Welcome to another episode of Just Between Us Girls, where host Arianny Damian, Director of Business Development at Thompson Restoration Associates, is privileged to have Lindsay Romaniw, Senior Property Manager at Colliers, as her guest. In our introduction, Lindsay shares insights into her role at Colliers and why her journey into advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion is so crucial. We delve into history and context, exploring the impact of small yet impactful initiatives like removing names from applications to combat biases in hiring processes. Addressing cultural norms and latent benefits in the workplace becomes paramount to attract and retain diverse talent. We also stress the importance of recognizing when advocacy isn't our forte and empowering those who champion the cause. Lindsay opens up about her personal journey of checking privilege and feeling compelled to advocate for the DEI Committee. We discuss the weight of advocacy and the necessity of collective action, including the often unnoticed invisible labor shouldered by women in the workplace. From organizing birthday cards to cleaning communal spaces, these tasks often fall on women disproportionately. Transitioning to allyship and activism, we tackle feelings of inadequacy and the shift from performative to meaningful action. Celebrating wins, like diversifying leadership roles through Spring cleaning competitions, underscores the significance of integrating DEI principles into daily practices. We address challenges within corporate culture, including the lack of diversity in leadership and biases embedded in organizational structures. Overcoming barriers involves recognizing and redistributing invisible labor, as well as purposefully integrating DEI efforts into everyday actions. In conclusion, we urge listeners to embrace allyship and advocacy in their workplaces, emphasizing the need for continuous, meaningful contributions beyond symbolic gestures. Keep up with us on IG: @thompsonrestores