Episode 230: Beyond Buzzwords: How Brands Can Start Supporting a More Equitable Industry

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As we enter February and celebrate Black History Month with our Food Biz Wiz community, we are excited to revisit this episode with CPG industry veteran Sheryl O’Loughlin on how we can cultivate an inclusive CPG industry that supports Black futures and represents all of us! Sheryl is the co-founder of the JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) Collaborative, the Women on Boards Project, former CEO of REBBL and Clif Bar and Company, and co-founder and former CEO Plum Organics.

In this episode, you’ll hear Sheryl and Alli discuss…

🫶 Why prioritizing just, equitable, and inclusive practices is critical to our industry 

🫶 What brands might be able to expect in their journey to becoming a brand that supports anti-racism, equity, and inclusivity

🫶 How Jedi Collaborative's work can support YOUR brand’s particular JEDI journey

🫶 And why these journeys are STILL important for brands who have small teams!

This episode is packed with important insights and we’d love to hear your takeaways. Connect with us through our Instagram or LinkedIn to share them!

📨 DM and tag the Food Biz Wiz team on Instagram or LinkedIn here!

Find the important resources mentioned in the episode here ⬇️

➡️ You can sign the JEDI pledge and find out more about their work by clicking here. 

➡️ If you would like to donate to support the work that JEDI does, please find out more by clicking here. 

➡️ The executive director position has been filled since the original episode aired, but you can still check out JEDI Collaborative on LinkedIn here!

MEET SHERYL O’LOUGHLIN:

Sheryl is a co-founder of the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Collaborative, the Women on Boards Project, former CEO of REBBL and Clif Bar and Company, co-founder and former CEO Plum Organics.

Both non-profits that Sheryl currently leads are focused on supporting and advocating for a more inclusive industry and economy to drive innovation, growth, profitability, and justice. The JEDI Collaborative of industry peers and experts is leading a project for the natural products industry to frame the business case for embedding justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into our entire food ecosystem. The Women on Boards (WOB) Project is inspiring and supporting a game-changing movement to significantly increase diversity in boards of directors for all consumer companies. They are a nonprofit with one purpose: providing women access to seats at the board table.

SPONSORED BY: OUR MASTERCLASS!

This episode is sponsored by our Retail Ready® Masterclass! As we put the first month of 2024 behind us, we want to make sure that the rest of your Q1 is armed with actionable tips from Alli on how to increase YOUR sales. Check out our Masterclass for these tips, plus hear more about joining us in Retail Ready®. Click here to sign up for a time to watch our Masterclass!