“It’s a learning process for everyone and we are stilllearning and growing every day, trying to figure out how to navigate such atopic, especially in the workplace.”In commemoration of Pride Month, EliezerTimolien and LeoLee discuss Diversity & Inclusion, approaching this important topicfrom the perspective of a professional from the LGBTQ+ community. In this open,candid conversation, Eli talks about his journey in commercial real estate: theobstacles, the notion of fitting in, his experience working in a predominantlyhomogenous industry – and overcoming such challenges to be his authentic self.Eli and Leo tackle the concept of “making the uncomfortablefeel comfortable” in an effort to improve awareness in the workplace andprovide people both the ease and the environment to be their true selves. Theytalk about various training and resources (for both members and allies of theLGBTQ+ community) companies can design and deliver to further build onDiversity & Inclusion initiatives and maintain the momentum that has beencollectively created – from inclusive benefits to self-identificationprograms, to Employee Resource Groups.Shedding light on challenges within the LGBTQ+ communityitself, Eli says, “Even we face our own stigmas.” He goes on to speak about hisexperience dealing with implicit biases people have within the community thatcould create negative perceptions of certain identities. Looking back, Eli andLeo discuss the progress companies have made in fostering LGBTQ+-inclusive workplaces,and discuss what more can be done to bridge gaps, facilitate criticalconversations and create a safe setting where people offer variousperspectives.In the long-term, Eli “would love to see the Diversity &Inclusion program shut down, but for good reason: that no one individual isconsidered marginalized; that everyone is considered equal in terms of the workthat they are able to do, the skill sets that they are able to provide acompany; that they’re able to secure appropriate salaries so we don’t have thewage gaps we’re seeing to this day…”Eli and Leo agree “we have such a long way to go”, but areoptimistic about the steps the company, the profession, have taken towardsbuilding a truly diverse and inclusive place for all.

Ver todos los episodios