Episode 91

full

Published on:

21st Nov 2024

Grassroots Growth - How TomTom Drive Inclusion at all Levels of the Organisation

In this episode, we’re joined by Mariya Findzhikova, the Global Lead of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at TomTom, to explore the power of grassroots growth in creating more inclusive workplace cultures.

Mariya shares how TomTom is embedding DEI principles into its business strategy, building employee resource groups, and fostering psychological safety for employees. From leveraging leadership buy-in to amplifying voices through storytelling, Mariya breaks down practical steps for cultivating inclusion at every level of an organisation.

We talk about creating safe spaces, empowering employee advocates, and using the “crawl, walk, run, fly” methodology to achieve long-term success.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn diversity into a true business advantage, Mariya’s thoughtful and honest perspective will leave you inspired.

Here are the highlights:

(3:50) Understanding DEI at TomTom

(5:12) Formation and Role of ERGs at TomTom

(7:22) Challenges and Basics of ERGs

(11:04) Engaging and Supporting ERG Members

(16:02) Training and Support for ERG Members

(20:48) The Principle of Multiplying

(24:55) Ensuring Psychological Safety

(26:18) Conclusion and Tips for DEI Professionals

Connect with Mariya:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariya-findzhikova/

https://tomtom.com/careers/

Connect with us here:

Website: https://aurorawellnessgroup.co.uk/

Ngozi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngozi-weller-aurora/

Obehi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obehi-alofoje-psychologist-aurora/

Aurora Company Profile 2025

Book a Call here: https://aurorawellnessgroup.co.uk/#book-meeting

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About the Podcast

The Wellbeing Rebellion

Welcome to The Wellbeing Rebellion, an award-winning podcast.

We’re Ngozi Weller and Obehi Alofoje, Directors at Aurora — a leadership and organisational effectiveness consultancy.

This podcast explores how the way organisations are led shapes performance, trust, wellbeing and culture over time.

The challenge with many approaches to wellbeing and culture is that they place responsibility on individuals to cope, rather than examining the leadership decisions, behaviours and systems that create the conditions people are working within.

This is where the conversation needs to shift.

On The Wellbeing Rebellion, we explore leadership behaviour, organisational systems and decision-making under pressure through honest conversations with senior leaders and advisors navigating real organisational complexity.

Some episodes are just us. Others bring in leaders and experts reflecting candidly on what works, what doesn’t, and what leadership requires in practice.

If you’re responsible for people, culture or organisational performance — and want to think more critically about how leadership shapes outcomes — this podcast is for you.

About your hosts

Obehi Alofoje

Obehi is a psychologist and culture change consultant who helps senior HR and business leaders reduce employee burnout, absenteeism & talent attrition through mental wellbeing strategy, training & coaching.

Ngozi Weller

Ngozi Weller is a culture change consultant and an ICF accredited coach who helps build resilience into your business by creating psychologically safe workplaces that enable employees to thrive.