April 29, 2020

Why Z, with Ana Elisa Souffront

Episode 43:

Ana Elisa Souffront has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago. She brings a perspective of advocacy and activism to Diversity and Inclusion. As an activist herself, she speaks to the importance of difference. Her experience within advocacy includes working on the Right to Marry Campaign in Minnesota, interning for Embrace Dignity, a non-profit working to partially decriminalize prostitution in South Africa, and also working as a fellow at the Minnesota Youth Collective, a non-profit political organization. She continues to push for the importance of diversity and inclusion as she looks to the legal field, attending law school in the fall of this year.

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

  • How Generation Z, which is just now beginning to enter the workforce, is far larger than the other 4-5 generations in our workforce today
  • How growing up with a diversity and inclusion practitioner for a mom made a lasting impression on Ana Elisa
  • Ana Elisa shares some of the most common misconceptions about Generation Z, typically defined as workers born after 1997
  • How Ana Elisa feels key experiences, such as growing up with the first African American President and the legalization of same-sex marriage, have impacted her generation
  • Why being younger and more comfortable with difference doesn’t necessarily translate into Millennials and Generation Z being more culturally competent
  • Why Ana Elisa feels that Generation Z tends to expect more responsive and engaged managers and want face-to-face interaction
  • How Ana Elisa anticipates Generation Z will impact the workplace, and how Generation Z is uniquely different from Millennials
  • What advice Ana Elisa would offer to diversity and inclusion practitioners wanting to attract and retain Generation Z employees

Additional resources: