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March 2025 

With so much happening across Turtle Island that challenges the work of equity, inclusion, and justice—and at times, our own humanity—I hope you are taking care of yourself and surrounding yourself with those who support you. If you're an Employer Partner, I encourage you to join our new Community Hub, where you can connect with fellow inclusion practitioners and support each other in this work.

Last week, I shared some exciting news: I will be transitioning from my role as CEO to a new leadership position at CCDI once a successor is appointed. This transition, planned in collaboration with the Board, is a strategic step to strengthen CCDI’s future and reinforce our leadership in the DEIA space. 

I am incredibly proud of what we have built over the past eight years—from our early days to becoming a national leader in DEIA. Now, as resistance to this work grows and practitioners face mounting challenges, CCDI must double down on its mission. In my new role at CCDI, I will focus on: 

• Shaping national conversations on DEIA 
• Strengthening thought leadership and advocacy 
• Equipping leaders with the tools to push back against misinformation and drive meaningful change 

To support this mission, we’ve launched a new series as part of the CCDI Leader Talks podcast called “Inclusion Table Talks”. This series brings together CCDI Employer Partners and thought leaders for in-depth discussions on the rising anti-DEIA rhetoric and its impact on our collective vision of building a more inclusive Canada. 

In our inaugural episode, Dr. Sara-Jane Finlay, PhD, Associate Director of DEI at ICBC, joins us to unpack the mounting prevalence of anti-DEIA rhetoric. We explore what DEIA truly is and isn't, address common misconceptions, and discuss the profound impact DEIA has had and continues to have on Canadian workplaces. Listen now on your preferred podcast platform or visit https://ccdi.ca/podcast. 

I remain deeply committed to CCDI’s mission and look forward to continuing this important work in my new role. The search for our next CEO has begun, and I invite visionary leaders who share our passion for DEIA to consider applying.  

Thank you for being part of this journey—I am grateful for your support, dedication, and belief in our shared vision. Feel free reach out to us if you need any additional guidance along your journey.

With gratitude, 

Anne-Marie Pham

CEO 

The CCDI Board of Directors is excited to announce that Anne-Marie Pham will be transitioning from her role as CEO into a new executive role, where she will lead critical national conversations on DEIA and shape the future of inclusion in Canada. 

With this transition, the CCDI Board is actively seeking a visionary CEO to build on Anne-Marie’s legacy and drive CCDI’s mission forward. This leader will guide CCDI’s strategic direction, expand our impact, and ensure the organization continues to thrive as DEIA continues to evolve, advancing equity and inclusion in Canadian workplaces, schools, and communities. 

We want to take a moment to thank OTIP and ICBC, our Ally sponsors for #CCDIUnConference2025! Their commitment to DEIA aligns with our mission, and their sponsorship helps expand our impact. With this support, we are assembling thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to drive meaningful dialogue and insights on current and important DEIA issues. 

Registration closes soon! 

There’s still time to register for our annual flagship event, CCDI UnConference 2025! This year’s theme, Weaving Intersectionality and belonging in DEIA, has never been more relevant, and we hope to count you among us to learn how to integrate intersectionality and belonging into your organizational fabric, and ensure that each person feels seen for their unique identities, experiences, and contributions—enabling them to thrive.

This bilingual event will take place over two half-days on March 5-6.

Registration will close on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Our Manager and Team Lead of Research and Knowledge Solutions, Michelle Hawks, Ph.D., has penned a thoughtful blog encouraging women and girls to choose sciences as a profession. Michelle invites us to expand our view of what counts as science and who we see doing it, and to create space for new questions and different avenues of exploration. She also suggests ways in which we can support interest and broader, clearer paths to success within professions whose focus can also develop further, to bridge with sectors not yet explored. 

What is the difference between being an anti-racist in principle and being an active anti-racist who can spot opportunities in everyday life to undo some of the pernicious ways in which systemic racism can be normative? Move from passivity to clarity and find your allyship voice to support inclusion and fend off anti-Black attempts with our educational resource which provides you with ample material to reflect on and exercise your DEIA stance. 

Let's connect at HR Conference & Expo 2025 in Vancouver – Booth 222

We are excited to exhibit at the HR Conference & Expo 2025, taking place from April 28-30 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Visit us at Booth 222 or schedule a call to connect with our team. 

Upcoming webinars

Date

Theme

March 11 at 1 p.m. ET

International Women's Day - Panel

March 11 at 1 p.m. ET

Journée internationale des femmes – Table ronde

April 1 at 1 p.m. ET

A path forward: Anti-racism in action, from individuals to organizations  

April 8 at 1 p.m. ET

Aller de l’avant : l’antiracisme en action, des individu·e·s aux organisations

Diversity calendar

Women’s History Month (International) 

Irish Heritage Month (Canada) 

Bangladeshi Heritage Month (Ontario) 

Multiculturalism Month (Newfoundland and Labrador) 

Epilepsy Awareness Month (Canada) 

February 28 (sundown) - March 29 (estimate): Ramadan 

3 - 9 : Black Mental Health Week 

3 - April 12 : Great Lent, or the Great Fast (Orthodox / Eastern) 

5 - April 17 : Lent (Western) 

17 - 23 : Neurodiversity Celebration Week 

1: Zero Discrimination Day 

1: Self-harm Awareness Day 

1: Disability Day of Mourning 

3: Black Mental Health Day 

4: Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras 

5: Ash Wednesday 

7: Employee Appreciation Day 

8: International Women’s Day 

13 (sundown) - 14: Purim 

14: Chötrul Düchen 

14: Holi

14 - 16: Hola Mohalla  

15: International Day to Combat Islamophobia 

17: Saint Patrick’s Day 

18: Chaharshanbe Suri 

19 (sundown) - 20: Nowruz / Norouz 

20: Spring Equinox 

20: Ostara / Eostre / Spring Equinox 

20: International Francophonie Day 

20: International Day of Happiness 

20: Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Awareness to Celebration Day 

21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 

21: World Down Syndrome Day 

22: World Water Day 

23 (sundown) - 24: Laylat al-Qadr (Shiʿah) 

24: International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 

25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 

25: Feast of the Annunciation 

26: Khordad Sal 

26: Purple Day 

27: Muslim Women's Day 

27 (sundown) - 28: Laylat al-Qadr (Sunni) 

29 (sundown) - 30: Eid Al-Fitr 

30: Ugadi / Yugadi 

31: International Transgender Day of Visibility 

Welcome our newest
Employer Partners

Together we are shaping more equitable workplaces, schools and communities through our Employer Partners, moving towards a truly inclusive Canada. Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest Employer Partners.

Allstate Canada

Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick

Applaud

Emond Harnden LLP

ESS Support Services

Lumacare

Nanaimo Association for Community Living

Opportunities NB

Ottawa Police

PowerON Energy Solutions

Town of Midland

WestJet