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New HR Program Series

Dismantling Systemic Barriers in People-Centric Practices

Program Overview

In Canada's workplace culture, as Human Resources (HR) professionals, we are still working through and struggling with how to provide fair and equitable opportunities for all employees. As HR professionals it is time for us to address the systemic barriers still embedded in people programs, policies and practices that still prevent some employees from access to equitable opportunities in the workplace and through their employment journey. The impact of these systems is even more profound for individuals facing multiple barriers and lack of equitable access and surrounding support. Understanding intersectionality, and the interconnectedness of these systems, is crucial for HR professionals. HR is fundamentally about people in their workplaces, and as activist Audre Lorde once said, “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”

The evolution of systemic HR practices is inevitable given the changing labor markets and demographics, increased reliance on AI, and the ongoing and inevitable job redesign. However, this evolution faces significant challenges, particularly in the areas of HR skill sets and resource allocation. HR professionals must transition from specialized roles to a more cross-disciplinary expertise.

HR professionals and all people leaders need to be aware of their own biases, intentionally and actively providing space for different views and perspectives and intersectionalities - moving from the status quo to action.

Who is This Program for?

  • Human Resources Professionals
  • Human Resources Leaders and Managers
  • People Leaders
  • Recruiters and Talent Management Specialists
  • New and Emerging People Leaders
  • People & Culture Leaders
  • Compensation and Benefits Specialists

The following courses will be delivered in order:

Dismantling Systemic Barriers in Onboarding and Employment

25 hours delivered in an online format over 12 weeks

This course equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to enhance workforce strategy and planning, recruitment, sourcing and hiring systems and processes through an inclusive lens. Participants explore principles of inclusive sourcing and recruitment and the impact of barriers within systems and policies on an employee’s employment journey through the workplace. All while creating opportunities to go beyond words by exploring tangible actions and solutions to build an inclusive workplace environment for all.

Course Description

This course equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to develop accessible and inclusive Onboarding and Employment practices, recognizing the diverse and unique requirements of each individual and identifying and removing systemic barriers, while developing practices that would create a pathway to retain employees, including employees from diverse communities and groups, helping all to thrive within the workplace and throughout the Employment journey.

Participants explore principles of creating an accessible and inclusive Onboarding experience, recognizing that Onboarding provides a unique, one-time opportunity to create an accessible and inclusive workplace environment.

Our program is meticulously and intentionally crafted to equip HR professionals and people leaders with the additional skills needed to lead and collaborate within diverse teams, moving past the status quo and addressing embedded systemic biases, barriers, and behaviours within the workplace structure.

Participants will be engaged within interactive conversations and experimental learnings, which will demonstrate the importance of proactively focusing on accountability, inclusion, and advocacy within their organizations, focused on creating and implementing equitable Onboarding and Employment practices. By the end of the course, participants will be able to support diverse peoples, communities and groups within the workplace and contribute to organizational success by fostering creativity, innovation, and retention.

This course will provide a safe space for open and meaningful dialogue and equip participants with practical skills to build a more inclusive and equitable workforce to meet organization objectives.

Course Delivery Method

This course is offered in an online format, providing a dynamic virtual environment where instructors and participants share ideas, information, and learning experiences. Participants are responsible for keeping up with all deadlines and due dates set by the instructor(s).

Lectures will take place in interactive, synchronous sessions during the first or second half of each class. These real-time sessions are designed to encourage interaction and will be recorded for future reference. Recordings will be available for a specified time to course participants.

The remaining class time will focus on online discussions and activities, which participants must complete during the week before the next session.

Teaching methods will include a mix of lectures, videos, workshops, and guest speakers. Practical knowledge will be built through case studies and exercises that promote group discussion and critical analysis. Participants are encouraged to actively contribute their own insights and experiences, as the quality of each session depends on everyone being well-prepared and engaged with the materials.

