Leading Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

PREFACE

I WAS EXCITED ABOUT GOING TO INDIA to launch diversity, equity, and inclusion work for Sodexo, a French global food services and facilities management company that I was employed with in the US. I was born in India, had spent my formative years there, traveled to India at least once a year, and spoke several Indian languages. In my mind, I had a good understanding of the culture.

In a small room in the Sodexo India offices in Malad, a suburb of Mumbai, I sat with twenty women who were employed in entry- to mid-level management positions. They wore brilliantly colored saris and churidar kurtas. A few wore trousers. They were all delighted to have been selected to participate and were eager to engage. I was focused on implementing initiatives ...