Celebrating Our Diverse Team – Meet Emily McKenzie

In an era that champions inclusivity and equality, we consider it vital to celebrate the unique perspectives and journeys that our employees bring to the table. And we believe there is no better time to do this than EU Diversity Month. Taking place annually during May, EU Diversity Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the value of inclusion and diversity in the workplace and society.

To mark this important initiative, we launched a workplace diversity series at the beginning of May to highlight the cultural backgrounds and experiences of the diverse individuals who make up our extraordinary team here at Codex. So far, we have delved into the unique cultural experiences of Brazil, South Africa and Italy, exploring the personal stories and diverse backgrounds of Bárbara Dominguez and Ricardo Giacovazzi, with both highlighting the immeasurable value diversity adds to our organisation.

Ending the series is Codex Head of Marketing and Canadian native Emily McKenzie. Emily hails from the coastal city of Vancouver in the southwest corner of Canada. Known for its scenic views, mild climate and friendly people, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities, so it seems fitting to end our series.

Celebrating Diversity at Codex

Emily moved to Ireland in January 2017, and despite initially thinking that she would be here for only a year, she is still here 6+ years later.

So, how have Emily’s Canadian roots shaped her personal and professional life? Read on to find out more about our resident marketing powerhouse.

1. Can you describe some unique aspects of your cultural background that you think people might find interesting or surprising?

“We Canadians love good food, and poutine is a personal favourite for me! The delicious dish consists of chips, cheese curds, and gravy. It is so popular in Canada that it has its own festival, ‘La Poutine Week’!

Fun fact: I won a poutine eating contest back in 2010, eating it in 46 seconds. No, there (thankfully!) is no video footage.”

2. What values or beliefs from your cultural background do you feel have influenced your personal and professional growth?

It’s often joked about, but Canadians have a reputation for being notoriously polite, and I personally believe the stereotype is true. As far as this concerns my personal and professional growth, I can see this playing a role in how I interact with others both inside and outside the office. Over the years, I have been actively trying to work to ensure that my innate tendency for wanting to be polite does not interfere with me being honest or communicative with my peers and team members – as it is ultimately more important for me to make sure that I am showing my authentic self.

We Canadians tend to love rules also and are sticklers for punctuality, so it has been an adjustment to get used to the ‘it will be grand’ Irish ways over the last 6+ years of living here. However, I have felt myself slowly relaxing into this and have even mastered the art of driving in Dublin, which a rule-abiding Canadian can only describe as ‘functional chaos’.”

3. What would you like people to know or appreciate about your cultural background, and why is it important to you?

“I consider myself incredibly lucky to be from Canada. It is a beautiful country and one that I will always feel a natural affinity and longing for – no matter how much time passes. As an adult (and now as a mother), I appreciate the safety, security, opportunity, and well-being I was lucky to be afforded as a Canadian citizen. Where I am from on the West Coast is very liberal and progressive compared to other areas of the world. I consider myself privileged to have grown up with equal opportunities that many young girls and women may not be as lucky to have. As a result, I had an excellent education and access to many opportunities that gave me a serious leg up and head start compared to many, which I would attribute much of my success to today.

I was saying this to colleagues the other day - one of my favourite things about Canada is how diverse the country is. Vancouver is very multicultural. Over 41.8% of residents identify as immigrants, with 11.3% being Irish."

"I love how Canada adopts a mosaic approach to immigration, where cultural groups are encouraged to retain their distinct identities and feel that it brings a unique experience to the city. As a female leader on Codex’s Senior Management Team, diversity and inclusion are incredibly important topics to me, and I am thrilled to see them becoming such a focus for employers.”

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At Codex, we passionately believe that diversity is not only morally imperative but also a business imperative. We have implemented various initiatives and programmes to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our GPTW team is actively building a legacy for Codex and the communities around us by championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through our ongoing efforts, we aim to improve the workplace culture and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us.

We regularly run workshops and training sessions to promote cultural awareness and sensitivity. Our recruitment process is also designed to attract and retain diverse candidates, and we ensure that our hiring practices are fair and unbiased. We embrace diversity in all forms and are committed to creating a welcoming, equitable, inclusive workplace that supports all our employees.

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