Learning Outcomes

  • Reflect on the experience of new employees and employees moving into new roles and identify potential barriers and challenges they may face.
  • Differentiate between orientation and Onboarding, and evaluate your understanding of accommodations, systemic supports, practices, policies, and procedure throughout the Employment journey.
  • Understanding how accessible and inclusive Onboarding practices contribute to retention for all employees in the workplace practices. All while creating opportunities to go beyond words by exploring tangible actions and solutions to build an inclusive workplace environment for all.
  • Develop actionable strategies to address inequities in Onboarding and Employment practices.
  • Analyze what it means to manage diversity at a systemic level, identifying key challenges and strategies for creating inclusive environments.
  • Assess the benefits of working effectively with diverse populations and shifting demographics in the Canadian landscape and demonstrating the ability to foster cultural competence in professional settings.
  • Perform ongoing self-assessments to increase personal capacity, awareness, and effectiveness in implementing accessible and inclusive and equitable Onboarding and Employment practices.
  • Reflect on how personal beliefs about diversity, oppression, and social justice can shape professional practices, and apply this understanding to enhance Employment and retention practices.
  • Enhance individual understanding and critical thinking around issues of diversity by applying key principles of inclusion and equity to workplace practices.

Dismantling Systemic Barriers in Talent Sourcing and Recruitment

25 hours delivered in an online format over 12 weeks

This course equips participants to develop tools and programs to create systemic change extending beyond the status quo people-centric programs in the workplace by:

  • Identifying strategies to engage new employees and create an inclusive onboarding experience by practicing accessible language and effective communication.
  • Demonstrating cultural responsiveness by identifying company culture barriers and enhancing onboarding effectiveness.
  • Reflecting on personal limits of knowledge and demonstrating self-awareness and social awareness in building relationships with new employees.

Course Description

This course equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to enhance workforce strategy and planning, recruitment, sourcing and hiring systems and processes through an inclusive lens.

Participants explore principles of inclusive sourcing and recruitment and the impact of barriers within systems and policies on an employee’s employment journey through the workplace. All while creating opportunities to go beyond words by exploring tangible actions and solutions to build an inclusive workplace environment for all.

Our program is meticulously and intentionally crafted to equip HR professionals and people leaders with the additional skills needed to lead and collaborate within diverse teams, moving past the status quo and addressing embedded systemic biases, barriers and behaviours within the workplace structure.

Participants will be engaged within interactive conversations and learnings, which will demonstrate the importance of proactively focusing on accountability, inclusion and advocacy within their organizations, focused on creating and implementing equitable hiring practices. Through these interactive lectures and experiential learnings, participants gain actionable strategies for inclusive talent sourcing, interviews, and resume screening. By the end of the course, participants will be able to support diverse talent pools and contribute to organizational success by fostering creativity, innovation, and retention.

This course will provide a safe space for open and meaningful dialogue and equip participants with practical skills to build a more inclusive and equitable workforce to meet organization objectives.

Course Delivery Method

This course is offered in an online format, providing a dynamic virtual environment where instructors and participants share ideas, information, and learning experiences. Participants are responsible for keeping up with all deadlines and due dates set by the instructor(s).

Lectures will take place in interactive, synchronous sessions during the first or second half of each class. These real-time sessions are designed to encourage interaction and will be recorded for future reference. Recordings will be available for a specified time to course participants.

The remaining class time will focus on online discussions and activities, which participants must complete during the week before the next session.

