In early 2016, Instructure launched its Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Council to “make Instructure an awesome place to work for everyone.” Those were our words for the mission of the Council at the time, and building a workplace where people can thrive and develop in their careers remains a foundational tenet of our Council today.

In 2017, the Council grew from a dozen members who work in our headquarters to more than 70 people from all of our offices around the world. We recognized our HQ-based approach could be more inclusive and encouraged all our offices to have DIB Council subcommittees. Today, we continue to learn, adjust, and ensure we cultivate a culture that is founded on diversity, inclusion, and our company values—and yes, we still focus on making Instructure awesome for everyone. We aren’t perfect, but we keep working.

From the beginning, we have taken a different approach to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Instead of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), we have workgroups of about 10-20 people that partner with HR and come together to focus on the Council’s strategic pillars: Inclusion & Belonging at work and in community; Accessibility; Career Development; and Diverse Hiring.

As the lead on the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council at Instructure, Becky Frost works closely with the executive sponsor, Jeff Weber, EVP of People and Places, ensuring that the Council’s work aligns closely with HR initiatives. She partners with global leaders to empower each office location to remain consistent with organizational goals, and relevant for their locations. This approach has meant that teams have the freedom to focus on areas they need most and interact with various community groups in unique ways.