Start the Conversation: Proactively Removing Barriers for Gender Transition in the Workplace

About This Session

Gender transition in the workplace is intimidating for both the individual and the company. For many organizations, this is unfamiliar and uncomfortable terrain. For transitioning individuals, it can seem like an impossible mountain to climb with little guarantee of a positive outcome.

Using two decades of corporate and leadership expertise, a lived gender transition experience in the corporate setting, a grounding in psychology, and insights from working on equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives with various organizations, Kiersten is passionate to provide human resource professionals with the tactical skills necessary to create safety and a pathway for gender diversity in your organizations.

More specifically, this session will discuss the unique challenges and systemic barriers facing transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming employees and how human resources professionals can play a critical role in proactively removing these obstacles. In both personal and professional capacities, Kiersten has seen firsthand how a grounded and supported journey can promote positive life change for transitioning individuals while also providing an opportunity for an organization to boost morale and authentic solidarity in the work environment dramatically.

Our Presenter(s)

In 2017, after fifteen years as a geologist and senior leadership professional in the Energy Industry, Kiersten Mohr embarked on the most significant challenge of her life: gender transition. Gender transition was life-changing in many ways. Kiersten’s publicly authentic and vulnerable approach to her transition allowed her to see how authenticity in the workplace could build connections and synergy with her colleagues. Additionally, as Kiersten moved from a dominant to a non-dominant group while maintaining a corporate leadership role, she discovered many insights about improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in professional spaces.

As she continued her corporate career, Kiersten found new motivation to engage in a more meaningful life through volunteering in the community and educating herself with a Bachelor of Psychology. Eventually, these experiences ignited a personal passion which led Kiersten to step out of her energy industry role, continue with a master’s degree in Psychology, and launch Terra Firma Transition Consulting. Kiersten is now passionate about using the unique intersection of her education, professional, and personal experience to empower organizations to create authentic, equitable, accessible, and inclusive workplaces where everyone can succeed.

In her community, Kiersten is proudly the President of the Airdrie Pride Society and a board member with Distress Centre Calgary. Most recently, Kiersten was honoured to be recognized by her community as Airdrie’s 2020 Amazing Women in Advocacy and nominated by the Mayor of Airdrie for a 2020 Star of Alberta Award.

NOTE: Kiersten previously presented to the Strategic Capability Network in May 2021 (Members can watch the session recording HERE). This presentation will include more tactical ways to create space for gender diversity and gender transition.