In conversation, on the record, in print.

DEI as a Core Business Strategy

With Dave Bookbinder

Michael Bach discusses how DEIA is a fundamental business strategy rather than just a social initiative. He explores the impact of inclusive leadership on profitability, talent retention, and enterprise value. The conversation emphasizes using data to measure inclusion and provides practical insights for business owners to prioritize DEIA as an ongoing performance driver.

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Beyond the Moral Imperative: Leveraging IDEA for Business Success

With Becky Drozdz

Michael Bach joins host Becky Drozdz to discuss leveraging DEIA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) for business success. He explains why moving from a "social justice" or "moral" justification to a data-driven business case is key to making organizational change truly "sticky", covering the high costs of employee turnover and the impact of DEIA on recruitment and retention.

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Building Bridges: Inspiring Stories for International Day for Tolerance , Michael Bach | Ep 99

With Wisdom

Michael Bach joins the podcast to discuss the substance of DEIA and the International Day for Tolerance. He explores how organizations can move beyond symbolic gestures to build genuine inclusion through daily actions. Bach also highlights how privilege can be used as a practical tool for allyship in the workplace and community.

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The Power of Words: Think before you Post #108

With Aditya

Michael Bach discuss the realities of DEIA in today's polarized workplace and society, providing practical insights into building inclusive organizations. He addresses myths around diversity hires, explains why true inclusion is a merit-based business strategy, and offers strategies for navigating social media toxicity and bias while focusing on bottom-line outcomes.

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Season 8 Episode #1 Privilege as a Catalyst: How Michael Bach Turned Passion into Global Impact

With Jebeh Edmunds

Michael Bach discusses the role of privilege as a tool for driving change in the workplace. He explores common misconceptions about diversity and inclusion, the link between DEIA practices and financial performance, and the business benefits of employee engagement. Bach encourages shifting perspectives on privilege to foster tangible organizational impact and action.

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Privilege as a Catalyst: How Michael Bach Turned Passion into Global Impact

With Jebeh Edmunds

Michael Bach discusses how to use privilege as a catalyst for DEIA and cultural transformation. Drawing on his extensive experience in global inclusion leadership, he explains how personal passion can be harnessed to create systemic change. Bach shares practical insights on building inclusive spaces and explores the powerful intersection of identity and professional impact.

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privilege as a catalyst (feat. Michael Bach)

With Noah May

Michael Bach joins the podcast to discuss how privilege can serve as a powerful catalyst for advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility. As a DEIA strategist and author, he explores the importance of leveraging one's position to drive systemic change and shares insights on building inclusive cultures within modern organizations.

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EP 56: Creating safe, inclusive workplaces

With Anuradha Varma

Michael Bach discusses creating inclusive workplaces, sharing his personal journey of coming out as queer. He explains various gender and orientation terms within the DEIA framework, emphasizing the importance of mindful language. Bach also provides practical recommendations for organizations, such as implementing gender-neutral parental leave policies to ensure safe spaces for all employees.

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Michael Bach on why inclusion works best when everyone’s part of the conversation

With William Tincup and Ryan Leary

Michael Bach sits down with William Tincup and Ryan Leary to critique performative allyship and corporate backsliding in DEIA. He discusses the business case for inclusion, emphasizing that it works best when it includes everyone, including overrepresented groups, to drive profit, retention, and tangible business outcomes.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

With Annmarie Hylton

Michael Bach discusses the evolution and current state of DEIA initiatives, addressing the financial and ethical imperatives for inclusive work environments. He explores the complexities of DEIA rollbacks, the post-COVID landscape, and provides practical advice for organizations to foster long-term systemic change and authentic inclusion strategies.

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Beyond Buzzwords: Why DEI is About Merit, Not Quotas (with Michael Bach)

With The Weird Canadian

Michael Bach discusses how DEIA is focused on merit rather than quotas, debunking common misconceptions about the field. He explores the impact of unconscious bias on hiring and workplace culture while providing practical steps for organizations to implement DEIA. Bach emphasizes that inclusive spaces foster true meritocracy and benefit all employees by removing structural barriers.

