This episode features keynote speaker Eliana Raggio Director of Industry Relations at Digital Air Strike and Board Member in Women in Automotive. Eliana distinguishes allyship from mentorship and discusses the benefits of both for professional development. She also talks about the importance of finding a mentor and the benefits of being a mentor, including the satisfaction of helping others succeed and the opportunity to be a part of someone's legacy.

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What we discuss in this episode:

In the automotive industry, it is important to be an ally in the workplace in order to improve retention, boost productivity and profits, and create a positive company culture. One way to be an ally is to familiarize oneself with issues related to diversity and inclusion, and to advocate for equal opportunity and fair career growth for all employees. It is also important to challenge the status quo and extend opportunities to those who may be overlooked or underrepresented.

Having a sponsor in the workplace can also be beneficial, as it can lead to an average pay increase of 11.6%. A sponsor is someone who advocates for an employee and has a vested interest in their career growth. It is important to have both performance currency, which is gained by excelling at one's job, and relationship currency, which is gained through building connections and investing in others.

Keypoints from the Episode:

• Mentorship involves a more experienced person guiding and nurturing the professional development of another person
• Mentors offer one-on-one advice, guidance, coaching, and can serve as a sounding board and role model
• A study by the Harvard Business Journal found that 71% of CEOs with formal mentoring arrangements saw an improvement in company performance, 69% made better decisions, and 84% credited their mentors with helping them avoid costly mistakes and become more proficient in their roles faster
• Being a mentor has benefits including the satisfaction of helping others succeed, being a part of someone's legacy, and the opportunity to develop leadership skills
• Allyship requires ongoing effort and requires learning and growing along with the group or individual being supported
• Allyship can involve speaking up, using privilege to amplify marginalized voices, and actively working to dismantle systems of oppression
• It is important to recognize that allyship is not a title or identity, but a verb and a continuous process.   

In today's workforce, allyship and sponsorship are crucial to achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the automotive industry. Allyship is a concept that involves actively supporting and advocating for marginalized groups in order to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is different from mentorship, which is a relationship between two people where one person helps guide the professional development of the other. Allyship involves an individual using their influence or authority to help another person advance in their career. An example of allyship is the story of William Mina Fleming, who was hired as an astronomer at the Harvard Observatory despite having no formal training and being a single mother working as a maid at the time. Her mentor, Professor Edward Charles Pickering, saw something special in her and advocated for her, leading to her successful career in astronomy. Sponsorship is also similar to allyship, as it involves an individual using their influence to open up opportunities for others. It is important to have both mentors and allies in order to succeed and advance in one's career. Eliana will delve into the importance of allyship, which involves actively supporting and advocating for marginalized groups.

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