In this powerful episode of Room at the Table, host Betsy Cerulo welcomes Todd Bavol, CEO of Integrity Staffing Solutions and founder of BE the Transformational Change. Together, they unpack the crucial elements of creating truly inclusive workplaces—with a laser focus on supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.

From combating misinformation to implementing fair hiring practices, Todd shares actionable strategies for fostering diversity and empowering marginalized voices in professional settings. Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or passionate ally, this conversation offers a roadmap for driving meaningful change in your organization and community.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) Intro: Meet Todd Bavol
• (01:52) The inspiring story behind BE the Transformational Change
• (05:10) Why diversity is non-negotiable for business success
• (11:05) Tackling inequities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community
• (15:31) The real impact of BE the Transformational Change
• (24:03) Practical ways to support transgender employees
• (29:07) Proud achievements and closing thoughts
• (34:09) Outro: Resources for equitable workplaces

Key Takeaways:

• Diversity as a Business Imperative: Diversity isn't just about representation, but about delivering the best service and value to customers and creating the strongest solutions. Diversity of thought, experience, and opinion is crucial for businesses to stay ahead of rapid changes in business and technology.
• Education as a Tool for Inclusion: Integrity Staffing Solutions uses monthly publications to educate employees about diverse life experiences. This approach helps combat misinformation and fosters understanding, particularly about the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ community members in the workplace.
• Advocating for Associate Success: As one of Integrity Staffing Solution's core values, this involves empowering the workforce to support employees across various work environments, demonstrating that being a good human means standing up for others.

Guest Bio: Todd Bavol

Todd Bavol is the Chairman of Integrity Staffing Solutions and the creator of Vision X, an employee-centered think tank focused on leveling up talent across the organization and keeping the company at the forefront of staffing industry disruption. With over 35 years of experience in the staffing industry, Todd co-founded Integrity Staffing in 1997 and helped grow it into a nationally recognized leader in high-volume workforce solutions—connecting over a million people to meaningful employment opportunities.

An advocate for social impact, Todd is also the founder of Be The Transformational Change Fund, a nonprofit committed to advancing equity for the LGBTQIA+ community by addressing systemic barriers to employment, housing insecurity, and creating solutions to other social injustice issues. His work blends business innovation with a deep commitment to people, always with an eye toward building a more inclusive and empowered future.

Resources & Mentions:

• More episodes at: http://roomatthetablepodcast.com
• BE the Transformational Change: http://bethetransformationalchange.org
• Integrity Staffing Solutions: http://integritystaffing.com
• NGLCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce): http://nglcc.org
• The Williams Institute: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu
• The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Tags:

Todd Bavol, diversity in workforce, inclusive workplaces, LGBTQIA+ employment, transformational change, staffing industry, equitable hiring practices, workplace education, employee empowerment, transgender support, allyship in business, diversity of thought, leadership development, social justice initiatives, employment barriers, workplace discrimination, LGBTQIA+ workforce survey, business ethics, corporate social responsibility, talent acquisition, workplace culture, gender identity, fair hiring practices, employee advocacy, nonprofit organizations, diversity training