Empowering you to become a DEI Leader in Tech.

We are all aware of the benefits and the immense value of fostering an inclusive environment. However, finding relevant and practical resources that cater specifically to your unique needs can be challenging.

But that’s where Xena comes in.

If you are on a quest for resources that are not only impactful but also tailored to the tech space, let this be your comprehensive guide, offering you the best DEI resources, toolkits, newsletters, and podcasts.

Why It Matters

DEI strategies are not one-size-fits-all. What works for one region or company might not be as effective for another. Understanding the unique cultural, legal, and societal contexts of your location is essential to implementing DEI initiatives that truly resonate with your team. Our goal is to provide you with resources that you can tailor to your needs.

What You’ll Find Here

Reading Materials: Stay informed and inspired with a curated list of the most insightful DEI books, blogs, newsletters and more. These resources will keep you updated on the latest trends, research, and success stories from leading DEI experts and organisations.

Podcasts & Audiovisuals: Tune in to engaging conversations with thought leaders and practitioners who are driving change in the world of DEI. These podcasts offer valuable perspectives, practical advice, and inspiring stories that will fuel your commitment to inclusivity.

It’s a long one ahead, make sure to save and keep coming back.

Welcome to your go-to resource hub for all things DEI in tech:

Reading Materials

Toolkits & Guides

– Google’s Inclusive Marketing Toolkit: Resources helpful in creating work that positively and authentically reflects the world. Whether you’re a strategist, creative, producer, or brand manager – this work is for you.

– LinkedIn’s Pocket Guide on Inclusive Language: Learn how to weave diversity & inclusion into your brand’s identity and messaging

– Bias Interrupters: are tweaks to basic business systems (hiring, performance evaluations, assignments, promotions, compensation etc.) that prevent implicit bias in the workplace, often without ever talking about bias.

– A Guide To Gender Identity Terms: A glossary of terms relating to gender identity from NPR with the goal of helping people communicate accurately and respectfully with one another.

– MyPronouns.org: A practical resource dedicated to the empowering and inclusive use of personal pronouns in the English language. This website will help you understand why and how to use the pronouns someone goes by.

– Intercultural Checklist by the EU Council: Helps you identify easily identify to what extent the principle is reflected in the policy or project.  It is estimated to take around 15 minutes to complete. The intercultural checklist aims to be simple and transparent. Questions are phrased so that you can tick the boxes which apply to your project. You may be invited to a further check/action at the end of the intercultural checklist if the answer is not fully positive.

Book List

– Dare to Lead by Brene Brown: developing brave leaders and courageous cultures.

– Better Allies by Karen Catlin: the practical guide for how to be an ally in the workplace.

– Lead Like An Ally by Julie Kratz: facilitates positive change by including six leadership strategies, such as cleaning up the culture, stretching talent equally, establishing ally networks, managing meeting behavior, promoting belonging, and measuring success.

– Power, for All By Julie Battilana and Tiziana Casciaro: an insightful read on what power is, how it’s gained and lost, and how it can be used for good.

– How to be an Inclusive Leader by Jennifer Brown: a step-by-step guide for the personal and emotional journey we must undertake to create an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcomed, valued, respected, and heard.

– Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni: outlines the root causes of politics and dysfunction on the teams where you work, and the keys to overcoming them.

– Ask For It by  Linda Babcock: is designed to help women push back against these forces by teaching them to ask for what they want in ways that feel comfortable and do-able.

– Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant: the author examines the critical art of rethinking: learning to question your opinions and open other people’s minds, which can position you for excellence at work and wisdom in life.

Blogs & Articles

– Sheree Atcheson: listed as one of the U.K’s most influential women in technology, Sheree is an international multi-award winning Diversity and Inclusion leader who is a global change maker in pushing for equality and equity in industry. She’S Author of “Demanding More : Why Diversity & Inclusion Aren’t Happening & what you can do about it”.

– The Drum’s DEI Column: speaks to leaders, creatives and influencers from marginalised communities to find out how the industry can meet their needs.

– AI-backed Diversity Tools: discover the best diversity recruiting software, inclusion solutions, and tools for fostering diversity.

– Xena’s take on:

Allyship

How to Hire More Women in Tech

4 Step Plan to Address DEI with Tech Stakeholders

How to Write Inclusive Job Descriptions

How to Create a DEI Scorecard

How to Create an Executive Sponsorship Program in Tech

Whitepapers & Assessments

– Advancing Diversity & Inclusion in the Tech Industry: Challenges, Initiatives, and Future Outlook

– 10 Ways to incorporate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into your Talent Acquisition Strategy

– Harvard Implicit Bias Assessment: find out your implicit associations about race, gender, sexual orientation, and other topics.

– Accessibility Checklist for Virtual Engagements: how to create and maintain an inclusive environment online that is accessible to those with disabilities.

Newsletters

– DEI Club: is the place to share, learn and grow with other DEI practitioners who care deeply about creating a human-centric workplace culture where employees thrive because they feel safe and welcome.

– Better Allies: sign up for the 5 Ally Actions weekly newsletter.

– Xena: get your recap of Women in Tech & Allyship resources by yours truly.

Podcasts

– The Inclusive Startup Playbook by Sifted: Sifted’s team interviews founders, investors and operators about the best ways to build an inclusive, resilient and sustainable startup.

– Diversity Secrets by Louise Moulié: through meaningful dialogue with leaders in the field, this podcast aims to help organisations build, accelerate and promote DEI in the workplace. 

– The Shift: Finding Equity at Work: dedicated to exploring the changes taking place across the modern-day workplace.

– Element of Inclusion: using a compelling blend of case studies, cutting-edge research and global perspectives, Dr Jonathan’s original insights help business leaders to build inclusive organisations where everyone belongs and everyone performs.

– Code First Girls Podcast: CEO Anna Brailsford has conversations with tech leaders, unpacking the issues that are driving the experience of women in tech around the world.

– Extending The Ladder with Nancy Novak: hosted by Compass Datacenters’ Chief Innovation Officer, each episode features a prominent woman in the technology industry discussing key subjects, alongside their own personal experiences in the workforce.

– Girl Geek X:  after giving female tech leaders a platform for over 10 years at Girl Geek Dinners, they are now sharing the best insight from women in tech every 1st and 3rd Monday.

– Next Pivot Point: sharing stories about those leading like allies, with tools to develop inclusive leaders and promote diversity and inclusion at work.

– Women at Work: by the Harvard Business Review, conversations about where women are at in today’s workforce, and how to move forward.

Audiovisual

– Influence 360 by Bernadette Smith Bernadette’s practical and playful talk on inclusive leadership puts audiences at ease with sensitive topics, while still challenging the status quo and moving the needle on your critical diversity initiatives.

– The Difference Between Allies and Co-Conspirators: (6-minute) video where Bettina Love vividly explains the difference between allies and co-conspirators in the fight for justice.

– TED have a great playlist for D&I in the workplace, for example:

– How Reverse Mentorship Can Help Create Better Leaders: (4 minute) TED Talk by Patrice Gordon

– Don’t call people out – call them in: (14 minute) TED Talk  by Loretta J. Ross

By equipping yourself with the right resources and knowledge…

YOU can lead the charge in transforming your workplace into a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.