INGRID HOBBS

Sharing my observations, research and experience as an Inclusion & Diversity professional and passionate egalitarian. All are welcome here.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION PROFESSIONAL

I am proud to work as the lead Diversity & Inclusion specialist for a global luxury spirits company, where I created and built the Diversity & Inclusion practice for the US, now considered to be one of the best in class.

My goal through this site is to share relevant content and thoughtful provocation to the very complex world of D&I, which I like to call IDEA: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability.

As many times as I’ve heard the fervent wish for it to be so, I’m sorry to say, there is no "one size fits all” approach to building a company culture with a strong, diverse and inclusive core that regularly asks leaders to be accountable for providing equitable experiences and opportunities for all employees. Companies become a sort of living organism that live on a “culture diet” unique to them, and introducing real change and diversity of thought is no small, easy, or fast task. My approach is holistic and iterative. Some ask, “Why can’t we just advise companies to mandate hiring quotas and pay everyone equally - won’t that solve everything?” My short answer is a resounding “NO” and my long answer can be found within the pages of my site here as you educate yourself in the world of IDEA.

The subject of IDEA is extremely complex and I’m an enthusiastic student of the latest approach and tools available in order to continually evolve. I’ve earned Diversity & Inclusion certifications from Cornell University, INSEAD Global Business School, and Society for Human Resource Management, and I’m also a PMP-certified Project Management Professional (a difficult certification that requires 4-7 years’ minimum experience in Project Management). I approach my work with a focus on shared accountability and communication - the cornerstone of IDEA, in my opinion - creating effective 30-60-90 roll-outs and long-term plans for the evolution of strong Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accountability concepts for leadership teams and employee-led networks. Having created and run a few small businesses, my entrepreneurial drive is strong, which means that I “get it done” - whatever “it” is. I’m proud to be able to put my extensive experience to use every day at work, as well as share some of it with you here and across my industry.

INSPIRATION

Living in large cities for most of my life has given me the privilege of daily exposure to an immense variety of people whose cultures, religions, languages, and sexual orientations all intertwine to make up the greatest city in the world. Every day that I step outside of my door, I step into a virtual rainbow of vivid, varied lifestyles! By noon most days, It’s not unusual to hear upwards of 5 different languages spoken by my fellow city-dwellers in passing on the street, subway, and in my office and apartment buildings. Living in my current city of New York has also exposed me to many people with big dreams who are working hard to make them come true, as well as to many impressive people who have already achieved their dreams. I also see and speak to an inordinate number of people who are struggling with lack of income, security, and opportunity that stems from racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. All of that is what drives me to help create equitable playing fields to give everyone a fighting chance at attaining their professional goals, especially those who are underrepresented, underemployed, and underestimated! The Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements, Pride and Women’s Marches have been incredibly inspiring social disruptors that we’ve all read about or participated in and it is my deepest hope that these movements continue to accelerate the significant changes we need and deserve - because we are all equal.

ROOTS

Scratch the surface a bit and you might be surprised to find that while I typically come across as an educated, privileged white New Yorker, I am a self-made woman who comes from humble beginnings in the Mission District of San Francisco. My family is rich with diversity: I’m proud to have several races, religions, sexual orientations, and a close trans-gendered relative in my family, and that gives me a close-up understanding of the societal and professional challenges that so many people face.  I have experienced being an “Only” (a term used when referencing the only woman, the only homosexual, the only Person of Color, etc, in the workplace, school, or at professional gatherings) as far back as when I was the only white student in my grade school after being “bussed” to another inner-city school in San Francisco; and then again, as the only white sophomore in my high school when we moved to Hawaii. Throughout the years, in my personal and professional life, I’ve encountered a bit of racism, some ageism, and a lot of sexism and, like so many, I know what it’s like to feel invisible or to be underestimated. Rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of these experiences, I tap into them and the experiences of others, I am motivated to learn, teach, and make a difference anywhere that I can. I think it is mission critical to always be learning (ABL), and as an egalitarian, I strive to be an Ally, Advocate, and Amplifier for the underrepresented by learning something new each day, and hearing and sharing someone’s story related to IDEA.

Lastly, I’m also a proud US Army veteran, writer, designer, and a damn good public speaker.

All are truly welcome here as long as you bring an inclusive mindset - or you’re open to getting there. Thank you for visiting.

Peace,
Ingrid