EY Canada has been a Corporate Partner through Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) since the program’s early days and is an active member in the Chamber’s ecosystem.
Lindsay Swanson (she/her), EY Canada’s Leader of ESG Services, Supplier Diversity and Inclusion, sees this as an embodiment of EY’s values rather than just checking off a box.
“It’s not just lip service. We’re really focused on creating programming and opportunities that ultimately bring people together,” said Lindsay.
“We’re seeing how corporate membership with organizations such as the CGLCC offers us an opportunity to demonstrate our values to the external market but also to our people. They’re able to see that alignment of values and the safe space EY creates for all.”
Creating Connections
EY Canada is a Big Four accounting firm that provides services in assurance, strategy and transactions, consulting and tax. As a firm that offers several services to its clients, it knows how to make an organization run better. EY knows to be profitable, competitive and representative of society, it needs to be diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Being a Corporate Partner is about more than taking advantage of the network of Certified Suppliers. To them, it’s about using the size and power of the firm to be a leader in inclusion.
“We help diverse suppliers forge relationships within our network, and we create connections across our market, and those connections give way to amazing things.”
McKinsey & Company research shows that companies with a diverse workforce are 35% more likely to experience greater financial returns than their non-diverse counterparts.
“As a professional services organization that relies on the best talent to stay ahead, we need the smartest and most talented people. Those people are going to be from diverse communities,” said Lindsay.
And during a time when some large corporations are scaling back their DEI policies, EY remains committed to inclusion. Lindsay said becoming a Corporate Partner should be a no-brainer for companies that want to invest in inclusive practices right now.
“Do it because it’s the right thing to do and it gives you access to businesses that you might not have been aware of. It opens up a whole new network of small- to medium-sized businesses and corporate members as well.”
Committed to Inclusion
EY’s involvement in CGLCC shows its commitment to creating a more equitable working world and doing business, differently. To learn more about how your organization can do the same, visit CGLCC’s website and become a Corporate Partner today.
