Vancouver, BC, December 20, 2022 – Synergy Executive & Boards Consulting Group (Synergy) is pleased to announce that it will be part of a historic initiative to combat racism in British Columbia. Synergy is one of a select group of community organizations who have received funding to help the provincial government collect race-based data that will support new anti-racism data legislation.
Organizations across the province are each receiving up to $30,000 to hold engagement sessions about how government should develop and implement anti-racism data legislation. Synergy, a diversity-oriented executive and board recruitment, leadership, Equity & Inclusion consulting company that champions placements for Black, Indigenous and People of color (BIPOC), received $25,000 for its proposed plans to gather race-based data from BIPOC community members in the province.
According to the 2016 census, “About 22% of the Canadian population are BIPOC. In BC, that number is above 35%. A closer look at the boards and senior staff serving minority groups reveals that the management and boards do not reflect the diverse populations they are serving,” said Trish Mandewo, Founder and CEO of Synergy. “Our research community study will interview BIPOC leaders and boards across BC and collect data that identifies diversity gaps in the province, with the goal of informing future policies made by the Province of BC.”
Synergy will partner with ambassadors and partners across the province to interview more than 300 participants. Synergy will also connect with community members, leaders, and boards of directors about their experiences with:
- representation on boards and in leadership positions
- the quality of service and any gaps that exist
- incidences of systemic inequalities they have seen or experienced
- data collection and how the data should be used
“At Synergy, we’re in the unique position to have access to leadership tables and decision makers who can provide an inside perspective on the issues of systemic inequalities across BC,” said Cecilia Mkondiwa, Co-founder, and CFO of Synergy. Our organization’s mandate and core values are rooted in respecting and creating safe and brave spaces for all marginalized individuals and communities, and we will take this approach to amplify the voices of the people we interview.
Trish Mandewo added: “The issues of race and diversity are complex and collecting this data will help us be a part of the solution in combatting systemic inequalities in our province and foster an inclusive British Columbian for all.”
In the government news release announcing the funding for all community organizations involved, Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives said: “We made a commitment to move forward on anti-racism data legislation in partnership with communities, and I’m thrilled to see so many organizations stepping up to support this work.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Trish Mandewo
Phone: 604-726-0856
Email: info@synergyonboards.ca
ABOUT SYNERGY EXECUTIVE & BOARDS CONSULTING GROUP
Synergy Executive & Boards is a diversity-oriented executive and board recruitment, leadership, Equity & Inclusion consulting company located in Coquitlam, British Columbia. We are championing and leading the way in Black, Indigenous, and People of color (BIPOC) placements and are committed to helping companies build diverse, world-class management teams through exceptional talent and solutions. Learn more about Synergy at synergyonboards.com.