Our Philosophy

At the heart of Nicole Hagans-Samateh’s work is a fundamental belief: everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) aren’t just buzzwords—they’re guiding principles that shape how she leads, how her ventures operate, and how communities are served. Whether it’s business, mentorship, or advocacy, DEI principles are woven into every initiative.

What We Do

Here are the specific DEI initiatives Nicole supports and leads, designed to drive real change:

Initiative Goals / What It Looks Like in Practice
Inclusive Sourcing & Partnerships Working with suppliers and vendors from underrepresented communities; engaging local farmers; ensuring that procurement practices are fair and inclusive.
Accessible Business Practices Ensuring physical and procedural accessibility in bakery locations (e.g. access for persons with disabilities), inclusive packaging and product options, accommodating various dietary or cultural preferences.
Fair Employment & Hiring Practices Using inclusive job descriptions; recruiting from diverse talent pools; reducing biases in hiring and promotions; ensuring pay equity and equal opportunity.
Support for Special Needs & Marginalized Groups Advocating for people with special needs; offering special programs or opportunities tailored for those who are often left behind.
Education & Awareness Conducting DEI training (bias, sensitivity, cultural competence); creating safe spaces for dialogue; hosting workshops or seminars to raise awareness within teams and communities.
Mentorship & Empowerment Prioritizing mentorship for women, youth, and underrepresented people; sponsoring leadership development; encouraging mentees to become mentors themselves.
Community Engagement & Feedback Listening to community voices; involving marginalized groups in planning; collecting feedback to shape more inclusive practices.

Best Practices & How We Do It Well

To ensure these initiatives are effective and sustainable, Nicole’s approach includes:

Leadership Commitment: DEI is championed at the top. Leadership is visible, accountable, and involved.

Measurable Goals and Accountability: Clear metrics; regular evaluation of progress; transparent reporting.

Policies & Structures that Support Inclusion: Committing resources, forming DEI councils or task forces, integrating DEI into policies (e.g. hiring, performance, promotion).

Ongoing Learning: DEI is not a one-time event. Interactive trainings, mentorship, continuous review of organizational culture.

Psychological Safety: Creating environments where people feel safe to express themselves, share concerns, and contribute ideas without fear of repercussions.

Flexibility & Adaptation: Recognizing that different people have different needs—adjusting practices, hours, supports accordingly.