Equity, diversity and inclusion in freight transportation: A panel discussion

Inspired by the desire to create an equal and inclusive work environment where individual differences are valued, many government and private sector organizations have initiated practices to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.

To provide examples of such initiatives in practice, Sophia Sniegowski Begidzhanov (The Musket Transport Ltd. and CHET), Melissa Magder (Region of Peel), and Rebecca Wellum (Geotab), will discuss some initiatives that their organizations have put in place to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The panelists will also talk about the outcomes they have observed as well as the challenges their organizations have faced along the way.

This is a free online event, but registration is required. Register on Eventbrite to receive join details to attend.

About the speakers

Sophia Sniegowski Begidzhanov

With over 10 years of experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors, Sophia Sniegowski Begidzhanov has been a champion for the initiatives she’s led, providing positive influence and change for Canadians today. She has been a big proponent for drawing attention to the transportation industry, bringing forward proposals and innovative strategies for new standards and methodologies. Sophia is currently the Corporate Communications Officer for The Musket Transport Ltd. and Commercial Heavy Equipment Training Ltd. – CHET.

As the Corporate Communications Officer, Sophia has spearheaded initiatives such as Musket and CHET’s gender-balanced recruitment strategy; Truckers Against Trafficking training for students and drivers; Toys For Tots annual toy storage and transportation; Climate Smart certification; and many other environmental and community-based projects. In representation of Musket and CHET, she has been an active member of the Peel Goods Movement Task Force and the Smart Freight Centre.

Melissa Magder

Melissa Magder is the Advisor of Strategic Initiatives within the Office of Culture and Inclusion at the Regional Municipality of Peel. For the past twelve years Melissa has been working in the field of Diversity & Inclusion, driven by the desire to create an inclusive environment where individual differences are embraced and valued, and where everyone has the ability and support to develop their full potential.

A career coach with Rotman School of Management, Melissa works with internationally educated professionals to help them navigate the Canadian workplace and achieve their professional goals in Canada. She has a master’s degree in psychology.

Rebecca Wellum

Rebecca Wellum, CCEP, has over 25 years in Compliance and Program Management bridging tech centric organizations in very different industries. Presently, she oversees global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Compliance, Enterprise Risk/Audit, and Government Account Operations for the global leader in telematics solutions, Geotab Inc. Before joining Geotab in 2019, she spent four years at ADP Canada Inc. developing the Canadian compliance program, and 18 years in progressive program management and compliance leadership roles at Dell Technologies.

Diversity & Compliance are passions for Rebecca, who has long advocated for disability awareness and equity, having served two years as a board member for the Canadian Mental Health Association for Peel. Ambitions for the Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging program at Geotab is to meet the objectives of the Canadian 50:30 Challenge.

About the moderator

Alia Galal

Alia Galal received her BSc degree in Industrial Engineering from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Egypt in 2017. She is currently a third year PhD candidate in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto, co-supervised by Professors Matthew Roorda and Birsen Donmez. Alia’s PhD research combines freight transportation, human factors, and traffic safety, as she analyzes truck drivers’ skills and behaviour using a truck simulator. The aim of her research is to develop a truck driver training module specifically addressing latent hazard anticipation skills with the goal of improving traffic and vulnerable road user safety in Canada and worldwide. Alia is also the vice president of learning and development of the Graduate Society of Women Engineers (GradSWE) at the University of Toronto.

Presented by Smart Freight Centre Freight Leader Series and co-sponsored by Mobility Network and UT-ITE.

Free. All welcome. This event will be recorded and shared.

If any specific accommodations are needed, please contact smartfreight@utoronto.ca as early as possible.

Click here to register on Eventbrite to receive join details to attend.