The challenges of EDI audits: from design to implementation and evaluation

About this event

Join experts to explore how EDI audits & the Maturity Curve help organisations assess inclusion, set priorities & drive meaningful change

Join us for a transformative discussion on EDI audits and organisational growth.

Are you a human resources professional or an HR student passionate about driving equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within organisations? This engaging webinar, led by Joanna Aunon, Chief Impact Officer at WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, and Dr. Charikleia Tzanakou, Director of the Centre for Diversity, Policy, Research and Practice at Oxford Brookes University, offers invaluable insights into how EDI audits can empower organisations to identify challenges, set priorities, and advance inclusive practices.

Attendees will explore the groundbreaking Maturity Curve—a collaborative framework designed by academics and sector leaders—that has transformed how businesses assess themselves and the sector as a whole.

This session will provide a deep dive into the co-design process behind the Maturity Curve, its practical applications, and the impact it has had across industries. Dr. Tzanakou will share insights into its foundational model and methodology, while Joanna Aunon will present how it was successfully implemented with WiHTL members, demonstrating its tangible benefits.

To bring this framework to life, Gerri Charles, DEI Officer at McDonald's UK&I will share real-world experiences of using the Maturity Curve, highlighting both the challenges faced and the meaningful change achieved. With 20-25 minutes of open discussion, participants will have the chance to engage, ask questions, and gain actionable strategies to enhance inclusion within their own organisations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from two leading experts and gain practical tools to advance EDI in the workplace. Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of inclusive workplaces!

About the speakers

Dr. Charikleia Tzanakou

Dr. Charikleia (Charoula) Tzanakou, Director of the Centre for Diversity, Policy, Research and Practice at Oxford Brookes University is an expert in gender equality and diversity, specialising how the design, implementation and evaluation of EDI initiatives can lead to organizational change. She has led many EU and UK-funded projects on gender equality and diversity, structural change and socio-economic inequalities.

Oxford Brookes University is a leading institution known for its commitment to impactful research and progressive education. Through the Centre for Diversity, Policy, Research and Practice, Oxford Brookes fosters inclusive environments and drives meaningful change across academia and beyond. Dr. Tzanakou’s expertise in organizational EDI audits enable institutions to identify challenges, set priorities, and implement strategies for long-term diversity and inclusion success.

Joanna Aunon

Joanna Aunon is the Chief Impact Officer at WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, leading initiatives to foster inclusive cultures and diverse leadership across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure, and Retail sectors. With over 20 years of experience in talent management and executive development at global brands like Hilton International, TJX Europe, ISG plc, and Paramount Restaurants, she specialises in EDI strategy and organisational audits. Her work helps businesses identify challenges, set priorities, and implement actionable steps towards meaningful inclusion.

WiHTL & Diversity in Retail are the world’s only Collaboration Community devoted to increasing inclusion across Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail. Joanna also contributes as an advisory board member and mentor, supporting scholarship programs that empower future leaders. Passionate about workplace inclusion, she is a sought-after speaker and consultant, driving systemic change through strategic initiatives.

Gerri Charles, DEI Officer, McDonald’s

Gerri is the DEI Officer at McDonald's UK&I, with over 20 years of experience in HR, recruitment and colleague development. Based in Greater Manchester, she leads initiatives to foster a culture of belonging for a workforce of 170,000+, drawing on a career that spans beauty therapy, retail management and HR leadership.

Her passion for DEI is shaped by both professional insight and lived experience both as a single mum to Black and bi-racial sons and now as a grandmother to an autistic child. As a result, Gerri is committed to building equitable workplaces, where anyone can thrive and reach their potential and likes to bring a real-world, actionable lens to ensuring DEI strategies are workable and implemented in the best way.

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