293: How ERGs Can Transform Your Workplace with Brian Reaves
Release Date: 05/11/2025
297: Deep Listening Strategies with Emily Kasriel
Allyship in Action
Emily Kasriel is the author of Deep Listening: Transform your relationships with family, friends and foes. She joins the Allyship in Action Podcast this week to share insightful perspectives and practical tips on deep listening. Key takeaways from the conversation: Deep listening goes beyond active listening. It's not just about repeating or paraphrasing, but about being truly present, understanding the emotions and underlying messages, and reflecting those back with humility. Self-awareness is crucial. Recognizing our own biases and "shadows" allows us to listen more openly to others....
info_outline
296: Launching a Non-Profit with Impact with Chéla Gage
Allyship in Action
Chéla Gage returns to talk about her new non-profit 1,000,000 Fosters. She shares her journey and the impact she hopes to create in this week's episode. Chéla's journey to launching her nonprofit to support adults who have experienced foster care as youth. This initiative aims to provide transformative life and career coaching, foster personal growth and independence, and build a strong community for former foster youth. Chéla's personal experience growing up in foster care fuels her passion for this work, and she envisions the organization as a supportive network, similar to a fraternity...
info_outline
295: Baked-In Resilience: Keeping the Flame of Inclusion Alive, Quietly and Powerfully with Sona Khosla
Allyship in Action
This week on the Allyship in Action Podcast, Julie Kratz is joined by Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity. Inclusion is about having courage to keep doing good when it feels like the world's spinning the other way. And that's exactly what Sona and Julie dove into this week – this idea that even when the news is full of noise and doubt, there's a powerful current of good still flowing, quietly and persistently. It's about finding that inner strength, that "baked-in cake" resilience, and reminding ourselves that this work, this striving for inclusion and impact, it's not a trend,...
info_outline
294: DEI Stealth Mode: Finding Hope and Action in Uncertain Times with Dr. Poornima Luthra
Allyship in Action
Dr. Poornima Luthra is a professor at the Coopenhagen School of Business. She joins the Allyship in Action Podcast to discuss how to turn fear into fuel for positive change. We discuss what she calls "stealth mode DEI," and how to navigate these polarizing times from a global perspective. Key takeaways from our conversation: The Global Perspective on DEI: While the US experiences a significant backlash, other parts of the world, particularly Europe, are continuing and even deepening their DEI efforts. Companies are finding ways to maintain progress, even when their US counterparts are pulling...
info_outline
293: How ERGs Can Transform Your Workplace with Brian Reaves
Allyship in Action
Brian K. Reaves is the EVP and Chief Belonging, Equity, and Impact Officer of UKG, where he leads the company’s global belonging, equity, and impact program, expanding existing initiatives while working to strengthen a culture built on trust, fairness, and equality, so every U Krewer can thrive in every stage of their career. In this episode of the Allyship in Action podcast, we dive deep into the power of employee resource groups (ERGs) and how they’re not just a "nice to have," but a "must-have" for any company serious about thriving. Brian's work at UKG shows us the power of...
info_outline
292: The Behavioral Blueprint: Nudging Toward Inclusive Action, One Moment at a Time with Katryn Wright
Allyship in Action
Katryn Wright, a behavioral science expert, joins this week's episode of the Allyship in Action Podcast to share some fascinating insights. She reminds us that changing the world isn't about grand gestures, but those tiny, actionable tweaks in our everyday moments. Here are the key themes we explored: Behavioral Science as a Practical Tool: Moving beyond abstract concepts to understand why people behave the way they do and how to create tangible change in organizational settings. Specificity Over Ambiguity: Ditching the "woolly and fluffy" notions of culture for concrete, measurable behaviors...
info_outline
291: How to Make Work Fair with Siri Chilazi
Allyship in Action
Siri Chilazi, co-author of the brilliant new book, "Make Work Fair," joins us this week on the Allyship in Action podcast to translate academic research into simple, actionable steps leaders can take. We tackled the "myth of meritocracy," the power of norms, and how to actually embed fairness into our workplaces, not just talk about it. It’s not just about changing systems, it’s also about changing behavior. Here are the key themes we explored: The Myth of Meritocracy: We debunked the idea that hard work automatically equals success, highlighting how biases creep into decisions, even when...
