The Data Doesn’t Lie: How One Tech Firm Is Changing the DEI Space

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In this episode, Rianka speaks with Star Carter, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Kanarys, a technology startup focused on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, with its work rooted in data and analytics.

Star and her co-founder Mandy are two of only 93 Black women who have raised over $1M in VC funding - an incredible feat given the fact that Black women founders receive only 0.06 percent of all VC money (a billion dollar industry).

Founded in 2018, the company’s name is a play on the “canary in the coal mine” idiom; similar to how these birds can detect toxic gas long before the human body can, likewise the firm sees its role in helping to detect and extinguish toxic behaviors in the workplace. They signal to their partners what is going well, what needs work, and where they can improve in the DEI space.

Could data be the key to helping more leaders, especially those in financial services, implement long lasting and meaningful DEI programs? While many companies have signaled a desire to be more transparent, none are eager to be the first adopters.

Star explains that any industry that is risk averse/conscious by nature (including the legal and financial services industries) are usually slow to adopt anything new. On the other hand, she shares that the technology industry has moved quicker on the issue - likely because they understand the impact of how major social trends can make or break a company.

Could a consortium be the answer for financial services?

Through the Kanarys Platform, employees can anonymously share feedback of their lived experiences allowing employers to get a fuller picture of the current workplace environment.

Star shares how the firm walks besides company partners, collecting the data and leading the strategic and tactical part of implementing the recommendations.

What You’ll Learn:

Why consistent training is critical to ensure key learnings in DEI are understood and implemented correctly
Why tailored solutions may be better than best practices for companies.
How intersectionality plays a tremendous role in shaping DEI programs