Teaching methods will include a mix of lectures, videos, workshops, and guest speakers. Practical knowledge will be built through case studies and exercises that promote group discussion and critical analysis. Participants are encouraged to actively contribute their own insights and experiences, as the quality of each session depends on everyone being well-prepared and engaged with the materials.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critically evaluate the social, institutional, and contemporary structures that contribute to the systemic barriers limiting access to diverse talent during recruitment processes across various workplaces and industries.
  • Analyze what it means to manage diversity at a systemic level, identifying key challenges and strategies for creating inclusive environments.
  • Develop actionable strategies to expand your organization's workforce pool, addressing inequities in hiring and recruitment practices.
  • Assess the benefits of working effectively with diverse populations and shifting demographics in the Canadian landscape and demonstrating the ability to foster cultural competence in professional settings.
  • Perform ongoing self-assessments to increase personal capacity, awareness, and effectiveness in implementing inclusive and equitable talent sourcing and recruitment.
  • Reflect on how personal beliefs about diversity, oppression, and social justice can shape professional practices, and apply this understanding to enhance inclusivity in hiring and retention practices.
  • Enhance individual understanding and critical thinking around issues of diversity by applying key principles of inclusion and equity to workplace practices.

Meet Your Instructors

Ingrid Wilson headshot

Ingrid Wilson, Founder and Principal at GridFern Strategic HR

She is a Global Human Resources Executive & CHRO and People-Centric Leadership Strategist, with over 30 years of experience in corporate, healthcare, insurance and public sector human resources and inclusion and equity practices. Ingrid is a recipient of the Top 25 DEI Person of the Year Award, 2021, The Canadian Multicultural Group and LINKEDIN DIRECTORY OF 1000+ WOMEN WHO INSPIRE THROUGH THEIR WORK, July 2022, TOP 100 HR Professionals, National Diversity Awards 2023, BMI Female Mentor of the Year 2024, Finalist, 2024 Women Changing the World Awards in the category of Woman in Corporate & Public Sector, co-author Flourish: A Workbook for Social Innovators and Winner, 2024 Women Changing the World Americas Awards in the category of Woman in Corporate & Public Sector.

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Jonah Ssenyange headshot

Jonah Ssenyange, Associate Consultant at GridFern Strategic HR and Founder, Nthusa Consulting Group

Jonah Ssenyange is a consultant, speaker, and advocate dedicated to helping organizations of various sizes and industries to create inclusive workplaces. As a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), Jonah is the Founder and Principal consultant of Nthusa Consulting Group, a boutique firm that partners with organizations to co-create and execute strategies to achieve sustainable leadership and inclusion objectives.

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About Ingrid

She is a Global Human Resources Executive & CHRO and People-Centric Leadership Strategist, with over 30 years of experience in corporate, healthcare, insurance and public sector human resources and inclusion and equity practices. Ingrid is a recipient of the Top 25 DEI Person of the Year Award, 2021, The Canadian Multicultural Group and LINKEDIN DIRECTORY OF 1000+ WOMEN WHO INSPIRE THROUGH THEIR WORK, July 2022, TOP 100 HR Professionals, National Diversity Awards 2023, BMI Female Mentor of the Year 2024, Finalist, 2024 Women Changing the World Awards in the category of Woman in Corporate & Public Sector, co-author Flourish: A Workbook for Social Innovators and Winner, 2024 Women Changing the World Americas Awards in the category of Woman in Corporate & Public Sector.

Ingrid has pursued excellence in human resources, board, and leadership strategy through the CHRP and CHRL designation, and through programs at Queens University and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Ingrid also currently serves as Vice Chair of the Appeals Regulatory Committee, Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) and as a member on the HRPA Speaker Bureau. She also holds several EDI certifications in areas such as leading for equity and inclusion, anti-racism and accessibility inclusion and holds the Inclusive and Ethical Leadership certification. She serves on non-for-profit, community and advisory boards and committees, including as Project Lead, The LINC Bust Project; Board Director, Humber River Health; Board Member, AIDS Committee of Toronto; Community Member, Region of Peel, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Committee (DEAR); Board Director, Governance and Audit at the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals (CABIP); Founding Advisory Committee Member, System-3 Inc., and Advisor, Governance and Human Resources Committee, Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) and has previously served as Board Chair and Vice Chair on other non-for-profit boards.

She is also Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certified and holds a Workplace Mental Health Leadership certification. She has pursued several EDI certifications, including in areas such as Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education and Adult Learning, Anti-Racism Specialization and Disability Inclusion in Education: Building Systems of Support.

