Dima Ghawi

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Influencer

Expert on

  • Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI)
  • Inclusion
  • Global Thinking
  • Women in Business
  • Generation Issues
  • Unconscious Bias
  • Leadership
  • Inspirational

Fee Range

$10,000–$20,000

Travels from

LA, US

Biography

Dima’s engaging personal stories and interactive presentations create an experience that empowers audiences across cultures, professions, and generations. Harnessing the power of her story, Dima is committed to inspiring others to attain personal and professional growth, while simultaneously helping organizations increase diversity within their leadership ranks.

Presentation style:
  • High energy with dynamic visuals
  • Interactive audience engagement
  • Motivational and memorable messages
Your audience will:
  • Be empowered to take action
  • Gain new and impactful insights
  • Talk about the event for years

Speaker Videos

BEYOND THE IMAGE OF DIVERSITY: HOW TO CREATE A CULTURE OF INCLUSION

Audience: Leadership Team

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote or breakout session
While it is reassuring that more organizations recognize the value of diversity in their teams and are implementing metrics to measure progress, the real goal of diversity is to create a culture of inclusion and belonging. By focusing on establishing an inclusive environment, organizations can unlock the true value of diversity.
In this presenation, Dima Ghawi presents three tips based on workplace surveys and interviews that she has conducted across a variety of organizations. They include:
  • Providing insight into what employees need to feel welcomed and included.
  • Managing change and creating a courageous culture, instrumental for handling conscious and unconscious biases, micro-aggressions, and resistance to inclusion initiatives.
  • Structuring and utilizing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), valuable affinity groups that provide a support network and education opportunity for their members and also increase awareness across the organization.
Creating a culture of inclusion is no longer simply “a nice to have.” Instead, it is essential for recruiting, engaging, and retaining top talent, and, as a result, increasing the competitive advantage of the organization. Audience members leave with actionable takeaways that can be employed to create a productive, engaging, and inclusive workplace for their team.

THE THREE CS FOR MANAGING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

Audience: Anyone interested in learning about unconscious bias

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote or breakout session
 

In this engaging keynote, Dima Ghawi delves into the intricacies of unconscious bias, uncovering the root of these predispositions and sharing actionable methods for managing these unseen prejudices. The dialogue focuses on three essential messages related to Curiosity, Courageousness, and Commitment. These three C’s emphasize the importance of:

  • Sparking curiosity through self-reflection and continued conversations about discrimination and conscious and unconscious biases.
  • Finding the courage to stand up and challenge the old programing, break free of harmful norms, and become allies for minority groups.
  • Committing to the continuous journey of self-improvement and taking an active role in being part of the solution.
The presentation incorporates relatable personal anecdotes and group/individual activities that keep audience engaged. The content includes information about various types of unconscious biases and microaggressions, and highlights the negative impact of these biases in the workplace. Dima’s presentation also includes innovative neuroscience research on the effect of biases on our brains and wellbeing, and provides highlights derived from a variety of workplace surveys with messages essential for managing these biases.
As the attendees gain more self-awareness, they will recognize the importance of managing their biases and grasp the power of allyship. Audiences leave with actionable takeaways to guide them be more Curious, Courageous, and Committed to current and future diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This results in a positive ripple effect for the attendees’ personal and professional lives as well as the overall organization and community.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: WORTH MORE THAN GOLD

Audience: Anyone interested in learning about Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion  

Focus: Many companies don’t realize they have lack of diversity and don’t understand how to be intentional in creating diversity in their workplace.Format: ​45-60 minute keynote or breakout session.

