Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1468707
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 M AY 3 0 , 2 0 2 2 C O R P O R AT E R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y "Usually when we talk about DEI, people assume that we are referring only to race," she says. "But when we talk about people of different identi- ties, that includes race and ethnic- ity, but also age, religion and culture, and the intersectionality of identities. Many parts of my identity intersect as well, and DEI work is inclusive of every single one of us." She also serves as the lead instruc- tor on foundational DEI training that's mandatory for all employees in which she aims to convey how and why DEI work is so important. e interactive sessions cover a wide range of topics, including unconscious bias and microaggression. "I don't believe these sessions are one and done," she says. "ey have to be continuous and really engaging and allow people to have difficult conversa- tions and lean into their discomfort." On the recruiting front, Northern Light Health recently received two grants related to diversifying its work- force and is waiting to hear back on other applications. Like many of her peers, Hassanien sees DEI as a work in progress. "I'm trained, but I make mistakes on a daily basis," she admits, adding that "I'm very gentle with people, and I want them to feel like there's psy- chological safety in speaking up. Even if there is pushback, let's unpack these issues together." R e n e e C o r d e s , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r w r i t e r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t r c o r d e s @ m a i n e b i z . b i z a n d @ r s c o r d e s P H O T O / S O U B A N H P H A N T H AY Northern Light Health Brewer-based nonprofit integrated health care system Workforce: More than 12,000 employees DEI Director: Marwa Hassanien F O C U S When we talk about people of different identities, that includes race and ethnicity, but also age, religion and culture, and the intersectionality of identities. — Marwa Hassanien Northern Light Health Marwa Hassanien, the daughter of Egyptian immigrants, draws on her multicultural background as DEI director at Northern Light Health, Maine's second-largest health system.