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From Personal Struggle to Global Advocacy: Michael Bach Reshaping Workplace Inclusion

With Dr. Angelica & Cassy Thompson

Michael Bach discusses his transition from a childhood activist to a global DEIA leader, emphasizing how personal struggles with authenticity fuel effective advocacy. He explores the intersection of public DEIA work and private identity, noting that impactful workplace inclusion often begins with individuals learning to advocate for themselves.

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FAQ with Michael Bach

With Bernadette Smith

Michael Bach joins Bernadette Smith to recap DEIA insights in a bite-sized format. The discussion covers global inclusion, signing on to equity, and game-changing inclusion strategies. Bach also emphasizes the importance of mental health, suggesting personal self-care practices like getting sun or connecting with friends to maintain well-being while doing diversity work.

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Book 101 Review in its Fifth season, featuring Michael Bach as my guest

With Daniel Lucas

Michael Bach discusses DEIA principles and insights from his book Birds of All Feathers. He emphasizes the strategic business case for diversity and inclusion, explaining how organizations can foster innovation by creating equitable work environments. The conversation covers practical steps for leaders to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure all employees feel a genuine sense of belonging.

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E48: Leading Change: Michael Bach on IDEA Strategies

With Christopher Michael Lee

Michael Bach shares insights on fostering inclusive environments by integrating accessibility into diversity, equity, and inclusion (IDEA) initiatives. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, he discusses the importance of embedding accessibility into organizational practices to empower individuals with disabilities and enhance overall societal equity through strategic DEIA leadership and implementation.

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Keeping AI Inclusive: Cautionary Tales and Proactive Solutions

With Anne Sparaco

Michael Bach discusses the transformative role of AI in I&D and emphasizes the need for careful integration to mitigate biases. He highlights AI potential to innovate HR functions like talent attraction and pay equity audits while cautioning against excessive reliance on technology without human intervention to ensure workplace accessibility and inclusivity.

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Inclusive Leadership

With Victoria Mattingly

Michael Bach discusses inclusive leadership, sharing insights on common mistakes and practical strategies for leaders. He explores how to build a more inclusive workplace using a data-driven approach and shares highlights from his experience as a DEIA strategist and author. The conversation focuses on actionable steps to foster workplace inclusion and belonging.

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Michael Bach: What Exclusion is Costing Your Company

With Maria Ross

Michael Bach discusses the business impact of exclusion and the importance of investing in DEIA initiatives. He shares insights on navigating organizational change, understanding the breadth of disabilities, and the distinction between diversity and inclusion. The conversation also explores the backlash against DEIA and how empathy serves as a tool for creating safer, more inclusive work environments.

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Author Michael Bach Discusses Similarities and Differences Between U.S. and Canadian DEI Issues

With Dorie Clark

Michael Bach joins Dorie Clark to discuss the distinct differences in how the United States and Canada approach DEIA. He explores the unique cultural and historical contexts of both nations, providing insights into their respective diversity conversations and highlighting why a one-size-fits-all approach to DEIA does not work across borders.

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Avoid the Cost of Exclusion with IDEA

With Clare Kumar

Michael Bach discusses the business case for DEIA, specifically using the acronym IDEA which stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. He critiques performative actions like land acknowledgments and rainbow logos, emphasizing the need for practical, data-driven strategies and sustained effort to create truly inclusive and equitable workplace environments.

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Michael Bach Named a Top 10 Influential DEI Leader Revamping the Future

Michael Bach reflects on his career in DEIA, detailing his transition from corporate leadership to founding the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. He provides strategic advice on simplifying inclusion efforts, practicing selfless advocacy, and celebrating incremental progress, while highlighting his books as practical guides for workplace accessibility and LGBTQ2+ inclusion.

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Michael Bach: Building a Powerful & Influential Legacy as an IDEA Author & Thought Leader

With CIO VIEWS

Michael Bach discusses his transition from IT consulting to becoming a prominent DEIA strategist and author. He details the growth of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and emphasizes the shift from performative gestures to authentic organizational change. Bach also shares practical advice on leadership, the impact of his books, and the necessity of boundaries for sustainable DEIA work.

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Creating A Thriving Diversity & Inclusion Consulting Firm with Michael Bach

With Michael Zipursky

Michael Bach discusses his journey starting and growing a successful DEIA consulting firm. He shares insights on building a consultancy in an emerging industry, the importance of certifications like CCIP, and strategies for proactive outreach and sales team development. The conversation also covers operational aspects such as funding and managing growth.

