SPECIAL FEATURE Inclusion and Diversity/Parent Perspective
EDUCATION CHOICES PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH
Dr. Sandie Okoro Dr. Sandie Okoro discusses the importance of using her ‘voice’ to support gender and racial equality and shares some insight into her childhood and education that enabled her to become a diversity and inclusion champion and take her current position as General Counsel at World Bank and Senior Vice President.
CAREER What are some of the most exciting things that you feel that you have achieved so far in your dynamic and diverse career? I am currently at the World Bank as General Counsel of the World Bank Group, and Senior Vice President. It was a big one, it was a really big step up in terms of GC role, and being in an area of development where it is all about ending poverty is huge and something I’ve hugely enjoyed. I would also say that some of the things that I have done outside of work have been really important to me: the work I have done promoting gender equality, racial equality – all of that on the diversity and inclusion side, many different forms of things that I am very, very proud of. So, I would really say that the balance between this sort of day job, and getting this big job at the Bank, and doing the work that I have been doing on diversity and inclusion. At the Bank at the moment, I am Chair of the Anti-Racism Task Force, which is something that came into being about a year ago, and I am very proud of the work that we have been doing there. It is a lot of work to do. We’ve recently done an Anti-Racism charter internally, so it is really taking that concept of racial equality and equity forward. So, I think there are many different 1 4 | EDUCATION CHOICES MAGAZINE | AU T U M N 2 02 1
things, all of which I think tie up together. I would really encourage anybody out there, no matter what age they are, no matter where they are in their careers, to do a little bit extra on the side. If you’re a pupil at school – get involved in extracurricular activities around diversity and inclusion. In your work, in the charities around you, everywhere because it is really important because your voice is very needed and we need everybody involved. To hear more about HSBC please listen to the podcast
“If you’re a pupil at school – get involved in extracurricular activities around diversity and inclusion. In your work, in the charities around you, everywhere because it is really important because your voice is very needed and we need everybody involved.” »
