DEI Art Exhibition
I Cannot Compromise Who I Am
Gabriela Billini is a Senior Consultant in Cyber Risk Services and a member of the Risk Advisory Diversity & Inclusion Team. She is also the curator and project manager for Deloitte’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Art Exhibition with the theme 'I Cannot Compromise Who I Am". Her interest in DEI stems from her layered identity and an interest in engaging with individuals that also have a mosaic-like background and/or who are curious about the world and different people.
What inspired you to take on this project?
Art is something that I consume and engage with regularly since I was very young. While the Risk Advisory DEI team was looking for fun ways to celebrate diversity, the idea came to me. Art exhibitions aim to create dialogue (and raise questions) as well as to bring people together. That’s exactly what I want for our DEI journey.
I was confident that many of our colleagues would have creative skills that are kept under wraps. I therefore asked our leadership to let me go out on a limb and find artists in-house. I wanted to create space for colleague artists to foster a sense of community, pride and help them feel confident in their skills, regardless of experience.
Finally, identity is a concept that I am fascinated by and think about regularly as a Dominican from New York who also happens to be French. This is how ‘I Cannot Compromise Who I Am’ was born – from an interest to see how others represent their identity through art.
It was a pleasure to watch our colleagues reveal their creative sides, which are too often left at home, and to a create space for them to show a better picture of who they are.
How has Deloitte fostered an environment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)?
I think it’s great that Deloitte has Inclusion Champions in each business line who is advocating to create and promote inclusive culture.
In addition, this exhibition is proof that if an innovative idea comes along that can be both engaging and reflective in the DEI space, leadership is willing to support.
Finally, there are a number of Employee Resource Groups that Deloitte invests in to address key and relevant topics like DEI, multiculturalism and disabilities among others. I think that shows a sincere interest to address these topics and help employees feel comfortable.
What impact has the DEI Art Vernissage made?
There was a wonderful wave of energy at the vernissage and since the art was put on display for our people to experience. Let’s just say that there’s an appetite to continue embracing art at Deloitte and it’s my hope to establish a tradition of art and creativity in the company.
What would you say to someone considering a role at Deloitte?
My time at Deloitte thus far has been very exciting and a lot of it is thanks to the leadership for its willingness to do things differently and try new things. There are plenty of opportunities to create impact within the organisation through internal initiatives and I’m grateful for them. On the client side, we’re brought in as trained experts and are also given many opportunities to deliver impact at all grades.