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Equity Action Plan

Leadership training

Submitted on behalf of Finance and Operations.

Over the past two years, the leadership of the Vice President Finance and Operations (VPFO) portfolio has been engaged in a professional development program aimed at creating a foundation of awareness, understanding, and self-reflection concerning equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, while subsequently providing tools to support participants in leading equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) work.

Over 45 leaders across the portfolio participated in several sessions over the two-year period. The focus of the sessions varied from building foundational knowledge to practical application through case studies, project development and change implementation, and group report backs. Throughout the program, pre, interim and final assessments were conducted to consistently measure participants’ perception of impact. Beyond providing VPFO leaders with an opportunity to grow their EDIB-related knowledge, the program also created a shared, collective space where relationship building was a priority.  

Connection to the EAP

This activity advances Institutional accountability, Action 9:

Respond to the Vice President Finance and Operations portfolio assessments to identify and address gaps in understanding, and the capacity of leadership and management to implement EAP initiatives. Lead: VP Finance & Operations

Impact

The pre, interim and final assessments demonstrated significant improvement in leaders’ confidence leading EDIB-related work and in perceptions of where VPFO was at in their journey towards leading systemic change across the institution. Because of the work that VPFO oversees (including Human Resources, Financial Planning and Operations, Facilities Management, Campus Security, Financial Services, General Counsel, Internal Audit, and University Systems), the impact of knowledge growth as a result of the EDIB program will be far-reaching. Specific implementation projects in each department are underway, each of which is advancing different aspects of the Equity Action Plan.

Learnings and reflections

Natasha Goudar, Associate Director, Institutional Equity Initiatives, reflected on the success of VPFO’s program, suggesting: “The work really started at the executive level. Having the buy-in from leadership, specifically Kristi Simpson (Vice President, Finance and Operations), was instrumental to gaining the trust and commitment from leaders across the portfolio.” Chandra Beaveridge, Director, Strategic Initiatives and Projects within VPFO, noted that “leaning into the expertise we have within our community was especially important.” Doing so meant that the program aligned with institutional plans, including the EAP, and that the learning could be focused on the specific contexts within the UVic community.