Meet DeGroote’s re-launched Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

Top Row (L-R): Baniyelme Zoogah, Yan Wang, Nooshin Salari, Keiwan Wind, Gillian Mulvale; Middle Row: Irina Ghilic, Karam Noel, Elizabeth Blanchard, Brenton Barnaby, Emily Vance; Bottom Row: Udbhav Gupta, Beryl Wakhungu, Hamza Khokhawala, Wadh-Ha Mutabazi, Ela Murray; Not pictured: Fatma Elbabour

Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to how the DeGroote School of Business builds a welcoming and supportive learning and working environment. To ensure this mission is shaped by the lived experiences and real voices of the community, the school has recently expanded and re-launched its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (EDIAC).

The renewed committee brings together faculty, staff and students to share perspectives, offer recommendations and help guide EDI initiatives and programming. In alignment with the Inclusive Excellence pillar of DeGroote’s Strategic Plan, the committee has expanded its membership and introduced dedicated faculty, staff and student groups, each meeting quarterly to support broader participation and more meaningful engagement.

We recently asked several EDIAC members why equity, diversity and inclusion are so important—and how everyone can help build safe spaces at DeGroote.

What motivated you to join the DeGroote School of Business Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee?

“I joined the EDIAC because I am deeply passionate about the intersection of business practices and social impact. As a queer, disabled woman, I am a part of various EDI-centered organizations, both within and outside of DeGroote, that strive to create a more equitable world. Within the EDIAC, I aim to influence DeGroote policies and practices to create a safer space for all students, staff and faculty at DeGroote. I want to make sure everyone in DeGroote and the broader McMaster community can see themselves in various leadership opportunities across campus.”

—Ela Murray, IBH Student; EDIAC Student Member

“I wasn’t born in Canada, but I earned my PhD in engineering and built my academic career in Canada. As a woman, I benefited from mentorship, encouragement and real opportunities that helped me stay in academia.

That experience motivates me to contribute to the EDIAC so we can help ensure those same opportunities are available to others equitably.

I’m also motivated because EDI can mean different things for students, staff and faculty, and the right support looks different for each group. A single approach won’t work equally well across all roles. The question, for me, is: how do we provide the right support for each community? I believe the best way is through a step-by-step learning process, listening to people’s experiences, learning from what has worked at other schools, and drawing on the knowledge of committee members to refine what we do over time. Being part of that thoughtful, practical learning process is another key reason I want to serve on EDIAC.”

—Nooshin Salari, Assistant Professor, Operations Management; EDIAC Faculty Member

“I joined the EDI Advisory Committee because I believe business education has a responsibility to model the kind of inclusive leadership we expect in the world. I want to help shape systems that empower equity deserving voices and embed inclusive excellence into DeGroote’s culture. Throughout my academic and professional experiences, I’ve seen how much stronger teams become when people feel seen, and empowered to contribute. DeGroote is a diverse community, and I wanted to be part of the group that ensures that diversity is matched with intentional inclusion. For me, this work is not symbolic. It’s about shaping systems and everyday practices so that every student can thrive.”

—Beryl Wakhungu, MBA Candidate (Level I); EDIAC Student Member

Why do you believe equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to the future of business education and research?

“Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to the future of business education and research because business schools shape the leaders and systems that will influence society for decades. If business education continues to privilege narrow definitions of talent and success, it risks perpetuating the same inequities that organizations now seek to address. By neglecting broader definitions of talent, we risk leadership gaps, with crucial skills such as empathy and cultural intelligence remaining underdeveloped. This could hinder future leaders’ ability to navigate and manage diverse teams effectively, ultimately affecting organizational success in increasingly global markets.”

—Brenton Barnaby, Recruitment and Admission Manager (MBA program), EDIAC Staff Member

“EDI is essential to the future of business education because the world we’re preparing students for is diverse and shaped by complex social dynamics. Inclusive environments don’t just feel better; they produce better thinkers, better collaborators and better leaders.”

—Beryl Wakhungu, MBA Candidate (Level I); EDIAC Student Member

What unique perspective or experience do you bring to the committee’s work?

“I’ve spent a lot of my life learning how to read a room and adjust to it, even when the room wasn’t built with me in mind. As an immigrant, and as someone who navigates physical and mental health challenges, I’m deeply aware of how systems can unintentionally exclude even when intentions are good.

Growing up with a persistent sense of not quite fitting the “norm” has made me attentive to the quiet barriers people face, and the moments where belonging is assumed rather than built. I bring that lens to the committee with a focus on practical changes that make it more accessible for people to participate fully without having to over-explain, over-perform or shrink themselves to fit.”

—Irina Ghilic, EMPOWrD Program Manager and MDTRC Learning Architect; EDIAC Staff Member

What’s one small action anyone at DeGroote can take to help create a more inclusive environment?

“Introducing yourself with your preferred pronouns! It’s low-effort but makes a big impact by creating a safe space for 2STLGBQIA+ folks.”

—Ela Murray, IBH Student; EDIAC Student Member

“Assume less, ask more.

Small actions like checking in about access needs, offering options instead of a single ‘right’ way to participate or being explicit about what success looks like help people contribute without having to guess, mask or overcompensate.

Inclusion often lives in these everyday moments, when we pause long enough to make space for people to show up as they are, rather than asking them to adapt quietly in the background. We bring our whole selves to work and school, and inclusive spaces should make that feel safe, not risky.”

—Irina Ghilic, EMPOWrD Program Manager and MDTRC Learning Architect; EDIAC Staff Member

About the EDIAC

The DeGroote School of Business Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DSB EDIAC) is an advisory body comprised of students, staff and faculty members working in conjunction to promote inclusive excellence across the DeGroote School of Business.

To learn more or access EDI resources, please visit DeGroote’s EDI website. DeGroote’s EDI Specialist, Sharlee Cranston-Reimer (she/her), is always available for questions or a coffee chat. Read more about the committee’s purpose and mandate here.

Meet the EDI Advisory Committee members

Faculty:
• Gillian Mulvale, Professor of Health Policy and Management
• Nooshin Salari, Assistant Professor of Operations Management
• Yan Wang, Associate Professor of Finance And Business Economics
• Keiwan Wind, Assistant Professor of Information Systems
• Baniyelme Zoogah, Professor of Human Resources and Management

Staff:
• Brenton Barnaby, Recruitment and Admission Manager (MBA program)
• Elizabeth Blanchard, Senior Academic Advisor, BCom
• Irina Ghilic, EMPOWrD Program Manager and MDTRC Learning Architect
• Karam Noel, Educational Developer
• Emily Vance, Recruitment & Admissions Officer, MBA

Student:
• Fatma Elbabour, PhD candidate in Information Systems
• Udbhav Gupta, MBA candidate and Student Wellness Ambassador
• Hamza Khokhawala, IBH (Level I)
• Ela Murray, IBH (Level V)
• Wadh-Ha Mutabazi, IBH (Level III) and DCS VP, Advocacy
• Beryl Wakhungu, MBA candidate