Has DE&I become a battleground in your workplace? Are you wondering how to move forward without making it a fight?
As organisations face growing pressure from all sides, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is no longer just a workplace initiative—it’s a flashpoint in a broader cultural divide. Some companies are doubling down, while others are pulling back, unsure how to navigate the shifting landscape. Meanwhile, employees are feeling exhausted, disillusioned, and caught in the crossfire.
In this thought-provoking panel discussion, we’ll cut through the noise and explore how leaders can champion inclusion without getting stuck in ideological battles.
What We’ll Cover:- How did we get here? The cultural, political, and societal shifts that have shaped today’s DE&I landscape.
- Where are we now? The rising tensions around DE&I and what it means for workplaces.
- Beyond the noise: How leaders can keep inclusion alive without making it performative or political.
- What’s next? Future-proofing DE&I so it remains a business and human priority—regardless of external pressures.
Join us for a candid, solutions-focused conversation that empowers leaders, employees, and organisations to move forward with clarity, confidence, and impact.
More about our speakers
Yemi Penn
Yemi Penn is an unflinching advocate for transformative leadership, inclusion, and cultural change. As an entrepreneur, researcher, and international speaker, she challenges leaders to move beyond performative DE&I efforts and into meaningful, systemic shifts. She understands and names the reasons why DEI is a bad idea and what becomes of us if we let DEI die. Her work spans conferences, corporate boardrooms, high-performing teams, and grassroots movements, where she helps entities and its people navigate the complexities of identity, power, and belonging in an increasingly polarised world.
Through her research and collective lived experiences, Yemi explores the intersections of history, psychology, and leadership, equipping individuals and organisations with the tools to break cycles of exclusion and resistance. Yemi is known for her ability to cut through the noise and create spaces where honest, solution-driven conversations thrive.
At a time when DE&I has become both a battleground and a business imperative, Yemi brings a refreshing clarity—helping leaders future-proof their inclusion strategies without getting caught in ideological crossfires.
Katriina Tahka
Katriina Tahka is a visionary workplace change-maker, CEO of A Human Agency (A-HA), and Managing Director of Cultivate Sponsorship. With 20+ years in employment law, DEI, talent, and leadership, she drives inclusive, high-performing workplaces. She co-founded Cultivate Indigenous Pty Ltd, launching Australia’s first First Nations sponsorship program to foster cultural understanding. As a Special Advisor on Gender Equality for Roads Australia, she champions change at national levels. Previously, she held leadership roles at Diversity Council Australia, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and AMP Capital, leading global teams and pioneering DEI strategies. Katriina empowers workplaces to unlock hidden talent and drive cultural transformation.
JJ Ferrari
A former CEO who has led high-stakes transformations and navigated her own gender transition, JJ understands change not as a concept, but as a lived experience. Her work isn’t about abstract theories; it’s about the psychology of reinvention—how fear, identity, and mindset shape success. She’s known for her direct, no-fluff coaching that sharpens leadership, fuels sales, and drives sustainable growth, all through the lens of self-discovery and mindful leadership.
Her approach is simple: change is inevitable—resisting it is optional. Whether guiding executives through disruption or breaking down workplace barriers, JJ sparks action, challenges assumptions, and leaves a lasting impact wherever she speaks.