Experiential Experts: Why Representation Matters in the Workforce – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 

While the pandemic may have put a pause on travel over the last two years, things are gearing back up, with different industries hosting a splurge of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. ImpactXM is proud to be servicing over 25 clients at the ICSC Las Vegas event from May 22-24th. In the meantime, hosts Lorre Crisswell and Holly Zalenski reflect on ImpactXM’s 15th Anniversary Rethink conference last year, with special guest and now Vice President of Account Management Sohini Mitra leading the way on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Representation effects how minorities and society view and interact with each other, “Interestingly enough, representation, or lack thereof, starts at a very early age and it follows us through the rest of our lives,” said Mitra.

In a survey conducted on children’s characters in the media with over 1600 main characters, 65% of the characters in programs were white and 38% were women or girls. Interestingly, the girls were more likely to solve problems using magic while the men and boys were more likely to solve problems using science, math, technology, or brawn.

“The hours that these children spent consuming the media, it shaped what they imagined to be possible for people who look like them,” continued Mitra.

As they mature, these images begin to really shape their potential. The self-esteem of girls and minority children were effected by this lack of representation.

In the workforce, similar situations play out. While we start off on equal footing for entry level jobs, as careers progress, these shared representations drop off. This means, as Mitra said, “When decisions are being made, there aren’t enough women of color sitting at the table, representing their communities.”

It’s difficult to make decisions that represent these communities without this representation -because representation matters.

With the future involving algorithmic technologies, it is more important than ever to have wide and meaningful representation, helping to eliminate bias in the workplace and in many different industries. To impact the future we must start with representation.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Greenland Energy Company Is Leading Responsible Oil Development in Greenland’s Jameson Land Basin
October 30, 2025

The global conversation around oil is evolving—shaped by the forces of energy transition, geopolitical tension, and accelerating technology. Even as the world races toward decarbonization, demand for reliable, dispatchable energy continues to climb. Oil and gas together still supply just over half of global primary energy, underscoring their enduring role in the world’s power…

Read More
luxury resale
How Luxury Resale Became Big Business: Inside Fashionphile’s Playbook
October 30, 2025

Luxury retail is in the midst of a reinvention. Circular fashion has moved from trend to transformation, reshaping how consumers perceive value, ownership, and access. According to the 2025 BCG × Vestiaire Collective Resale Report, the secondhand fashion and luxury market now totals $210 to $220 billion globally and is projected to reach $320…

Read More
career
The Power of Reinvention: How Debbie Crouse Crafted a Career Across Industries
October 29, 2025

As the modern workforce continues to evolve, conversations around balance, fulfillment, and flexibility are taking center stage. With hybrid work redefining expectations and career paths becoming less linear, professionals are asking deeper questions about what “success” really means. According to Gallup’s latest data, only 31% of U.S. employees were engaged at work in…

Read More
acceptance
Coaching Away the Imposter Voice: Transforming Self-Doubt into Self-Acceptance
October 28, 2025

Authenticity isn’t about perfection — it’s about having the courage to show up as your true self, even when self-doubt creeps in. Many of us wrestle with imposter syndrome, people-pleasing, and the fear of being seen, but real growth happens when we embrace vulnerability and learn to trust our own voice. By letting go of…

Read More