Here at Gartner, we define equity as the “fair treatment and equality of access to opportunity, information and resources, built through identification and elimination of unfair biases, stereotypes or barriers that may inadvertently exclude underrepresented employees.” It’s a concept that’s rapidly gaining momentum with organizations as they look to advance representation and improve business outcomes.
In the second episode of a three-part series around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), guest host Rob O’Donohue, Senior Director Analyst in Gartner's CIO Research Group, sits down with Emily Strother, a Senior Researcher here at Gartner, where she works with the HR practice on employee experience, the employee value proposition and DEI. Tune in to their discussion about the key differences between equity and equality, the benefits of working in an equitable organization, and how hybrid work is changing the conversation.
Explore: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Center
Download: How to Measure Your DEI Efforts
Opening Thoughts
What Is Equity and How Did it Become Part of the Conversation?
The Difference Between Equity and Equality
How To Measure Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Benefits of Working in an Equitable Organization
Where Equity Comes to the Forefront
Equity in the Talent Lifecycle
Hybrid Work Through an Equity Lens
How to Develop Future-Ready Leaders
The Gartner Framework for a More Fair Employee Experience
The Power of Prompting Pay Conversations
Where the Equity Conversation Is Headed
Rob O'Donohue | VP Analyst, KI Leader
Rob O'Donohue is a Vice President Analyst in Gartner’s CIO and Executive Leadership Research Team focusing on C-Suite Dynamics, Executive Leadership Development, How to use AI to Augment Leadership, Developing Personal and Team Brand, and Building High Performance Leadership Teams and Culture. Here, he advises CIOs and Executives across the C-Suite on skills and competencies needed to thrive as an executive leader, how to create and sustain a culture of high performance in the leadership team and across the organization. Rob also focuses research and advice on how to improve employee engagement, driver behavior change, and improve motivation at work. Rob creates evidence-based actionable research to empower Executive Leaders lead more effectively. Rob also runs workshops and client briefings covering high performance teams and culture, behavior change, and coaching effectiveness. Rob has also written extensively on Neurodiversity at Work. Rob holds is a certified Executive Coach with the ICF (ACC) and uses his experience to help executives think differently and challenge their own assumptions about work. Rob co-presented with opening keynote at the IT Symposium Barcelona in November 2025.
Emily Strother | Director, Team Manager
Emily Strother is a Director, Team Manager with Gartner's Human Resources Practice. In this role, she manages associates who support HR executives in the areas of HR technology, talent analytics, organizational design and change management, and HR function strategy and management.
Hosted by: Karen Lockhart
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