April Member Spotlight

Meet Vivian Acquah, CDE®

Vivian Acquah, CDE® is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® and an Inclusive Workplace Wellness Advocate raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Through her consultancy, Amplify DEI, her mission in life is to make the topics of workplace wellness and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) accessible to everyone. She is passionate and driven, with a name that translates to 'water,' symbolic of her role in extinguishing the fires of ignorance and prejudice surrounding DEI.

Throughout her distinguished career, she has collaborated with renowned corporate giants such as Heineken, LinkedIn, Google, Indeed, Deloitte, TIBCO, Cargill, Swift, Acrolinx, KLM, and Zalando. Her expertise has provided these esteemed organizations with actionable strategies and practical solutions to foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity. By implementing these strategies, she has helped transform their workspaces into more welcoming and inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and empowered.

One of the initiatives she is particularly proud of is the Amplify DEI Cards, a powerful tool that she developed to foster inclusive conversations and drive positive change. With these cards, she facilitates meaningful and thought-provoking discussions about DEI within teams and organizations. She empowers teams to create comprehensive and effective action plans that propel their DEI efforts forward by leveraging the insights and perspectives shared during these conversations. She continues to make a significant impact in advancing DEI and cultivating inclusive environments through her dedication and expertise.

She joined The Society for Diversity in 2022, and it has been an incredibly enriching and transformative journey. From the moment she became a part of this society, she realized the vastness of the DEI space and the multitude of opportunities for growth and learning it offers. Being a member has expanded her knowledge and provided her with the platform to train and continuously strengthen her DEI muscles.

Her advice to new members is simple yet profound: take the time to truly walk a mile in another person's shoes. By immersing yourself in their experiences, perspectives, and challenges, you can better understand their reality. It's a powerful way to broaden your perspective and foster empathy and inclusivity in all aspects of life.

She often incorporates cutting-edge virtual reality technology to further enhance the depth of understanding. By immersing individuals in realistic simulations, they can experience firsthand the unique challenges and obstacles that others might encounter in the workplace. This immersive experience amplifies empathy and fosters a sense of buy-in right from the start, creating a strong foundation for collaboration and shared understanding.

The complexity of DEI can be likened to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, where one can quickly feel overwhelmed and even drown in its depths. Just like a skilled swimming coach, she guides individuals from the shallow end of their understanding to the deeper ends of DEI, helping them expand their awareness in a sustainable manner. With an unwavering commitment, her ultimate goal is to support and empower one million leaders in (re-)activating their DEI journey. By delivering inspiring keynote talks and immersing people in transformative virtual reality experiences, she strives to ignite a spark within individuals, encouraging them to champion DEI and create a more inclusive world.

Her career began in finance after she completed her degree in Business Economics, where she gained valuable insights into the world of numbers and financial management. However, fueled by her passion for technology and a desire to explore new horizons, she boldly decided to transition into the field of IT. Her goal was to bridge the gap between the worlds of finance and technology, leveraging her diverse skill set and knowledge to drive innovation and create meaningful solutions. This career shift allowed her to embrace new challenges, constantly learn and adapt, and significantly impact both disciplines.

However, her journey hasn't been without its challenges. When she discovered she was pregnant with her son Orlando, she faced workplace exclusion and bullying, which led to immense stress and hypertension. It was difficult, but Orlando's birth marked a turning point for her. Inspired by him, she found her inner strength and decided to contribute to mitigating workplace exclusion. Her goal was, and still is, to create a better environment for Orlando and his generation.

Today, she has achieved remarkable success in promoting DEI through the innovative use of virtual reality in training sessions. By leveraging this technology, she has created a safe and immersive space where individuals can openly share their unique experiences, fostering empathy and understanding among participants. As she directs her focus towards the future, her ultimate aspiration is to ensure the sustainability of the DEI journey while also recognizing the importance of self-care and regularly taking time to mentally and emotionally recharge.

One of the biggest career challenges she faced was overcoming imposter syndrome, especially during her recovery from an ankle injury. It was during those difficult times that she found solace and inspiration in her role model, the iconic Beyoncé, and her empowering song "Bigger." The powerful lyrics, "Step out your estimate, step in your essence and know that you're excellent," struck a chord deep within her, reminding her to question self-doubt, embrace her inherent worth, and continue forging her unique path in the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This anthem became her guiding light, empowering her to rise above challenges, celebrate her authenticity, and make a lasting impact in her field.