Latest news with #InclusiveWorkplace
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Canon Central & North Africa Appoints Deepali Arora as the Human Resources Director, Driving Inclusive Growth and Talent Development
Deepali Arora brings more than 20 years of HR leadership experience spanning diverse industries and international markets. Canon reinforces its commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture. Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) ( a leader in imaging and print solutions, proudly welcomes Deepali Arora as its new Human Resources Director with immediate effect. Based in Dubai, Deepali will be responsible to lead HR function across six offices in Africa, including Canon's regional headquarters at Dubai, reaffirming the company's dedication to expanding its presence and widening its impact across the continent. In her previous role as Senior Regional HR Manager at Canon Central and North Africa, Deepali spearheaded the launch of a transformative initiative named, Canon Clubs for building capability and fostering an inspiring and innovative culture at workplace. She in line with business strategy, has been instrumental in acquiring local talent and building strong teams across Africa. Somesh Adukia, Managing Director at Canon Central and North Africa, shared, 'We are delighted to welcome Deepali to our Management team as she steps into this key leadership role. Her appointment as Human Resources Director reinforces our commitment to cultivating strong leadership, advancing our people-centric strategy, and building a future-ready workforce across Africa.' Deepali Arora, Human Resources Director at Canon Central and North Africa shared, 'I am honoured to step into this role and lead HR at a company that is deeply committed to creating an inclusive, empowering, and growth-oriented environment. At Canon, we view talent as our most valuable asset, and I'm passionate about nurturing a culture where every employee feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow. Our initiatives like Canon Clubs, Career Development Programme for High Potential Talents, are designed to elevate voices, build capabilities, and champion diversity. I look forward to shaping meaningful employee experience, strong value proposition and driving sustainable impact across Africa.' With close to two decades of HR leadership experience, Deepali brings deep cross-industry expertise spanning retail, FMCG, real estate, and consumer electronics. Her career has been defined by her focus on organisational development, HR business partnering, and capability-building, all underpinned by a strong commitment to people development and inclusive leadership. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA). Media enquiries, please contact: Canon Central and North Africa Mai Youssef e. APO Group - PR Agency Rania ElRafie e. About Canon Central and North Africa: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) ( is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon's business within the Africa region - by strengthening Canon's in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon's commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market. Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa's rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa. Canon's corporate philosophy is Kyosei ( – 'living and working together for the common good'. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon's products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better. For more information:
Globe and Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Dr. Kalifa Oliver Wins 2025 Communicator Award for Groundbreaking Audiobook 'I Think I Love My Job'
Celebrated Author Also Named Finalist for 2025 International Impact Book Awards Author of the Year and Quarter Finalist for 2024 Booklife Prize Ahead of Book's First Anniversary. GREER, SC - May 19, 2025 - Press 49 proudly announces that ' I Think I Love My Job: Secrets to Designing a People-Centered Employer Value Proposition (That You Can Actually Boast About)' by Dr. Kalifa Oliver has received a prestigious 2025 Award of Distinction in the Audio Book for Audio & Voice category from The Communicator Awards. The honor recognizes excellence in audio storytelling and delivery, spotlighting a work that is redefining how leaders build inclusive and empowering workplace cultures. This award adds to the growing list of accolades for the book, which was also recently named a quarter finalist in the 2024 Booklife Prize —a highly regarded competition celebrating outstanding independently published works. Additionally, Dr. Oliver has also been selected as a 2025 Finalist for Author of the Year in the category of Non-Fiction – Leadership & Business Strategy by the International Impact Book Awards. The winner will be announced on October 4, 2025, at the Hollywood Grand Gala. Released on June 21, 2024, the book is now approaching its one-year anniversary. In under twelve months, ' I Think I Love My Job ' has inspired professionals across industries with its sharp, candid guidance on designing a people-centered employer value proposition (EVP) that actually lives up to its promises. Blending analytics with empathy, Dr. Oliver delivers a practical blueprint for transforming employer brand into meaningful employee experience. The book's powerful message and engaging voice have struck a chord with a broad audience—from HR executives and DEI professionals to entrepreneurs and corporate culture champions—making this debut a standout in both content and delivery. