#23 How do you start a DE&I initiative with no resources? - with Amira Ghozali & Bas van Buijtenen from Aptar Pharma Group

Aptar is a global leader in designing and manufacturing consumer dispensing and drug delivery solutions, with 13 000 employees in 20 countries. In 2021, only four years after the launch of their diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, Forbes named Aptar one of the top 10 female-friendly companies in the world.

How did Aptar set up such a successful DE&I initiative in such a short time, especially in an industry where women are generally underrepresented? What were the key factors that helped the program take root and become an integral part of the company’s core values?

In this episode, Amira Ghozali and Bas van Buijtenen talk about how they first launched the Aptar DE&I initiative at a single division with minimal resources. They share their personal experiences and most important learnings from the process, and give advice to people who also want to start on a journey of transforming their workplace.

This episode was recorded at a Role Model Series event that Fish in the Boardroom organized in cooperation with INSEAD Women in Business Alumni Club.

What you will learn

• Building a community of ambassadors from different parts of the organization can help the message spread faster.
• You don’t need to have everything figured out from the start. It’s more important to set your vision, start small, and keep learning as you go.
• A survey can be a great starting tool from which a DE&I strategy can emerge.
• Men tend to underestimate the challenges women face in the workplace. It is a different experience to work in a company whether you are a man or a woman.
  

Tips

• Make sure that everyone in the organization clearly understands the objective and the intention behind the initiative. Adapt your messages and communication channels to the target group.
• Include the topic of DE&I in the agenda of meetings whenever you can to demonstrate your commitment to it and keep it at the forefront of people’s minds.
• Research benchmarks and best practices from different industries. Leverage existing solutions, but always adjust them to the needs of your own company.
  

Resources

Aptar DE&I
https://www.aptar.com/careers/diversity-equity-inclusion/

Aptar Named a Global Top 10 Female-Friendly Company by Forbes
https://www.aptar.com/news-events/aptar-named-a-global-top-10-female-friendly-company-by-forbes/

Aptar Press Release 07.04.2021 Launch Align, Female Employee Resource Group
https://www.aptar.com/news-events/aptar-announces-the-launch-of-its-first-employee-resource-group-align/

Find Amira & Bas on LinkedIn

Amira Ghozali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amiraghozali/
Bas van Buijtenen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basvanbuijtenen/