Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance

Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance Growing up in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War Moving internationally eight times before adulthood Podcast Overview In this inspiring episode of TBCY’s Leaders Who Care series, Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer of Women in Governance, shares her powerful journey from war-torn Lebanon to becoming a leading advocate for gender equity and corporate inclusion in Canada. Her personal resilience, experiences as an immigrant and single mother, and global advocacy for women’s leadership offer valuable lessons for both personal and systemic transformation. 01:46: Who Is Caroline Codsi? Growing up in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War Moving internationally eight times before adulthood Leaving Lebanon at 17 to pursue her education independently in Paris Learning resilience, independence, and self-belief from her family Embracing challenges that shaped her character and leadership style 05:28: How Did Caroline Break into the Corporate World in Canada? Navigating Canada’s corporate world as an immigrant Rising to become Executive Vice President at a leading medical company Founding Women in Governance to address gender inequality in leadership Recognizing that Western societies continue to face systemic workplace inequities 09:39: What Is Women in Governance, and Why Was It Founded? Responding to alarming statistics: only 12% of board seats were held by women in 2010 Developing programs for mentoring, training, and leadership development Recognizing that systemic barriers are rooted not in women’s capabilities but in workplace cultures and policies Launching the Parity Certification, modeled on rigorous audit standards such as ISO 12:25: What Is the Parity Certification, and How Does It Work? Developed in partnership with McKinsey & Company More than 150 major organizations certified across various sectors Conducting a detailed self-assessment covering more than 80 questions on hiring, retention, promotions, and pay equity Measuring progress through year-over-year benchmarking and continuous improvement Recognizing participating organizations at public gala events 17:20: How Does the Current Social and Political Climate Affect DEI in Canada and the US? Observing the backlash against DEI in the US, with some organizations retreating from previous commitments Examining the role of values and patriotism in Canada Recognizing that women influence approximately 80% of consumer purchasing decisions Emphasizing the importance of businesses maintaining genuine commitments to equity and inclusion 21:00: Why Does Diversity Matter for Business Success? Bringing essential and complementary perspectives into decision-making Guarding against groupthink and encouraging innovative solutions Improving decision-making and positively influencing financial performance Recognizing diversity beyond gender and ethnicity to include age, background, experience, and skills 25:35: What Has Caroline Learned from Speaking Around the World? Speaking in countries including Dubai, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Japan, France, and Iceland Observing significant cultural differences in approaches to gender equality, from Iceland’s leadership to Japan’s continuing challenges Exchanging advocacy, ideas, and lessons with audiences around the world Emphasizing the value of experiencing and understanding diverse cultures and practices 29:09: Can Single Mothers Thrive Professionally and Raise Successful Children? Caroline’s experience as a single mother and business leader Involving her children in charitable work to foster empathy and responsibility Challenging the myth that children of working mothers are disadvantaged Encouraging single mothers to pursue both professional success and meaningful parenting while instilling strong values RESOURCES Learn more about Caroline Codsi: LinkedIn ENJOYED THIS PODCAST? Caroline Codsi helped build a Parity Certification—a gender-equity standard developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company. More than 150 major organizations have used the certification to measure progress, identify gaps, and drive meaningful workplace change. Share your thoughts in the comments and help spread these insights throughout your network. Would you love to give us 5 stars? If yes, we’d greatly appreciate your review. Help us reach more people as we bring conversations with leaders, high achievers, and thought leaders from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Excellence can come from anywhere. Stay informed and hear from emerging achievers and experts from around the world. Stay updated with what’s shaping the world today through the latest The Brand Called You Podcast episode. Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, and Anchor.fm.   You can find us at: Website: www.tbcy.in  Instagram: http://bit.ly/3HO7N06  Facebook:http://bit.ly/3YzJOaD  Twitter: http://bit.ly/3wMBOXK  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbcy/  YouTube: http://bit.ly/3jmBqfq  Chingari: https://chingari.io/tbcypodcast  Moj:http://bit.ly/3wOrmPv  Josh: http://bit.ly/3WWP0nB  Thanks for listening!  Profile Caroline Codsi is the Founder and Chief Equity Officer of Women in Governance, dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and workplace inclusion. Her journey from war-torn Lebanon to building a successful life and career in Canada reflects extraordinary resilience, courage, and determination. Drawing on her experiences as an immigrant and single mother, Caroline advocates for removing systemic barriers and creating more equitable opportunities for women in leadership. The post Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance first appeared on TBCY.