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kalifa Oliver, PhD, is an international experience coach, executive advisor, keynote speaker, author, and a respected expert in people-centered design and employee experience analytics. She is known for her ability to help companies across sectors—from scrappy startups to Fortune 500 powerhouses—transform their culture, reposition their employer value proposition, and align their brand from the inside out. At Ford Motor Company, Dr. Oliver led the charge in the company earning the 2025 Breakthrough Award for Employee Experience Strategy at the Qualtrics X4 Conference, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the industry for innovative, people-first transformation. She also coaches executives and emerging leaders on how to command their voice, space, and energy—guiding them to step confidently into their Main Character Season. A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Oliver holds a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Clemson University, a Certification in People Analytics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is a proud graduate of Benedict College, an HBCU in Columbia, South Carolina. ABOUT PRESS 49 Press 49 is a hybrid publishing company committed to amplifying bold, transformative voices through nonfiction works that inspire, inform, and ignite change. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, and founded by award-winning international speaker and publisher Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins, Press 49 empowers authors to own their stories and shape their legacy. Press 49 always looks for exciting new books and go-getters to join the company's family of authors. Media Contact Company Name: Press 49 Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email Phone: 833-PRESS49 (833-773-7749) Address: 4980 S. Alma School Rd., #2-493 City: Chandler State: AZ 85248 Country: United States Website:
Metro
13-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
The husband and wife who have started the first all disabled company in the UK
There may be 25,000 marketing agencies in the UK, but Inkfire has something that none of the others have. That is because it is the UK's first agency staffed entirely by disabled people. It is all the brainchild of married couple Imali and Cameron Chislett, who have overcome severe illness and setbacks to turn Inkfire into a trailblazing company for work equality. When the pair met by complete chance at a teenage house party, little did they know the health and career challenges they would go through together. First diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Imali, 24, was rocked by more diagnosis of irritable bowel disease and severe ulcerative colitis. Cameron, 24, on the other hand, was coming to terms with his severe autism and ADHD. Imali told Metro: 'It's an unusual one because we both didn't realise how disabled we were when we met. 'We were actually more disabled than we thought we were.' Just as they had to reckon with this, they had to reckon with a modern work culture which didn't accommodate their needs. 'We were both trying to attend corporate office jobs and trying to fit in. 'But there were all these rules stopping me from doing what I loved. There was counting toilet breaks. 'We were trying to fit in, but we were getting pushed further and further away – it was just not fair. 'I went freelance, but I was sick and tired of trying to find jobs at places,s and there were constantly being hurdles put in the way.' So after years of frustration, that is when Imali and Cameron decided to act. They got together and built Inkfire, which provides marketing, tech, website and virtual assistant services across the globe – but with a twist. Their entire team of 14 people all have a lived experience of disability. But it is not just that they have disabilities, but their unique way of working, so every one of them is included in the workplace. They have remote working options, customised schedules to match individual needs and other personal adaptations for each of their staff. The business has gone from strength to strength. They just won the Disability Smart Award this year and are expanding their offering to clients. Imali said: 'It was never meant to be what it is now, it's taken off more than we thought. 'To be able to have a team that can support each other and can provide the support that is missing in the disabled community and beyond.' 'Our goal is to keep making positive change to be a positive voice and to support ideas from an inclusion and accessibility point of view.' They've been nominated for disability charity Scope's Inclusive Workplace award, celebrating the work the company has done to 'dismantle invisible barriers' and 'drive creativity and innovation.' Metro is also the official media partner of 2025 Scope Awards that will take place next month. The ceremony will celebrate the work disabled people and organisations are doing to bring about important change. Hosted by the BAFTA-nominated actor Adam Pearson, unsung heroes, amazing achievements and the incredible accolades of the disabled community are all being honoured at the Kia Oval. There are 38 nominees for the nine Scope Awards: Accessible Product, Celebrity Role Model, Community Group, Inclusive Workplace, Journalist, Marketing Campaign, Media Moment, Purple Pioneer and Social Media Influencer. The company has gotten so much attention that even their postman knows who they are, but they are not complacent. More Trending 'We always take it one step at a time,' Imali added 'I think with everything, the disabled community has had to learn its progress not perfection. 'It's so empowering to see disabled people in media doing amazing things.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: London bus drivers refuse to put out ramp for disabled boy, 2 MORE: A friend asked a question about disability that stopped me in my tracks MORE: 'ADHD bulldozes every part of your life – why would you make it up?'
