Q&A with B.C. Lottery Corp.’s Madhavee Inamdar

A: Integrating our DEI priorities into the very basis of who we are as an organization and applying it to every business decision in the interest of employees, players and communities is my role and mission. Fostering a psychologically safe workplace so that everyone can be their authentic self is one of the driving goals for me in my role at the BCLC. A conscious and visible allyship from all levels of the organization is required to foster diversity, inclusion and belonging. As everyone deals with multiple priorities in their distinct roles, we still need to ensure that fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace remains at the forefront.

Read: Connecting DEI initiatives to employees’ mental well-being

Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement?

A: Earlier this month, the BCLC released its multi-year accessibility plan, which is a long-term roadmap for the organization’s accessibility journey. We are committed to meeting the needs of our employees and customers with visible and non-visible disabilities by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility to ensure full and equal participation. This year, we’re also focused on reviewing our key policies through an equity lens to further advance cultural awareness, inclusivity and flexibility for our people.

Q: What programs do you consider the most successful or that you’re most proud of?

A: In 2024, the BCLC became the first public sector organization in Canada to launch an inclusive holiday program, which offers employees the flexibility to substitute statutory holidays for other days that have personal, cultural or religious significance to them. The BCLC also established and leads an All-Crowns Diversity and Inclusion Dialogue Network, comprised of all DEI practitioners across B.C., that has emerged as a powerful force to share best practices across organizations, with an over-arching goal to transform workplaces.

Read: BCLC allowing employees to swap statutory holidays for personal, cultural days of significance

Q: What key HR issues do you expect in the coming year?

A: As our workplaces are continuously evolving and becoming more diverse, hybrid, multi-generational and artificial intelligence-driven, we must continuously reimagine how we foster inclusion and belonging by redefining ‘wellness’ to ‘well-being of all.’ Reducing unconscious biases consciously to strengthen inclusive culture and inclusive leadership is certainly a high priority. We have been offering training and resources consistently to build and strengthen our corporate culture that reflects our core values of respect, integrity and community.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

A: I volunteer with a few multicultural organizations across communities. I’m currently serving on the B.C. Ministry’s Advisory Committee for creation of a South Asian Canadian museum. I spend a lot of time with my lovely dog Juno — a high-energy husky that keeps me on my toes. I’m very enthusiastic about going for long walks and hikes with him. I also love watching Bollywood films and cooking South Asian-style fusion food.

Read: Q&A with Securian Canada’s Sofia Theodorou

Q: What’s your favourite employee benefit and why?

A: My favourite benefit is the BCLC’s inclusive holidays, which enabled me to substitute the Easter Monday holiday for the National Indigenous Peoples Day in June. As well, our significant mental-health benefits, which extend coverage to providers such as psychologists and counsellors, are highly utilized and getting a lot of positive feedback from our employees. This is just one aspect of our effort to ensure holistic well-being is at the core of our total rewards and benefits package.

Lauren Bailey is the interim managing editor of Benefits Canada and the Canadian Investment Review.