions for those leading the charge.

Seats are limited – secure yours now.

*Panelists confirmed include:

Tiffany Chown, VP Human Resources, Orica
Ranjani Vaidya, Group General Manager, Mirvac
Paddy Santosh, VP & Global Head of Learning, Olam Agri
Tamara Box, Partner, Head of Structured Finance, Reed Smith
Alberto de Armas, VP of Organization and Human Resources, CEMEX

Microsoft Teams has issues registering iPhone users. If you’d like to register for this event but are having difficulties, please contact events@wequal.com

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Olam Agri

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.

She 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, she 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.

Mark Bateman

WeQual

CEO, WeQual | Executive Coach | DEI Advocate

Mark Bateman is the CEO of WeQual, a global leader in inclusive leadership development, working with over 350 of the world’s largest companies to drive inclusion at the top. Under his leadership, WeQual has helped identify and develop C-suite-ready talent, with 36% of award winners now sitting on executive committees.

With extensive experience coaching senior executives and advising Fortune Global 1000 companies, Mark is a recognized authority on building high-performing, diverse leadership cultures. His work has shaped global DEI strategies, helping organizations navigate leadership transitions and embed sustainable, impactful change.

As a panelist on The DEI Backlash: A Global Perspective, Mark brings deep insight into the evolving landscape of corporate DEI initiatives, the business case for gender balance, and the risks and opportunities companies face in an increasingly polarized environment.

Tiffany Chown

Orica

VP Human Resources

Tiffany is a Global HR executive with over 16 years of experience leading people strategies across EMEA, APA, and globally. She is deeply committed to fostering positive, high-performance workplaces that empower individuals and organizations to address the critical challenges of our time.

Her background spans the minerals and resources sector, from rare earth minerals to upstream oil & gas operations. Additionally, she’s managed teams in various stages of construction and engineering in power generation, renewable energies, shipping, and rail industries.

In Tiffany’s current role as VP of Human Resources – EMEA at Orica, she leads strategic HR initiatives for our business interests in 26 countries and over 2,500 personnel. Renowned for her creative problem-solving and ability to lead transformative change, she prioritizes building trust and collaboration at all organizational levels.

Her track record in DEI, organizational design, and executive coaching reflects her commitment to creating inclusive, heartfelt cultures where top talent thrives. Leveraging a keen interest in applied neuroscience and mental health developed during her master’s qualifications, MSc and MBHR, she implements strategies that strengthen employee well-being alongside operational effectiveness.

Anders Rodenberg

CEO

Denominator

Anders Rodenberg is the CEO of Denominator, the leading data provider for measuring social and diversity performance worldwide.

Prior to joining Denominator, Anders managed teams in Europe and was the Head of Financial Institutions & Advisory in North and South America for Moody’s Analytics’ data division. Anders is an experienced speaker and often used as a subject matter expert within data for risk management, growth expansion and naturally, social and diversity topics for global events during UNGA, COP, and World Economic Forum in Davos.

Anders lives in the USA with Nordic origins from the Denmark and Sweden.

Paddy Santosh

Olam Agri

VP & Global Head of Learning and DEIB

Paddy (Padmashree Santosh) is an HR thought-leader who believes in bringing about credible challenge for self and business through Talent, Learning, Diversity and Performance portfolio. Currently she has taken on the Global role of Chief Learning, D&I and Organisation effectiveness mandate with Olam Agri. She has spent close to two decades across a spectrum of organisations, in Global and regional roles ranging from established start up like Dyson and contrasting with 350 year old organisation like Merck and across other strong brands like Citi, Standard Chartered, Pfizer, General Mills, Tata AIG. She has been partnering with HR stakeholders & business leaders in shaping the high-performing culture, supporting transformation journey post mergers, driving the talent agenda and has generated some strong momentum for building Asian talent for Global roles and D&I advocacy. She has a background in Industrial Psychology and Masters in HR. Paddy is a certified executive Coach (PCC-ICF), cultural practitioner and a broad range of psychometric tools. She is often featured in HR forums across Asia and globally and brings forward her experiences and learnings.

Tamara Box

Reed Smith

Partner, Head of Structured Finance

Tamara Box is a partner and immediate past Managing Partner, EME at global law firm, Reed Smith LLP. Tamara is also the non-executive Chair of the board of Interpath Advisory, the UK and Ireland’s largest restructuring and debt advisory business, and a non-executive director of Hanover Investors, a leading UK mid-market private equity investment manager. She is the Chair of leading gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal, a Trustee of the Chartered Management Institute and Chair of CMI Women, an Advisory Board member of fintech Inveztor, an Advisory Board member of Anthropy, an Advisory Board member of charity Theirworld, an Advisory Board member of LSE’s The Inclusion Initiative and a founding member of the Steering Committee of the 30% Club. Tamara has twice been named a Financial News “50 Most influential Lawyers” (2022, 2023) and was Law Firm Leader of the Year – Large Law Firm at Women and Diversity in Law Awards, 2023.

Alberto Luis de Armas

CEMEX

VP Organization and Human Resources

As Senior Vice President of Organization and Human Resources at CEMEX, Alberto Luis de Armas oversees the global HR function. His responsibilities include developing and implementing corporate HR strategy and leading a team of senior HR executives across more than 30 countries.

He is a member of the DEI Advisory Committee, helping shape the global strategy and ensuring progress aligns with the company’s values and objectives.

Before joining CEMEX, Mr. de Armas held various roles at W.W. Grainger, a Chicago-based distribution company, and at GE, primarily in the automotive sector of its Plastics business.

Mr. de Armas holds a Master’s degree in Management from Purdue University and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Miami.