Pride365: Sustaining LGBTIQ+ Equality All Year Round with Krispy Kreme's Christopher Bylone van Sandwyk

The Next Practices Weekly call series has become a well-attended and wide-ranging discussion for HR leaders each Thursday at 11am ET / 8am PT.  On this week's call, i4cp's Creative Director Eric Davis, Director of Member Enablement Nina Holtsberry, and VP of Research Lorrie Lykins facilitated a conversation with special guest Christopher Bylone van Sandwyk, Global Head of Belonging; Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility at Krispy Kreme. Here are some highlights from the call:

• Early on, we asked the following poll question of event participants: "Are your organization's 2024 Pride activities increased, decreased, or the same as in previous years?"
  • 35% Increased
  • 4% Decreased
  • 51% Stayed the same
  • 9% Don't know
• Krispy Kreme was founded in 1937 and is now in 40+ countries.
• Christopher has been at Krispy Kreme for the past year, and before that was with International Flavors and Fragrances for over seven years in positions that included both workforce planning and DE&I leadership.
• Krispy Kreme has focused recently on belonging -- so much so that it became the lead concept in Christopher's job title. Belonging happens once each Krispy Kremer knows their bold, authentic self is welcomed and loved, where their wonderfully original identities flourish and thrive. It is effectively at the intersection of Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Accessibility.
• Christopher emphasized the importance of watching for bias in people data and processes, especially now as AI is increasingly involved. He emphasized that this isn't only in regard to race and gender, but other characteristics too such as country of origin, LGBTQ+ status, disabilities, socio-economic class, college degree vs. no college degree, formerly incarcerated, and more.
• We asked the following poll question of event participants: "Which of the following statements best describe your organization's position regarding LGBTQ+ issues?"
  • 82% We openly support the LGBTQ+ community
  • 14% We are neutral and have no stated position regarding LGBTQ+ issues
  • 0% We do not openly support the LGBTQ+ community
  • 2% Currently considering our position
  • 2% Don't know
• Christopher noted that ERGs at Krispy Kreme are not just a means for people with similar identities or interests to come together and network, etc. Rather, they serve as active drivers of decision making at the organization, e.g., around benefits provided. Employees use the ERGs to raise important issues that leaders might not otherwise be aware of.
• Christopher advised organizations to "live their brand," as doing so will allow them to remain steadfast and consistent if and when there is external pushback of any kind. Organizations that instead chase customers in a short-term way that isn't aligned and focused on their core brand can easily run into trouble when pushback on marketing or other decisions lead to short-term negative impacts on sales.
• Christopher advised organizations that are less mature in their DE&I practices to start small and be intentional to get early wins to build momentum. He said you should "rock the boat", but be careful not to rock it so much that the boat capsizes, so to speak, because then progress will not be achieved.

Links to resources shared on the call:

• Upcoming i4cp virtual events
• i4cp’s Global Events (APAC & EMEA) - register here
• Information on i4cp Membership
• i4cp Article: Corporate Pride: What's Under Your Rainbow by Lorrie Lykins
• i4cp Survey Results: Employers and LGBTQ+ Legislation
• Krispy Kreme 2022 Responsibility Report
• Time Out Youth (get involved)

To ensure open discussion, this event is exclusively for HR practitioners. Vendors and consultants are not permitted to attend.