There is compelling research that diversity increases the competitive advantage of companies, enhances creativity, and elevates employee engagement. Despite this, there is still resistance to workplace diversity.
Through engaging personal narratives, Dima shares the many different types of diversity beyond race and gender, and covers its proven benefits. She provides the audience with tools to enable them to increase diversity in their teams and focus on attracting, engaging, and retaining diverse talent. The audience gains new understanding of managing resistance, tracking progress, and creating a climate that celebrates diversity in their company.
The main topics include:
  • Definition of Diversity & Inclusion
  • Cognitive Diversity
  • The difference between Diversity and Inclusion
  • The evolution of D&I within organizations
  • Research about the value of D&I
  • The advantages of D&I for increasing employee engagement, retention, creativity, and customer satisfaction
  • Biases (this includes unconscious bias), stereotypes, and microaggressions
  • Tips for increasing diversity within your team
  • Tips for fostering a sense of inclusion & belonging within your team
  • Inclusion mindset in the hiring and promotion process
  • Benchmark details on what other organizations are doing to increase diversity
  • Brining these topics together by having the managers work on action items for increasing D&I within the team

HOW TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

Audience:Leadership Team

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote or breakout session
Through storytelling and personal narratives, Dima guides the attendees to address common workplace resistance to DEI). She deconstructs these conscious and unconscious biases and demonstrates how to address them in order to build a safe and inclusive workplace culture. Dima shares specific tips that equip the attendees with the tools needed to overcome the leadership team’s resistance to DEI initiatives, helping ensure that the positive ripple effect of DEI can expand across all their organization’s levels.

HOW TO FUTURE-PROOF YOUR COMPANY: ENGAGING TEAMS ACROSS GENERATIONS

Audience: Leadership Team

Focus: Millennials have begun a positive disruption in the workplace that will continue in the generations after them, and while many companies have still not adapted their culture to the Millennials yet, a whole new generation is ready to enter the workplace.

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote, 2 hour breakout session, or one day workshop

In this Keynote, Dima shares lessons derived from her experience globally training, developing, and engaging over 500 Millennials for Fortune 100 companies. She explores the keys to unlocking the millennial mind in order to better engage them in the workplace, give them the purpose they crave in their work, and inspire them to overachieve. Dima guides the audience members through a shift in perception that is essential in order to prepare companies for Gen Z. By bridging the disconnect between generations, companies will be able to harness the creative and innovative talents of their employees while keeping them dedicated to the company’s mission.

ELEVATING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Audience: Leadership Team

Focus: Only 30% of the global workforce feels engaged (Gallup Research). This has a direct negative impact on the bottom line.

Format: ​​45-60 minute keynote, 2 hour breakout session, or one day workshop

In this workshop, Dima helps participants discover the pivotal role of employee engagement and provides powerful methods for promoting employees’ purpose, ownership, and self-leadership. The content places an emphasis on fostering a happy and lucrative work environment for employees, connecting them with their strengths and career aspirations. Dima teaches the participants methods for creating a more positive company culture that results in lower employee turnover, improved quality of work, improved overall morale, and a positive influence on the company’s bottom line. 

LEADING ACROSS TIME ZONES AND DIVERSE CULTURES

Audience: Leadership Team

Focus: Missed business opportunities due to the lack of global business understanding.

Format: ​45-60 minute keynote, 2 hour breakout session, or one day workshop

 
With an in-depth proficiency in global leadership and management, Dima guides participants through activities that help them develop effective global communication skills. They will learn how to open doors to the understanding and appreciation of cultural differences in order to develop stronger teams that will reach higher business outcomes. Through her unique multi-cultural view of business, Dima empowers her audience to learn the foundation elements required to build trust and nurture relationships regardless of one’s cultural background.

Dima is one of the most thought provoking speakers I’ve heard. I have been the Program Chair for ABWA booking our monthly speakers for the last 2 years, so I have heard a lot of motivational speakers. Dima’s charisma, passion, and true life experiences captured everyone in the room’s attention and respect. It is obvious to me why so many people vie for her mentorship. I am eagerly anticipating the next opportunity I have to learn from her.

J.G., CEO | CREATIVE DIRECTOR, BE THE FOCUS

I first saw Dima on Youtube and was fascinated with her message and delivery. I contacted her and appreciated her professionalism. Dima was very easy to work with as she listened closely to our needs. Her story and lesson for accountability and leadership are truly inspirational and had our audience riveted. When she broke her vase, a cheer erupted and she received a standing ovation. I highly recommend Dima as a speaker who is pleasant, responsive and has a history and message that resonates with her audience.

E.T.D., VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, NEW JERSEY BANKERS ASSOCIATION