Shakima Jackson-Martinez describes the friction DEI initiatives face when people and organizations resist change. But friction can also be healthy if we lean into difference: “In our search for optimization, we rely on familiarity… Whose perspective is missing from this conversation? And who, if given an opportunity to be here, can help us rise to the occasion and build better products, services, teams, and organizations? …We need difference to thrive.”
Shakima Jackson-Martinez is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocate who specializes in foundational DE&I practices, inclusive talent acquisition, and building organizational empathy through internal research. She is currently the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AnswerLab, a full-service UX Research firm, where she leads the DE&I and talent acquisition functions. Shakima has over 15 years of corporate experience in Human Resources, Project Management, Strategy, and Operations. She is extremely passionate about using research to foster a deeper understanding of company culture and organizational needs while also creating spaces where people feel a true sense of belonging. Shakima presented “The Myth of the Pipeline Problem: Creating a Diverse and Thriving Team” at EPIC2022 and is a member of the EPIC Equity Council.