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The Key To Diversity & Inclusion In Consulting

With Michael Zipursky

Michael Bach discusses the importance of DEIA in consulting, sharing insights from his experience at KPMG and founding CCDI Consulting. He explores how consultants can implement DEIA practices to create better working environments, the role of credibility in consulting, and strategies for inclusive client engagement and recruitment in firms of all sizes.

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Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion

With Darren Stehle

Michael Bach discusses his book regarding LGBTQ2+ inclusion in the workplace. He explains the differences between sex, sexuality, and gender while emphasizing the importance of safe spaces and the cost of hiding one's identity. Bach also provides insights on pronouns and the Heterosexual Questionnaire as tools for fostering DEIA and understanding the experience of being othered.

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Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity & Inclusion Right

With Alex Fullick

Michael Bach discusses the foundational elements of DEIA, exploring key concepts like intersectionality and the social justice versus innovation models. He addresses common misconceptions such as reverse discrimination while highlighting the business case for inclusion and the importance of measuring success to ensure organizational initiatives are effective.

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Internationally Recognized Thought Leader in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

With Darren Stehle

Michael Bach discusses the foundational concepts of inclusion and diversity, emphasizing a shift from social justice models to business-driven creativity. He explores the importance of workplace respect over personal beliefs and explains the critical differences between equality and equity. Additionally, Bach touches on LGBTQ2+ inclusion and the necessity of year-round commitment to DEIA efforts.

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Michael Bach on Diversity and Inclusion

With Dr Robin Yap

Michael Bach discusses the current state and future of DEIA within human and learning experiences. He explores global trends, the importance of education, and effective hiring practices. Bach also addresses the role of technology and strategies for training newcomers to foster more inclusive environments within organizations.

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If Diversity Is Our Strength, Inclusion Is Our Superpower

With James Lenz

Michael Bach discusses the distinction between diversity and inclusion, emphasizing that while diversity represents unique differences, inclusion creates welcoming spaces. He highlights talent acquisition as the primary driver for DEIA initiatives, explaining that executive teams must reflect the diverse workforce to ensure they are recruiting the best individuals.

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Michael Bach on Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

With Jeffrey Orridge

Michael Bach discusses his book 'Birds of All Feathers' and the practical steps organizations must take to prioritize DEIA. He explores the business case for inclusion, the importance of leadership commitment, and how to create sustainable equitable workplaces. The conversation highlights the transition from diversity as a buzzword to actionable, meaningful change within corporate structures.

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‘Ending Racism: What Will It Take?’: Rogers to air national special Thursday

With Donnovan Bennett and Tracy Moore

Michael Bach joins other thought leaders for a national special exploring systemic racism and injustices in Canada. As a DEIA expert, Bach discusses unique experiences with systemic discrimination and shares insights on how Canadians can advocate for impactful change. The program aims to continue the conversation in the fight to eliminate racism across equity seeking communities.

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Embracing diversity with Michael Bach

Michael Bach discusses his DEIA strategies and his book Birds of All Feathers, which serves as a guide for employers to foster inclusive workplaces. He explains the importance of establishing a business case for DEIA and providing step-by-step processes to attract diverse talent. Bach also touches upon his personal background and professional journey as a DEIA thought leader.

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How You Can Speak Up to Promote Diversity and Inclusion

With Bart Egnal

Michael Bach discusses how DEIA definitions vary across organizations and provides practical suggestions for supporting colleagues by speaking up for diversity and inclusion. He uses real life examples to explain the nuances of these concepts in the workplace. The conversation focuses on moving from theoretical understanding to active advocacy for more inclusive professional environments.

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Discussing Diversity and Inclusion with Michael Bach

With Miles HR

Michael Bach discusses the evolution of DEIA in the workplace, emphasizing its impact on productivity and retention. He addresses common barriers like self-interest and the myth of merit, while providing strategies for mitigating bias in hiring and developing a diverse talent pipeline through valid assessment processes and meaningful career conversations.

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Soul of the City 9 - Diversity is Good Business

Michael Bach discusses the business case for DEIA, highlighting how diversity serves as a strategic driver for organizational success. He explores topics such as the inclusion of employees with disabilities, the influence of diversity on customer engagement, and the career impact of childbirth on women. Bach provides insights on leveraging diversity to improve business outcomes.

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