Breaking Barriers: The Impact of Body Inclusivity on Talent Acquisition, Retention, and Business Growth in the Workplace
Explore workplace exclusion and weight stigma impacting 67% of U.S. women with renowned speaker Kara Richardson Whitely. Kara guides the audience through a transformative journey, shedding light on pervasive bias in professional spheres, from hiring practices to daily interactions. In this presentation, Kara shares compelling adventures, offering insights into challenges faced by those affected by weight stigma. Through impactful storytelling, the audience gains a nuanced understanding of hurdles on the path to professional success. Kara delves into cultural shifts needed to dismantle workplace weight bias, emphasizing fostering inclusivity and creating uplifting environments. She shares actionable strategies for cultivating a workplace culture that embraces diversity. Explore the impact of recent anti-fat bias laws and gain insights into upcoming legislative measures. Attendees will understand their pivotal role in shaping workplaces that celebrate differences and foster inclusivity. Be inspired as Kara navigates a narrative of change, resilience, and collective power to reshape workplace culture. This speech is a call to action, inviting individuals and organizations to actively contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future.
Learning Objectives:
- Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Understand the legal landscape surrounding anti-fat bias laws and how prioritizing body inclusivity in the workplace is crucial for compliance, reducing legal risks, and fostering a more inclusive environment.
- Strategic Talent Attraction and Retention: Recognize the significance of prioritizing body inclusivity as a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent, particularly in a business environment where 67% of US women are size 14 and above.
- Business Growth through Diversity: Explore the broader business imperative of championing body inclusivity, that contributes to innovation, collaboration, and overall business growth.
Kara Richardson Whitely
Kara Richardson Whitely is the CEO of The Gorgeous Agency, as well as a plus-size adventurer and advisor. Her book, Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds, is being made into a movie produced by and starring ‘This Is Us’ actress, Chrissy Metz.
Kara has partnered with brands such as Peloton, Jolt Film, L.L. Bean, Keen and Discover Puerto Rico to showcase diversity and inclusion, and build positive brand sentiment in the plus-sized community. Her mission to encourage people of all sizes and abilities to get active outside made her a great fit for Come Alive Outside’s Board of Directors, and she has inspired teams and individuals to overcome obstacles and bet on their own success at companies such as J.M. Smucker, Pfizer, Google and Uber. Here is a link recapping her Body Appreciation Panel with Peloton.
She has also been featured in countless media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Good Morning America, The Today Show, She Explores, and more.