In the summer of 2020, I was completing my masters in gender studies. At the same time, the world was reeling from the murder of George Floyd and demands for social justice, policy change and greater education around race and racism were at the forefront of the movement. As someone who has long advocated for the rights of vulnerable groups, I was more eager than ever to harness my education and utilise my experiences to help bring sustainable and equitable change to the world. At the time, and like most people, I was grappling with the mental toll of living through a pandemic, on top of being a high-risk person desperately awaiting a vaccine, so I did not know how, or even, if I could help. In late 2020, the opportunity arose to apply to a new group within Sky, and I was incredibly fortunate enough to have been successful in my application to the inaugural Diversity Action Group for Sky Ireland.

The Diversity Action Group (DAG) was borne out of the need for more accountability, quantifiable equality within the workplace and tangible cultural change through education, collaboration, and inclusivity. The DAG utilises its members knowledge, lived experiences and ideas in order to aid Sky Ireland in attaining its diversity and inclusion goals. We also act as an advisory board to any area of the business that requires our expertise. We meet with our CEO, JD Buckley monthly to keep him up to date with our activities, get his advice or approval on various initiatives and advise him of ways in which he can support the group in reaching our diversity and inclusion goals.

Initially, my role in the group was to lead on our culture pillar which served to make D+I part of Sky’s DNA through dedicated events, selection of a charity partnership, engagement with networks and other internal Sky groups. Since the group has expanded, each member looks after specific projects that we have either spearheaded or volunteered for. My main area of focus currently is in leading the DAG’s Film Club where attendees are invited to openly discuss and think critically about a select film that focuses on a diverse topic or underrepresented group. I also lead on organising lunch and learn events with our charity partner, the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) – having been on the panel who selected the IRC as Sky’s charity partnership, this one is especially close to my heart as the work they do is invaluable, and it is a privilege to learn from them during these sessions. Lastly, I act as a point of contact for the Women@sky Network whilst also supporting and engaging with other DAG member’s projects and initiatives.

I joined Sky in 2016, attracted by the behaviours and values that are important to Sky. A previous workplace experience lit a fire and a fight in me that has never left and working for Sky has enabled me to turn that fire into an important outlet that allows me to uplift, advocate for and create space for my colleagues who have experienced/are experiencing varying forms of oppression. In the words of the brilliant Angela Davis, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”