Farzeen Foda
Founder & Principal, PeopleStrategy.ca
I work at the intersection of people, profit, and purpose, helping companies to build equitable and inclusive Human Resources strategies and infrastructure. I am a passionate advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) using a systems perspective to operationalize inclusion through Organizational Design, Change Management & Communications, Learning and Development as well as Early Talent Management. I believe that work is a powerful lever for overall health, wellbeing, and fulfillment while providing economic value at the same time.
My experience in this space comes from over 10 years of experience with leading Canadian employers in financial services, healthcare, government, academia and others. As the Founder of PeopleStrategy.ca I am proud to lead a firm that is a partner to a growing number of purpose-driven organizations who believe in the potential of their people.
Media
Inclusive Excellence Unleashing Business Success Through Diversity
I led a workshop with the Business Advisory Centre of Durham for Global Entrepreneurship Week where I shared practical ways small businesses can thrive using the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
CBC Radio, February 18, 2024Radio/Podcast
Radio discussion about how ageism impacts older as well as younger workers. In this short radio interview, I discuss my personal experiences as well as observations working with companies on how ageism along with other biases limit opportunities for younger people, with the more direct way being through an emphasis on years of experience in job postings.
Exploring People Analytics and HR Strategy
Breaking the Barrier: University of Toronto, November 14, 2023Radio/Podcast
URL: https://open.spotify.com/episode/13kN9GwdhyaudVJQPQv2sH
I participated in a podcast interview with University of Toronto Students exploring the lesser known areas of Human Resources and the ways data and technology are shaping the function and making it an interesting area for students entering the world of work, especially those in STEM fields. Leveraging my experience in People Analytics, I also discuss how analytics in particular is playing a larger role in Human Capital strategy.
This post-grad writer has no script for what comes next
The Toronto Observer, June 20, 2024Online
URL: https://torontoobserver.ca/2024/06/20/post-graduate-job-search/
Provided an interview on challenges job seekers face when applying for jobs after school.
Why being a woman in power is not enough to change your organization
The Philanthropist Journal, August 26, 2024Online
Provided an interview to offer a perspective on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion specifically with regard to gender representation. I provided my perspective on how representation is necessary but not sufficient to achieve meaningful change and a hyper focus on one aspect of identity can be problematic when trying to make meaningful change.
Overcoming Gendered Ageism in the Workplace
by Farzeen Foda
Published by Reworked
March 22, 2024
An article exploring age-related myths about employees in the workplace. In this article, I explore how these myths present for older as well as younger professionals in the workplace.
Report Advancing Women in the Digital Economy: A Gender Equity Toolkit for Individual Leaders, Organizations, and Ecosystem Players
by Clark, A., Foda, F., Ivus, M., and McKie, M.
Published by ICTC: Information and Communications Technology Council
April 9, 2024
Despite making up nearly half (48%) of the Canadian workforce, women are underrepresented in the digital economy. In 2023, women accounted for 34.8% of individuals employed in Canada’s digital economy. This number is up from only 34.2% in 2013. While this upward trajectory suggests an overall positive trend in employment participation, a further analysis by seniority reveals that this upward tick is largely attributed to women in entry-level roles or in the early stages of their careers. Meanwhile, the gender gap is greater in the upper echelons of the digital economy, with men comprising most senior-level and leadership-level roles.
This toolkit is intended to serve as guidance and is not a one-size fits-all solution. Organizations are encouraged to “pick and choose” the calls to action that best speak to their organizational needs. It is recommended that individuals and organizations begin small, outline a clear plan of action (including key performance indicators [KPIs]), and track progress over time.
URL: https://ictc-ctic.ca/reports/advancing-women-digital-economy-toolkit
Biography
Farzeen Foda (she/her) is the Founder of PeopleStrategy.ca, a Human Resources and Organizational Development consultancy focused on partnering with organizations to design inclusive systems and processes so that people can thrive at work. Prior to founding PeopleStrategy.ca, Foda worked across a range of HR functions such as Organizational Design, Change Management & Communications, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Learning and Development, and Early Talent Management with leading Canadian organizations. Foda's impact in Early Talent Engagement included designing and leading two award-winning Co-Op/ Internship Programs with CIBC. As the Founder of PeopleStrategy.ca, Foda takes data-driven and technology-enabled approaches grounded in the principals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to design future-ready human capital solutions for organizations across the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Farzeen is also an Instructor of People Analytics with York University.
Past Talks
Schulich Women in Leadership: Career Conversations
Keynote Address for Schulich's Career Conversations Event
Schulich School of Business, November 23, 2023