As a facilitation lead, instructor, and a writer – she has curated and executed on interactive webinars, programs, and series for several years, designed to develop strategies and meet the workspace, leadership and organizational environment of clients, and boards in areas such as more recent publications below. She is currently a seasonal faculty member for the Osgoode Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.

Within the community and in her professional space, she respectfully challenges the status quo with the intent of developing alternative strategies, leading to the achievement of success. On a personal level, she volunteers in the community which allows the opportunity to be part of the equity and inclusion journey, lifting up racialized communities for financial sustainability, growth, and development through a focus on employment equity, gender equity, health equity, women in leadership, wellness, education, and development.

About Jonah

Jonah Ssenyange is a consultant, speaker, and advocate dedicated to helping organizations of various sizes and industries to create inclusive workplaces. As a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), Jonah is the Founder and Principal consultant of Nthusa Consulting Group, a boutique firm that partners with organizations to co-create and execute strategies to achieve sustainable leadership and inclusion objectives.

Jonah has built a dynamic life filled with experiences that shape his ability to connect with others. He brings a unique approach to his work by drawing wisdom from African philosophy with compelling storytelling to simplify things that most people find hard to talk about. Through his work, he provides simple, practical strategies that speak to the humanity in each of us.

Formerly an Accountant in Commercial Real Estate, his career and education journey has been a real blessing and has shaped his expertise. He is inspired by Malcolm X's words: "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a postgraduate degree in Accounting, certificates in Human Resources Management, Adult Learning, DEI Strategy Development & Implementation as well as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace (DEIB) in the Workplace.

Jonah's personal mantra is "Aspire to inspire". He believes in the power of sharing perspectives and is passionate about helping people discover the best versions of themselves. These passions guide his work and inspire him to create environments where everyone can thrive.

Jonah's commitment to community impact goes beyond his consulting work. He serves on the board of Sherbourne Health and contributes as a Youth Committee member with the BlackNorth Initiative, working to drive meaningful change and promote equity in communities.

Corporate, Facilitation, and Business Experience:

As a facilitator and content creator – Jonah has curated and executed on interactive webinars, programs, and series for few years, designed to develop strategies and meet the workspace, leadership and organizational environment of clients and boards in areas such as those included below:

  • Lead Facilitator - Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Outward Bound Leadership Training Academy 2023/2024
  • Collaborated with a cross-functional team to successfully conceptualize, design and deliver an innovative 11-module self-led course on workplace diversity and inclusion for employers in Nova Scotia. Here is the link to the program: p4g.ca/FoundationsOfBelonging
  • Co-designed and facilitated interactive accessibility-focused webinar series aimed at increasing employers' confidence in attracting, hiring, and retaining Persons with Disabilities for employers in Nova Scotia. This was done in collaboration with TEAM Work Cooperative. Here is the link to the program: teamworkcooperative.ca/equitability

Program Advisory Committee

Professional Role Company
Dorena Erika Quinn Global Senior Vice President People (Global CHRO), IAMGOLD Corporation
Juliet Jackson Director, Culture & Inclusion Region of Peel
Tanya Sinclair Founder of the Black HRPC (Black HR Professionals of Canada)
Vice President People and Culture		 Save the Children Canada
Rohan Thompson Director of People and Equity County of Dufferin
Janine Pajot Vice President, Human Resources, Bayer Bayer
Silvia Gonzalez- Zamora Global Social Sustainability Leader, National DEI Practice Leader, Partner KPMG
Kris Tierney (she/her) CHRP, CHRL Vice President, People & Culture Strategy Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)
Jacqueline Tasca Director of Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives John Howard Society of Ontario, Centre of Research & Policy
Aileen Simon Education & Strategic Initiatives Coordinator John Howard Society of Ontario, Centre of Research & Policy

Get Notified When Registration Is Available

Registration for the Dismantling Systemic Barriers in People-Centric Practices program is not open at this time. If you would like to be contacted when registration is available, please submit your contact information below.

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