info_outline
290: Unlocking Neurodiversity: Beyond Labels and Stereotypes with Dr. Angela Kingdon
Allyship in Action
On this episode of the Allyship in Action podcast, Julie Kratz is joined by Dr. Angela Kingdon, Autistic Advocate and host of The Autistic Culture Podcast. Dr. Kingdon shares how life can throw you a curveball – like finding out you're autistic at 39! Angela's journey is a testament to the power of self-discovery and the importance of understanding neurodiversity. She's not just talking about labels; she's talking about culture, empathy, and making room for everyone's unique "weirdness." And let's be honest, who isn't a little weird in their own special way? It’s about celebrating those...
info_outline
289: Navigating the Broken Rung and Building Your Own Path to Success with Lareina Yee
Allyship in Action
The broken rung. It's that invisible hurdle, that subtle yet persistent barrier that keeps so many talented women from climbing the ladder. Think of it like trying to run a race with a shoelace tied to your ankle – you can still move, but you're definitely not at your full speed. Today, we're diving deep with Lareina Yee, a powerhouse from McKinsey Global Institute, and co-author of "The Broken Rung. Wrong. When the career ladder breaks for women and how they can succeed in spite of it." Lareina's is here to shed light on the strategies that can help us navigate this tricky terrain,...
info_outline
288: How to Push Back Against Othering in the Workplace with Daniela Pierre-Bravo
Allyship in Action
Imagine stepping into a room, feeling like you're the only one wearing a different uniform. That's the "other" feeling, isn't it? It's a feeling I know well, and it's something Daniela Pierre Bravo explores with such raw honesty and grace. Like many of us, Daniela's journey is a tapestry of "firsts," resilience, and a whole lot of grit, woven together with the threads of her immigrant experience. She reminds us that being "the other" isn't a weakness; it's a superpower. It sharpens our emotional intelligence, compels us to be resourceful, and forces us to see opportunities where others...
info_outlineBrian K. Reaves is the EVP and Chief Belonging, Equity, and Impact Officer of UKG, where he leads the company’s global belonging, equity, and impact program, expanding existing initiatives while working to strengthen a culture built on trust, fairness, and equality, so every U Krewer can thrive in every stage of their career.
In this episode of the Allyship in Action podcast, we dive deep into the power of employee resource groups (ERGs) and how they’re not just a "nice to have," but a "must-have" for any company serious about thriving. Brian's work at UKG shows us the power of inclusion work and ERGs on business impact.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:
- The Superpower of Unique Experiences: Brian emphasized that everyone's unique lived experience is a superpower. ERGs are spaces where these superpowers can be shared, celebrated, and leveraged for innovation and growth. It's like having a room full of superheroes with different powers, but they all work together to save the day!
- Intergenerational Collaboration is Key: The "RISE" ERG at UKG highlights the importance of intergenerational collaboration. It's about breaking down the silos and creating spaces where different generations can learn from each other. Like Brian said, it's about being the "cool mom" or "cool dad" by understanding and connecting with the younger generation.
- ERGs Drive Business Impact: Brian shared compelling data from Great Place to Work and UKG's own research that shows ERGs drive higher engagement, retention, and innovation. They're not just feel-good initiatives; they're smart business strategies.
- Allyship Through Understanding: Brian advocates for joining ERGs that are outside one's immediate experience to foster understanding and allyship. It's about stepping outside your comfort zone and learning from others' perspectives. As he put it, "The power will come when you join the one you have least affinity to."
- ERGs as Proxies for Customer Base: Employee resource groups can act as a direct line to your customer base. They can provide honest feedback and insights into accessibility and market demographics that might otherwise be missed.
Actionable Allyship Takeaway: If you're a leader, take the leap and become an executive sponsor for an ERG. And if you're an employee, consider joining an ERG that stretches you beyond your comfort zone. You'll be amazed at what you learn and how much you grow.
Insightful Quotes:
- "That uniqueness is our superpower."
- "The power will come when you join the one you have least affinity to."
- "It's about creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued – like finding your tribe in the middle of a corporate jungle."
- "We can't live everyone's life, but we certainly can have empathy and listen to someone else."
- "These people will tell you the truth. And if you include them in the story, they'll continue to be more engaged."
You can find the UKG ERG Playbook that Brian referenced online here, and you can find Julie Kratz at https://www.nextpivotpoint.com/