As the back-to-school season begins and fall routines take shape, I find myself pausing more often. This is the time I tend to do the most reflection and planning: thinking about the year ahead, what’s working, and where we can grow together. Fall also brings many opportunities to connect: through our Community of Practice sessions, at the World Diversity in Leadership (WODIL) Conference, and as we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Each of these moments reminds me of the importance of listening, learning, and engaging with one another as we continue to build more inclusive workplaces and communities.
Plans for this fall’s Community of Practice events are shaping up beautifully. I’m especially pleased we’ve added two sessions in Ottawa, further expanding opportunities to connect across the country. I’m looking forward to seeing how this year’s theme, Sparking the collective: Transdisciplinary approaches to DEIA, can help us build bridges between disciplines, knowledge systems, and lived experiences to address complex problems and create meaningful change.
I’m also proud to highlight CCDI’s presence at the World Diversity in Leadership Conference (WODIL). Anne-Marie Pham, our Vice-President of Engagement, will be presenting on the topic Cultural Competency in AI Development: Integrating Global Perspectives. As AI continues to shape our workplaces and societies, I’m eager to hear her insights on the importance of inclusive and bias-aware approaches to emerging technology. Our CCDI network will receive a 25% discount off the registration fee by using the code ‘CCDI25’.
As we look toward the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I invite you to access CCDI’s latest bilingual resource guides and join us on September 25 for the second part of our webinar series, Ten years of Truth, a lifetime of action. Personally, I will be attending the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto annual Community Powwow, as part of my own commitment to ongoing learning, connection, and reconciliation.
A quick reminder to our Employer Partners: our annual survey is still open, and we’d love to hear from you. This is a key way we listen to your experiences with CCDI and learn how we can better support your goals. The survey is short, anonymous, and open until September 30. You can find the link in your most recent Employer Partner newsletter, and it will also appear in the upcoming quarterly edition. We look forward to sharing a summary of what we learn later this year.
Whether through events, resources, or shared spaces of reflection, I hope this fall brings opportunities for meaningful engagement. Thank you for being part of this work. I look forward to all that we will build together in the months ahead.
Warmly,
Sartaj Sarkaria
CEO
Sparking the collective: Transdisciplinary approaches to DEIA
As the DEIA landscape evolves, siloed thinking is no longer enough. CCDI’s Fall 2025 Community of Practice calls on practitioners, changemakers, and organizational leaders to explore transdisciplinary methods that drive ethical innovation and collective sustainability.
Our theme, Sparking the collective, invites participants to break down disciplinary boundaries and bring together lived and professional experience to generate new knowledge, challenge binaries, and co-create inclusive futures. Through this lens, we’ll explore how intersectionality, cultural humility, and inclusive education can help counter the rise of misinformation and polarization, while supporting more responsive and resilient systems.
We are happy to announce new in-person sessions in Ottawa, one in English and one in French,sponsored by NCC (National Captioning Commission).
Visit the event page to find the complete list of our Community of Practice virtual and in-person sessions and register.
September 30 is recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor whose orange shirt was taken from her on her first day of school. This day is more than just a day of commemoration; it is a powerful reminder of the truths that continue to shape this land and the lives of those who live on it. For many Indigenous communities, the day marks a time of collective mourning and continued survival. For settlers, it is a call to listen, unlearn, and take responsibility.
We encourage you to download the following resources to increase your understanding and recognize this important day.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Guided learning journey
This educational tool is structured with a hands-on and immersive approach to engaging with the legacy of residential schools and the broader movement to return Indigenous lands and decision-making to Indigenous communities. This journey invites participants to interact with the land, listen to survivors, and reflect deeply on what decolonization can look like in practice.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day: Educational resources
This NDTR resource provides a concise overview of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation history, background, actionable steps, and additional resources to build understanding of past and present harms and encourages engagement towards healing and rebuilding for the future.
We are thrilled to share that ccdi.ca is under construction. Our new website with a fresh new look and improved functionality is set to launch in September. This upgrade is more than a redesign; it reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing your experience and strengthening our engagement with our DEIA community. Our new website will feature:
A more user-friendly layout
Simplified navigation to help you find what you need more quickly
Improved access to our expert DEIA resources, events, and tools
A modern, accessible, and engaging platform
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the launch. We can't wait to share the new CCDI online experience with you.
Leader Talks with Anne-Marie: Youth Day episode
In this special International Youth Day episode, Anne-Marie sits down with Ken Lima-Coelho, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area.
During their conversation, Ken shares insights on how standing firm on values like equity is more important now than ever. The discussion provides a powerful look at how mentorship transforms lives, not just for young people, but also for the mentors themselves. It highlights the resilience and skills needed for the future of work, community, and society.
Care over convenience: Centering DEIA in everyday choices
In this personal reflection, Jennifer Stone, Project Manager at CCDI, shares her complicated relationship between values and actions and the impact everyday decisions have on our planet. She considers a "less is more" lifestyle, and the need to prioritize purpose and intention to achieve sustainable solutions. By examining how DEIA drives environmental sustainability, Jennifer shares her perspectives of what it means to live meaningfully.
Engage with thought leaders and innovators at the World Diversity in Leadership (WODIL) conference on September 18–19, 2025, at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Anne-Marie Pham, our Vice-President of Engagement, will take the stage to share key insights on the importance of cultural awareness and global perspectives in designing fair, inclusive, and bias-free technologies.
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.
.png?upscale=true&width=388&upscale=true&name=CCDI%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal%20-%20White%20(1).png)
