Embracing Equity at CDW
As part of Women’s History Month, we are excited to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity, focusing on “a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.” We asked a few CDW coworkers across the globe how they #EmbraceEquity. 
Melanie Britto
(she/her) Manager, Talent Development
I embrace equity by taking the time to understand my own unconscious biases and helping others do the same. Knowing our bias blind spots makes it easier to work together to build an equitable society. This is an important part of the process because it’s hard to have equity if we don’t take the time to understand the inequity we create for others through our own biases.
Azeb Dagnachew
(she/her) Associate Engineer
I work in IT, a male-dominated field. As a woman, I understand the struggle and the work it takes to overcome the unconscious bias and stereotype toward women. I also know I must do my part to open a door for other women and address issues loudly when I think it’s holding us back. I embrace equity and understand the importance of it to get us to our ultimate goal of creating an equal workplace for all cultures, races, gender, and sexual orientation. I also appreciate the steps CDW has taken to create more opportunities for women, and I look forward to contributing more.
Amanda Desourdis
(she/her) Corporate Communications Manager
I embrace equity by always seeking advice and opinions from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Myra Glover
(she/her) CDC Stocking Supervisor
I embrace equity by taking advantage of the wide range of available resources, classes, and training CDW has to offer to help build my confidence and provide the leverage I need to be successful. As a leader, I am committed to supporting and helping cultivate an environment of cultural confidence that enables those who aspire to reach their potential.
Sara Ignace
(she/her) Solution Domain Manager, Enhancement Services
Empathy is at the core of embracing equity. By seeking to listen to, respect, and honor people’s experiences, we can provide each person with what they need to be successful. As a female leader, it is a passion and priority to intentionally create a culture of embracing equity where each person feels confident to bring their authentic self to the table and be recognized for the value they bring the team.
Yoshita Juggessur
(she/her) Inside Sales Representative
Be Bold. Be Brave. Be you! Show the world that women are unstoppable. Give each other space so that we can both give and receive great things like ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.
Izumi Kyle
(she/her) Sr. Product Manager, Canada - PPM Product Management
I will embrace equity by having a voice and not being afraid to stand up for myself or for others who are victims of discrimination, gender/unconscious biases and double standards. I have experienced first-hand their negative impacts. When I was younger, I would hear it, receive it and not question it. But now I have a grown-up voice that can call it, question it and hopefully prevent it so I can help pave the way for a more gender equal world for the next generation of women.
Brittany Landry
(she/her) Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Reputation
Creating equity is a choice, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all. My intention has always been to consciously recognize the imbalances that divide equal and accessible opportunities for myself and other women to thrive and not be afraid to use my voice when I see otherwise. I want to continue embracing equity by using my platform to help us connect the dots to get the support we each need to be our best. I believe that working together to make this happen allows us to feel strong, secure, and free in our ambitions knowing there is work being done on our behalf to create options instead of eliminating them.
Asha Nandam
(she/her) Sr. Manager, Configuration Services - Pre-Sales
I will embrace equity by committing to do the work to identify and address bias within myself and my team. I will strive to listen more so I can be a better advocate as a leader, recognizing that no two people have the same needs.
Mara Southard
(she/her) Sr. Professional Services Manager
I’m very mission-oriented and we can’t accomplish our mission unless each team member is equipped and enabled to perform at their best. That equipment and enablement looks different for different team members; I embrace equity by working to recognize and respond to those needs so everyone can make their biggest possible contribution to our mission.
Lorraine Van Barthold
(she/her) Senior Corporate Counsel – Legal, Risk, Ethics & Compliance (UK & International)
I strive to ensure that the diverse voices and opinions of every single member of our team are all heard by and represented in our company.
Learn more about CDW's DEI culture.
– CDW Team
As part of Women’s History Month, we are excited to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity, focusing on “a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.” We asked a few CDW coworkers across the globe how they #EmbraceEquity.
Melanie Britto
(she/her) Manager, Talent Development
I embrace equity by taking the time to understand my own unconscious biases and helping others do the same. Knowing our bias blind spots makes it easier to work together to build an equitable society. This is an important part of the process because it’s hard to have equity if we don’t take the time to understand the inequity we create for others through our own biases.
Azeb Dagnachew
(she/her) Associate Engineer
I work in IT, a male-dominated field. As a woman, I understand the struggle and the work it takes to overcome the unconscious bias and stereotype toward women. I also know I must do my part to open a door for other women and address issues loudly when I think it’s holding us back. I embrace equity and understand the importance of it to get us to our ultimate goal of creating an equal workplace for all cultures, races, gender, and sexual orientation. I also appreciate the steps CDW has taken to create more opportunities for women, and I look forward to contributing more.
Amanda Desourdis
(she/her) Corporate Communications Manager
I embrace equity by always seeking advice and opinions from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Myra Glover
(she/her) CDC Stocking Supervisor
I embrace equity by taking advantage of the wide range of available resources, classes, and training CDW has to offer to help build my confidence and provide the leverage I need to be successful. As a leader, I am committed to supporting and helping cultivate an environment of cultural confidence that enables those who aspire to reach their potential.
Sara Ignace
(she/her) Solution Domain Manager, Enhancement Services
Empathy is at the core of embracing equity. By seeking to listen to, respect, and honor people’s experiences, we can provide each person with what they need to be successful. As a female leader, it is a passion and priority to intentionally create a culture of embracing equity where each person feels confident to bring their authentic self to the table and be recognized for the value they bring the team.
Yoshita Juggessur
(she/her) Inside Sales Representative
Be Bold. Be Brave. Be you! Show the world that women are unstoppable. Give each other space so that we can both give and receive great things like ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.
Izumi Kyle
(she/her) Sr. Product Manager, Canada - PPM Product Management
I will embrace equity by having a voice and not being afraid to stand up for myself or for others who are victims of discrimination, gender/unconscious biases and double standards. I have experienced first-hand their negative impacts. When I was younger, I would hear it, receive it and not question it. But now I have a grown-up voice that can call it, question it and hopefully prevent it so I can help pave the way for a more gender equal world for the next generation of women.
Brittany Landry
(she/her) Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Reputation
Creating equity is a choice, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all. My intention has always been to consciously recognize the imbalances that divide equal and accessible opportunities for myself and other women to thrive and not be afraid to use my voice when I see otherwise. I want to continue embracing equity by using my platform to help us connect the dots to get the support we each need to be our best. I believe that working together to make this happen allows us to feel strong, secure, and free in our ambitions knowing there is work being done on our behalf to create options instead of eliminating them.
Asha Nandam
(she/her) Sr. Manager, Configuration Services - Pre-Sales
I will embrace equity by committing to do the work to identify and address bias within myself and my team. I will strive to listen more so I can be a better advocate as a leader, recognizing that no two people have the same needs.
Mara Southard
(she/her) Sr. Professional Services Manager
I’m very mission-oriented and we can’t accomplish our mission unless each team member is equipped and enabled to perform at their best. That equipment and enablement looks different for different team members; I embrace equity by working to recognize and respond to those needs so everyone can make their biggest possible contribution to our mission.
Lorraine Van Barthold
(she/her) Senior Corporate Counsel – Legal, Risk, Ethics & Compliance (UK & International)
I strive to ensure that the diverse voices and opinions of every single member of our team are all heard by and represented in our company.
Learn more about CDW's DEI culture.
– CDW Team
