Maybe my CTO could explain the complicated stuff later. His eyes dart to his colleagues for support. I’m also curious about the discrepancy in your Q2 financial statements, Olivia continues.
Your reported R&D expenditure dropped 22% while claiming expanded research initiatives. How do those figures reconcile? Harrison’s expression hardens. He presses a button to advance the slides rapidly, skipping past financial details.
I think these complex financial matters might be a bit beyond the scope of our discussion today. Perhaps we should focus on more appropriate topics like how Terra Nova approaches diversity initiatives. His emphasis on appropriate hangs in the air.
Inside Harrison’s mind, alarms are sounding. This woman clearly knows her stuff, far more than anticipated. Rather than adjust his approach, he doubles down on condescension, his fragile authority threatened.
Let’s take a quick break, Harrison announces abruptly. Devin, ask Melissa to bring in some coffee. He turns to Olivia with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
How do you take yours? Lots of cream and sugar, I bet. The racist implication sits heavily in the room. The executives exchange glances, some uncomfortable, others silently amused.
Olivia registers every micro expression, every unspoken exchange. She closes her portfolio with deliberate slowness, the soft leather binding making a gentle sound in the sudden silence. Her eyes meet Harrison’s directly, unflinching.
Before we continue, I’d like to see your diversity and inclusion statistics for executive positions. Harrison’s jaw tightens as he realizes this woman won’t be as easily dismissed as he had planned. The meeting reconvenes in a larger conference room.
Harrison has summoned additional reinforcements, including Marcus Phillips, Terra Nova’s diversity officer and tellingly the only other person of color in the building above entry level. Marcus will walk us through our diversity initiatives, Harrison announces, his tone suggesting he’s being exceptionally accommodating. Marcus stands clearly rehearsed.
Terra Nova is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. Our hiring of underrepresented minorities has increased 8% year over year. He clicks through slides showing carefully curated photographs of smiling employees from various backgrounds.
What’s the retention rate for those hires? Olivia asks. Marcus falters, I don’t have those specific figures. And promotion pathways? How many people of color have moved into senior leadership in the past five years? We’ve implemented mentorship programs that we believe will bear fruit in the, Harrison interrupts.
We’re making progress. Rome wasn’t built in a day. His dismissive wave cuts off further discussion as the conference room door opens, five more executives enter, all white men in their 50s.
Harrison brightens immediately, standing to exchange firm handshakes and backslaps. Inside jokes flow freely about their recent golf outing. Olivia sits unacknowledged for three full minutes.
When Harrison finally remembers her presence, his introduction is telling. Gentlemen, this is Olivia. She’s here today to discuss our diversity initiatives.
Not Ms. Johnson, not a potential investor, just Olivia, reduced to a first name and an assumed agenda. The executives offer perfunctory nods. Two don’t make eye contact at all.
One executive, James Stewart, according to his nameplate, leans toward his colleague and whispers with deliberate audibility, diversity quota visit. Play along and she’ll be gone by lunch. Olivia notes this without visible reaction, though her pen makes a small mark in her notebook.
Perhaps you’d like to share your story with the group, Harrison suggests to Olivia, his tone patronizing. I’m sure everyone would be interested in hearing about your journey. The implication is clear.
Her value in this room is as a token, not as a business equal. When Olivia begins discussing market trends instead, Harrison interrupts. That’s not really what everyone is interested in, he says with a forced laugh.
We have plenty of financial analysts. What we’d like to hear is your perspective as a. He leaves the sentence hanging, but his meaning couldn’t be clearer. A white man in a tailored suit enters the room.
Harrison immediately stands, extending his hand with genuine respect. Alan, glad you could join us. After greeting Alan warmly, Harrison turns back toward Olivia.
