Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

2026 Black History Month keynote: One step back, two steps forward

Karrie-Noelle Plohman — Tue, 05 May 2026 16:51:26 +0000

This year’s Black History Month (BHM) programming, organized by 91ɬ��’s Equity Team in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic), in partnership with the Desautels Faculty of Management, featured a keynote address by Sabaa Quao.

Desautels hosts She Builds to spotlight immigrant women entrepreneurs

91ɬ�� Desautels — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:13:19 +0000

Three initiatives within 91ɬ�� Desautels, the Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity (LCBEE), the Desautels EDI Team and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative (E&I) joined forces to co-host

Truth, reconciliation, and economic empowerment: Highlights from Indigenous Awareness Weeks at 91ɬ�� Desautels

91ɬ�� Desautels — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:46:38 +0000

In September, 91ɬ�� marked the 14th Annual Indigenous Awareness Weeks, a time of celebration, learning, and reflection. This year's theme Truth and Reconciliation, also marking the 10-year anniversary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada.

91ɬ�� Desautels EDI Award of Excellence: Celebrating student leadership and community impact

91ɬ�� Desautels — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:43:38 +0000

In 2023, the Desautels Faculty of Management introduced the 91ɬ�� Desautels EDI Award of Excellence, an entrance award recognizing incoming students whose community engagement, leadership in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, and commitment to a just world set them apart.

Reframing Entrepreneurship: 91ɬ�� Desautels hosts inaugural Conference on Everyday Entrepreneurship

Justin Zabudsky & Sofia Belayachi — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:46:48 +0000

Earlier this month, the Desautels Faculty of Management at 91ɬ�� held the inaugural 2025 Conference on Everyday Entrepreneurship (MCEE), bringing together scholars, practitioners and community leaders to reframe how we understand and support entrepreneurship in all its forms.

Dean's EDI Update - August 2025

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:55:20 +0000

As September nears, we invite the 91ɬ�� Desautels community to take part in Indigenous Awareness Weeks.

On September 24, join us for a keynote address by author and professor Niigaan Sinclair.

On September 25, attend a panel on entrepreneurship as Indigenous cultural continuity.

Both events are open to all and hosted by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) with support from the Desautels Faculty of Management.

Dean's EDI Update - April 2025

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 20:07:02 +0000

On February 27, the Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity (LCBEE) hosted a thought-provoking event on Black female entrepreneurship that connected academic research with the lived experiences of Black female entrepreneurs.

Dean's EDI Update - November 2024

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 20:33:54 +0000

Earlier this semester, our EDI team launched the 91ɬ�� Desautels Equity Program (MDEP). In alignment with the Faculty’s EDI Action Plan, the program invites community members to engage in various roles that build community, advocate for cultural change, and improve EDI literacy and accountability.

Indigenous Business Matters: Truth, Reconciliation, and Sovereign Wealth

Karrie-Noelle Plohman — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:27:33 +0000

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on September 30, the 91ɬ�� Desautels Faculty of Management, in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, hosted a keynote address by Travis Seymour. As part of 91ɬ��’s Indigenous Awareness Weeks, now in its 13th year, this event underscored the urgent need to incorporate reconciliation principles within management and corporate frameworks.

Addressing Anti-Black Racism: Strategies for Integration in the Classroom

Karrie-Noelle Plohman — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:13:18 +0000

On October 2, the 91ɬ�� Desautels Faculty of Management hosted a panel titled "Addressing Anti-Black Racism: Strategies for Integration in the Classroom," aimed at fostering inclusive learning environments and addressing anti-Black racism.

Dean's EDI Update - May 2024

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:10:48 +0000

Dear members of the 91ɬ�� Desautels community,

As we near the end of this academic year, I want to express my gratitude to our community for your display of strength in the face of ongoing challenges. Our community has remained resilient and dedicated, steadfast in our commitment to excellence in teaching and research, and in driving initiatives that focus on sustainability, ethics and EDI, entrepreneurship and innovation, and managing disruption.

Here are some highlights of the Faculty’s recent progress and achievements.

Dean's EDI Update - March 2024

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:07:24 +0000

In February, the Desautels EDI Team, along with BNP Paribas’ Black Heritage ERG, hosted the informative panel event, ‘Growing Careers in the Financial Sector to celebrate Black History Month’. BNP panelists and I offered students insights into important skills needed to succeed and provided valuable networking opportunities.

Following the success of our first gender identity workshop in collaboration with GRIS-Montréal last November, a second workshop was held on March 13, allowing us to learn more about the experiences of gender-diverse individuals in our community.

Dean's EDI Update - November 2023

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:55:13 +0000

Our EDI team will host a workshop on gender identity in collaboration with GRIS-Montréal on November 28th for students, faculty, and staff, to support the Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed each November. Please sign up here.

Dean's EDI Update - August 2024

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 20:24:40 +0000

With a strategic focus on EDI, we continue to take steps toward developing a culture that ensures everyone feels safe, welcome, valued and heard. With the help of our EDI team, we have created a new Equity Program launching later this fall which will replace our first responders’ program. Stay tuned for an email from the EDI team outlining the details.

Dean's EDI Update - August 2023

Dean Yolande E. Chan — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:05:42 +0000

In our ongoing efforts in EDI, Desautels Local Wellness Advisor Jodi Proctor will be organizing a discussion group series to promote student well-being.