Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Influencers
The DE&I Influencers list honors individuals who are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations and across the workforce solutions ecosystem at large.
Mark W. DeDeckere
Honoree profile
Mark W. DeDeckere has spent six of his seven years at Swoon working on diversity-related issues. His passion for the topic is palpable. Even in his previous work as a teacher, “my heart … was in making sure everyone felt safe, seen and heard,” he explains.
Among his proudest accomplishments at Swoon is the creation of an LGBTQ+ allyship certification program for internal employees. As chair of the employee resource group Pride at Swoon, he had the idea to “explore the qualities of an effective ally, what’s happening with legislation and the history we wanted to tell about our marginalized group.” Since the program’s establishment in 2022, Swoon has certified over 30 volunteers, all of whom received a badge that they can post on social media. For DeDeckere, visibility is key. “Seeing allyship shows job seekers that this is a safe space,” he notes. Thanks to his efforts, Swoon reports a 10% year-over-year increase of diversity in its talent pool.
We can’t be hiring folks the same way we were 10 years ago. Diversify through your interview process and make sure it is equitable.
For DE&I efforts to be successful, DeDeckere believes companies need to look closely at their internal processes. “It’s not just scorecards and awards,” he says. “It goes to the employee experience and retention — all of that needs to be embraced. Onboarding processes are one of the most unique challenges right now.”
DeDeckere has been able to combine his personal and professional lives in service of causes he is passionate about. For example, two years ago, he rode for Team Swoon in the AIDS Lifecycle, cycling 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise over $5,000 for the gay communities in those cities. Outside of work, DeDeckere volunteers his time for NYC startup groups for LGBTQ+ professionals. He has also received a DE&I recruiter certification from ADP.
DeDeckere believes successful DE&I efforts necessitate getting out of your comfort zone. “We can’t be hiring folks the same way we were 10 years ago.” His advice for companies? “Diversify through your interview process and make sure it is equitable.” After a hire, he urges companies to “find out how the employee is doing. How do they meet people within the organization to help them thrive? Inclusion and belonging is so important.”