Are we getting it wrong with DEI? And how can we take Diversity, Equity and Inclusion beyond the blame game?
In Episode 82 of Women Disrupting Tech, systemic change guru Karim El Oteify joins me to explore why a systemic approach to implementing DEI could lead to better, more sustainable results.
Key Takeaways from the episode
DEI isn’t a quick fix. It’s a complex, systemic challenge. In this episode, Karim El Oteify shares why surface-level strategies often fail and how we can re-imagine DEI for lasting change.
Together, we unpack:
🔎 The Branding Problem: How to move from siloed diversity efforts to collective action to make a difference.
🤝 Privilege as a tool for progress: How allies can make a real impact and drive inclusive change.
🌍 Human-Centered Solutions: How Karim’s company, The Wheels of Impact, uses actionable strategies to create measurable, sustainable outcomes.
Curious to learn how we can get DEI right? Hit the play button below.
A Systemic Approach to Implementing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Karim El Oteify | Ep. 82 – Women Disrupting Tech
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- Key Takeaways from the episode
- Want to help build a more inclusive tech industry? Change starts here!
- What’s magical about the episode 🪄
- The Two Zero-Cost Ways to Support Women Disrupting Tech
- My Reflections on This Episode
- About Karim El Oteify
- About The Wheels of Impact
- Let me know what you think!
- What’s coming up?
- More episodes like this?
What’s magical about the episode 🪄
Episode 82 of Women Disrupting Tech is a masterclass in tackling DEI with depth and nuance. Karim El Oteify goes beyond the buzzwords to challenge our assumptions about fairness, privilege, and systemic change.
Here’s what truly stands out:
Fairness Isn’t Real: Karim’s insight that fairness is a construct—one shaped by the systems we’ve inherited—resonates deeply. He explains how biases are embedded in the very fabric of organizational structures, making fairness an illusion rather than a guarantee. This was a lightbulb moment for me: we can’t fix what we don’t first acknowledge as broken.
Complexity Is a Strength: I’ve often been told that I overcomplicate things. Listening to Karim, I felt validated. His approach embraces complexity, showing how we can solve systemic problems by addressing their interconnected layers rather than oversimplifying them. It was inspiring to hear him argue that true progress demands embracing complexity.
Privilege as a Catalyst: One of the most powerful takeaways was Karim’s view on privilege. Rather than seeing it solely as an obstacle, he frames it as a tool for progress. He challenges allies—especially white cis-gender men—to use their privilege intentionally to foster inclusion and disrupt harmful systems.
Karim’s storytelling is thought-provoking and actionable. This episode reminded me that DEI isn’t about quick fixes or finding someone to blame. It’s about creating systems that work for everyone.
And that starts with rethinking how we define success, fairness, and inclusion.
Curious to dive deeper into these transformative ideas? Click the button below to tune in on Spotify!
The Two Zero-Cost Ways to Support Women Disrupting Tech
When you’re ready to support my guests in making DEI obsolete by the end of 2032, help out by doing these two things:
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My Reflections on This Episode
Have you ever had the feeling of listening to a lecture without being lectured? Well, that’s the feeling I had while talking to Karim.
One of the things we talk about is the statement that ‘privilege is leverage.’ Karim highlights that the system we live in was built over time by white men with their needs and wants in mind. He emphasizes that this is not to attribute blame but rather to encourage them to contribute to systemic change.
So, how can they use their privilege? By building awareness, expanding their understanding of others’ experiences, and stepping outside their perspective. It’s about bravery and openness.
Are you ready to move beyond the blame game and start working on a systemic approach to DEI? Tune in to the episode on Apple Podcasts, or click the image with the quote to watch the episode on YouTube.
“This system, in many ways, is built to serve you, to support your endeavors,”
Karim El Oteify, Founder of The Wheels of Impact on the privilege of white men.
About Karim El Oteify
Karim El Oteify is an entrepreneur, speaker, consultant and the founder of The Wheels of Impact. He is on a mission to drive sustainable change by creating equitable and engaging workplaces where every voice is valued, and every talent is leveraged. To follow this inspiring personality, connect with Karim on LinkedIn.
And you can find his interview with our mutual friend Michiel Reith on Journeys of Empowerment.
About The Wheels of Impact
With The Wheels of Impact, Karim is working at the intersection of DEI, Communications and Change. The goal is to inspire, empower and transform organizations like KLM, Microsoft and Trivium Packaging by helping them to align their business objectives with DEI principles. You can learn more about The Wheels of Impact on their website and by following them on LinkedIn.
Let me know what you think!
Are we oversimplifying DEI and reducing it to buzzwords? And how do you feel white cis men should use their privilege? Share your views, questions and observations in the comments.
If you would like to suggest a guest that I absolutely must have on the podcast, please let me know via email or send a DM on LinkedIn.
What’s coming up?
I’m taking a short break, but we’ll be back in the new year with two incredible episodes:
- Diana Oganesian shares how Sestive uses AI to transform therapy and mental health outcomes.
- Carla Canino explains how we can make Artificial Intelligence a force for good.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on Women Disrupting Tech in 2025!
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and Disruptive 2025! Until we meet again in the next episode, keep being awesome.
More episodes like this?
It’s always difficult to compare, but if I could recommend three episodes related to taking a more integral approach to DEI, it would be these:
– In episode 78, Katty Hsu highlights the importance of data when striving for gender equality in entrepreneurship.
– In episode 54, Kimberly Ofori explains how we can harness the power of financial inclusion to break biases in tech and beyond.
– In episode 7, Madhu Mathoera argues that real inclusion requires us to leave our comfort zone.
Women Disrupting Tech | The Podcast 
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