Siemens Healthineers Devan Diabate advocates for equality

Not only is Devan Diabate a Principal Application Technical Trainer for Siemens Healthineers Laboratory Diagnostics and teaching application specialists and engineers how to use the laboratory diagnostics equipment, Devan is also National Chair of the Siemens Employees of African Descent (SEAD). She's a passionate advocate for racial equity.

Siemens Healthineers fosters an inclusive and dynamic work environment for everyone to believe in their self and one another, allowing all to grow to their full potential.

Devan chooses to challenge

Devan is responsible for developing and delivering application trainings for Application Specialists, and what she enjoys most is working with a very dynamic global team.

“I teach our Application Specialists and Engineers how to use our laboratory diagnostics equipment and instruct them on best demonstrated practices, troubleshooting and installation,” Devan explains.

Having supported the International Women's Day 2021 #ChooseToChallenge theme, Devan recognizes the need to call out gender bias and inequality. Devan's challenge is to help others to grow.

Committed to racial equality

In addition to her job, she passionately advocates for racial equity as National Chair of the Siemens Employees of African Descent (SEAD) group. Her mission is to bring black employees and employees of color together and help them to grow in their careers. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her experience with others.

Women empower women

Devan is grateful that in her life she has always been surrounded by inspiring women. One of them was her foster mom, who Devan says helped her to become a strong black woman. Devan has also been influenced by supportive female mentors.

“I’m just so fortunate to be around these women. I think they’ve made me a better employee,” she explains.

However, she’s also aware that not everyone knows how to grow or what’s needed to boost their career. “So I wanted to be able to do that, and especially to help minority groups,” says Devan.

Advice she likes to give everyone along the way is, “Don’t hide your competence. Believe in yourself, ask for what you truly want, and go for it!”

Trust is key to an equitable organization

The biggest challenge Devan sees in achieving equity is trust.

“I think it’s going to take trust on both sides. For the minority population to believe that they’re genuinely supported, and that the tools they’re given to grow aren’t charity but rather a genuine desire to promote and strengthen the company from within,” explains Devan.

She believes that it matters for those who aren’t in a minority to know that there’s plenty of room for everyone and that no one loses when we create an equitable organization.

“In fact, everyone grows, everyone wins,” emphasizes Devan.