Meet our members: Andrea Westbrook, size-inclusion specialist

The Diversity Practitioners Association is packed with gifted practitioners, influencing across a range of sectors and specialisations. In this “meet our members” we talk with Andrea Westbrook, size-inclusion specialist, who we’re excited to host on May 30 to share her workshop “body size: the last frontier of diversity, equity and inclusion”. Register here.

Andrea Westbrook, DPA member and size-inclusion specialist

What’s your current role?   

Size-Inclusion Specialist at Andrea Westbrook Coaching

What led you to pursue a career in DEI? 

I have worked in Human Resources for over twenty years and have had the privilege to implement and be part of some fantastic DEI initiatives, in the early days of DEI in Australia.

To be honest when I left my HR career it didn’t even occur to me that I would be motivated to create a career for myself in DEI specifically – of course it was still important to me, but in my head I was starting my own business as a Life Coach.

However, it was during my Life Coaching training that I was introduced to the importance of not only creating a business that is inclusive, but how to support people who come from marginalised groups.

During this time an article was shared with me “One type of diversity we don’t talk about at work: Body size.” (CNN, 2019). In reading that article, I felt the author had put my experience as a plus-size woman into words for the first time in my life. Before that I believed that was my lot in life and I know many larger people feel that way too!

It motivated me to research this area more and speak to other plus-size people about their experiences in the workplace.

The more knowledge I gained, the more convinced I became that this is the work that I have to do!

Can you tell us about a project or work experience you’ve been most proud of? 

Currently, I am most proud of the creation of my podcast – Curvy Culture.

Curvy Culture was created to specifically create a conversation on how we can create spaces, workplaces and cultures where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their body size.

I love being able to share the experiences and stories of employers and business owners who are creating size-inclusive spaces.

How do you approach the sensitive and often difficult conversations that arise in DEI work, and what advice would you give to others in similar positions?

I love this question as was one of the first internal barriers I had to cross, especially when it comes to speaking about body size. The language around bodies, especially bigger bodies is emotive and has been used to hurt people in larger bodies. There is also a great deal of stigma associated with body size and it can feel scary to start conversations in this space.

My advice for others in similar positions is that it is ok to feel apprehensive about starting conversations on this topic, we are all a product of the conditioning that we have received.
The first step is to sit with your fear and feelings and explore why you might feeling this way and what you might need so that you feel comfortable to start the conversation. The second tip I would give (and Simon Sinek says it best) is to connect to your “Why” because when you do that it gives you the courage to move past your fear.

In terms of actually starting a conversation, start with people who have lived experience of the space you are trying to address.

I recommend opening with something along the lines of “I’m learning in this space, I know some of the language can be a bit tricky/emotive, my use of this words is coming from a neutral intent….please feel free to let me know if you would prefer me to address this topic in another way / or if there is language you would prefer I use….”

How do you see DEI evolving in the future and what steps do you think practitioners should take to advance it?

This is a tough question. On one hand I see DEI evolving to become more Intersectional. I don’t believe there is one approach this, it’s complex and is going to take the coming together of many different minds and people with lived experience to advance.

In saying this, the first step is to ensure that people from ALL groups, including body size, are in the DEI conversation.

On the other hand, I am watching with interest the anti-DEI bills in the US. I have believed for a long-time that businesses and organisations have been leading social change, not the government. It will be interesting to see how this movement impacts DEI initiatives and advances in the future.

What DEI topics are you especially keen to chat with other members about? 

My passion is Size-Inclusion and my life mission is to bring Body Size into the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion conversation. I am keen to chat about how we can create size-inclusive work cultures and spaces because I know weight stigma and fatphobia impacts everyone.

I am also really keen to chat about Intersectionality in the DEI space. I know it’s complex, but I’m curious as to how we can start taking an Intersectional approach to inclusion because many people identify with more than one marginalisation.

Can you share a resource or tool that you find particularly useful in your DEI work? 

My absolute favourite, number one resource in the Size-Inclusion space the book What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon.

It is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn about the lived experience of people who live in larger bodies.

What have you found most valuable about being a member of the DPA?

I love the connections that I have made with DPA, some are new connections and some have been rekindling of older connections – I feel uplifted and inspired when speaking with the incredible members who want to make a difference in this space. I have also found the knowledge sharing and the events DPA host incredibly informative and extremely valuable to my development in this space.

Register here to join as DPA hosts Andrea on May 30 to share her workshop, body size: the last frontier of diversity, equity and inclusion.