b'FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORis for our leaders to be inspired beyond (or, perhaps, in addition to) the business case for diversity and inclusion. Borrowing from Alex again, great leaders shift culture, and we are fortunate to be witnessing that shift in culture in our ECAO community. This has been very evident through my participation in a number of Empower You sessions conducted by AlexO F F E RY O U R through Leadership Surge. began a journeyO F F E RY O U R In January of 2021, ECAO with Leadership Surgea journey towardsL I G H T I N GC L I E N T Sbecomingawelcomingindustry.ManyL I G H T I N GC L I E N T Sinourcommunityembarkedwithmeon thistrek,fromcompany/businessowners,M O R E !seniormanagementandrepresentativestoM O R E !alllevelsofemployees,associationstaff, affiliate partners and members of our larger community. We witnessed that diversity can create discomfort, but it doesnt have to do so. Together we learned that our differences can cause us to question our own biases and others biases to make decisions more objectively and compassionately. The discussions that ensued (even beyond the virtual sessions themselves)O U R P A R T N E RS E R V I C E SI N C L U D E :werestimulating,enlighteningand,yes,O U R P A R T N E RS E R V I C E SI N C L U D E :sometimesdifficult.Icouldalsoseeand witness, over time, that these discussions were being taken far beyond those in attendance. A shift, albeit small, was beginning.Recognizing that we can welcome all as an industry, and wanting to build on this shift, we were bestowed with a grant from the Ontario MinistryofLabour,Immigration,Training andSkillsDevelopmentundertheSkilled Development Fund for diversity, equity andSITE LIGHTING REBATE & ROI SITE LIGHTING REBATE & ROI AUDITS LAYOUTS ANALYSISinclusion training. AUDITS LAYOUTS ANALYSISWewerethenabletobringmanymore onourjourney.Thein-personsessionsin which I was privileged to participate and the continuingvirtualpresentationswereeven richer than they were previously. Clearly, the word was spreading. Further, the addition of more diverse participants and more employees emphasized to us that DEI is for all people.What we need is for leaders to be inspiredPROJECTFINANCING VIDEO & EMAIL beyond a business case for diverse and inclusivePROJECTFINANCING VIDEO & EMAIL SUPPORT MARKETINGworkplaces.Ourcommunityslong-termSUPPORT MARKETINGcommitment to creating a culture of emotional safety through a diverse and inclusive industry requires these leaders and their belief in this culture to shift. Regardless of the job titles held by my colleagues on this journey, they are allScan to explore now:leaders. Let us proudly broadcast: our industryScan to explore now:welcomes all.1 If your boss is still asking about the business case for diversity, your company is in trouble,by Michelle MiJung Kim.Ontario Electrical Contractor9'