Creating a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: Chris shares his experience

Creating a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: Chris shares his experience

For our first Medallia Life Spotlight, we sat down with new Medallian, Christopher Randolph (he/him/his), our Global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Strategist. Chris joined Medallia this past July, as we continue to invest in our DIB team and initiatives. Chris joins Medallia with experience in the talent acquisition field at companies such as Houzz, Equinox, and most recently, Everlaw. 

At Medallia, we believe in “Hiring the Whole Person.” Chris is not only a diversity, inclusion & belonging professional, but also a proud Black man, social justice advocate and sneaker head.

What attracted you to this role?

Knowing I would have a hand in aiding minorities find their place in tech was and still is extremely motivating. Being in recruiting in the tech space for years, I noticed teams that embraced diversity were thriving, but I also noticed that people who look like me had trouble breaking through into the world of tech. So I wanted to bridge the gap and help companies do better, but more importantly, I wanted to help minorities get into the tech space.

What do you like most about your job?

There is a lot that I like about my role, but one of my favorite things is the opportunity to partner with a talent team that is just as invested in diversity and inclusion as I am. It’s rare to see companies that are invested in building a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It’s even more rare to see companies that are numbers driven in their approach to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, which was a major draw for me when looking at my next step. 

Why did you want to get into this field?

I’ve been working in the talent acquisition space for tech companies for years now, and I regularly saw diversity and inclusion efforts get pushed to the back burner at so many companies. I finally got to a point where I said I wanted a culture of diversity and inclusion to not just be my everyday, but also a main priority for my next company.

Any tips for someone considering a career in this field?

For diversity, inclusion and belonging professionals, I would say patience. It takes time to see the change you are driving. For companies looking to invest in efforts to transform their corporate culture, I would tell them it’s not just about hiring people of color. It’s about building a diverse and inclusive culture that not only welcomes all people but allows those people to be who they are at all times. Diversity, inclusion and belonging is not a finite goal that you achieve one day. It’s something that changes and evolves over time, so it should always be a priority even as your efforts mature.

What’s something people may not know about you?

I can watch anything by Studio Ghibli or anything that is claymation. Some of my favorite movies are Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Spirited Away. 

Just about everyone has a memorable customer experience. Do you have one you can share and why does it still stand out?

It was the holiday season and I was planning on driving about 9 hours to propose to my now wife on Christmas Day. I had pre-paid for a rental car for the trek and when I arrived to pick up my car, I was told the company had run out of cars, even though I paid to reserve. I called another local rental company and the rep on the phone went above and beyond to help me. First, he came and picked me up from the original rental company. And as we were going over which vehicle I’d like, he upgraded my choice but only charged me the original fee that I had paid at the other location. He had already gained my business by coming to pick me up, but the upgrade solidified that I was a lifelong customer.

Who is someone that has helped shape your career time at Medallia so far?

Lauren Jackman (LJ). She leads our small but mighty DIB team and is such a big supporter of all the work that is ahead for Medallia. It’s a great feeling to know your work matters, but also that the person who is leading you believes in you.

Are you a part of any Medallia Employee Resources Groups (ERGs)?

Yes, and not just because of the nature of my role. I want to ensure that I am able to support all of the employee resource groups as much as I can. Personally, I chose to join Blacks at Medallia and iFAM because of my self identification, but I also joined Q-field and Vets at Medallia. I wanted to learn more about the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, and I have several family members who have served in the armed forces, so felt I could be an ally to the Vets community. 

Medallia is growing, and dedicated to “hiring the whole person,” join the #MedalliaLife by heading to our careers page and applying today! 

Follow Medallia Life on Instagram & Twitter