Marie Louise Sunde: Combating Gender Equality Woes with Equality Check
Top 10 Most Inspiring CEOs to Watch Out For in 2022
Inspiration comes in wonderful ways and for
Marie Louise Sunde, Co-founder and CEO of Equality Check, it came when she was
invited to the UN HQ in 2014 for their #HeForShe launch, where Emma Watson
presented her motivational speech to mark the beginning of the fourth feminist
wave. She finished with “If not now – when? if not me – who?”. These words
moved her and made her start an awareness campaign on unconscious bias in Norway
that created a huge impact.
However, even if the corporate world wished
to ameliorate, there was lack of evidence-based measures. She adds, “we saw the
increasing impact of employees as stakeholders to drive and catalyze change. So
eventually I quit my job in the hospital to found Equality Check with my
co-founder.”
Handling setbacks with bravery
Being the initiators in an
emerging market helped her distinguish her firm and become one of the major
global trends. Since they were the first in the market gave them a big
opportunity as well as exponential scaling potential however, it even came with
a huge responsibility. It is because they were the ones to mature the market.
She shares, “It has also been extremely
helpful having a close relationship with our clients and potential clients to
develop the product in the right direction to ensure a good product-market fit.
As our team has improved with great and super talented team members, we have
collectively increased the in-house competence massively. “
Comprehensive Services and Vision of
Equality Check
Equality Check is a unique platform that
allows the employees to rate equality and inclusion at their respective
workplace. The best part was that all the reviews were anonymous and that too
with full diversity spectrum. Also, whenever five people had reviewed a
company, the workplace went live for everyone to check the ratings.
She is thrilled to share a completely new
solution that works after a unique data set from both employees and companies
is added into it. She says, “The data from employees allows us to cover the
broader diversity spectrum, which is data employers cannot ask their employees
due to GDPR. By adding machine learning we can diagnose the greatest areas for
improvement and suggest targeted, evidence-based solutions to improve. The
combination of data, technology and domain expertise is necessary to create
real and lasting change.”
Everything is powered by machine learning
after data collection. From getting insight, trajectory, to evidence-based
solutions, they helped all companies that wished to improve. She adds, “Our
overall vision is to create a workplace with equal opportunities for all
employees, regardless of their background. And we will do that through data,
technology and an evidence-based approach.”
The team is even planning to spend the next
year in making improvements in their products and team, and scaling globally.
Marie’s Contribution in restructuring
equality at workplaces
Marie had always kept her focus on
diversity and inclusion. However, she feels there is still more talk than
action. 2020 was a difficult year and everyone demanded results especially
their most crucial stakeholders that are the employees.
She shares her concern about millennials,
saying, “In next 5 years, millennials will make up more than 75% of the
workforce. Millennials care more about equal opportunity, purpose, work/life
balance and diversity, and they are more likely to quit if their expectations
are not met.” At such time, Equality Check proffers an excellent opportunity to
anonymously give feedback and insight to their employees. In addition to this,
she and her team also provide companies with a data-driven approach to identify
problem areas and suggest evidence-based solutions so that they can improvise
effectively.
She states, “According to McKinsey, only
24% of companies who implement D&I measures see results. We think the major
reasons for the poor results are lack of data and correct diagnosing. From
medicine, we know that if you make the wrong diagnosis the treatment will not
work. And furthermore, a lack of evidence-based approach when it comes to
solutions. Up until now, the approach to D&I has been very much
myth-based.”
She shares that her team has initiated a
large research project so as to validate different solutions. It will help them
in augmenting the evidence level in the suggestions that they offer the
companies. Besides that, it will also aid in ensuring a higher success rate in
succeeding with D&I.
Life before and after being the CEO
Marie shares, “I have never had a strong
focus on being an entrepreneur, but more on solving problems that need
solving.” She had always loved performing on stage and even used to dance at
the Norwegian Royal Ballet School. Later, she studied in a high school in Oslo,
Norway, where many high schools had a school theatre, however her school
didn’t, so, she herself founded a school theater which is still intact.
In college, she attained her PhD in Surgery
and became a surgeon by profession. Surgery had stayed as her main passion for
the past 10 years rather she had never thought in her wildest dream to leave it
and go for something else.
But she didn’t know about her hidden
passion about human rights and diversity since childhood. She says, “I come
from four generations of women’s rights champions. I have been involved in
diversity work on an international level on the side of my surgical career for
many years.” All this changed her life and made her choose the entrepreneurial
route for good.
Being a CEO, she has to handle everything be it, domain expertise, strategy, marketing, research, fundraising, finance etc. She adds, “We have a super strong team with different domain expertise, all sharing the passion for equal opportunities and diversity. We have a strong focus on culture, flexibility and autonomy for all team members.” In the previous year, the situation became a little difficult however, she always kept the team motivated with different digital quizzes as well as outdoor activities.
She has been a workaholic throughout her
entrepreneurial journey. Since her background leaves her with very little
control over time, she has been working flexibly that is making work-life
balance much easier.