Newton
A Journey toward Intersectional Inclusion and Real Change

In 2019, Newton, a corporate evolution consultancy with over two decades of experience, made a bold move that would reshape industries.

Already recognised for its leadership in corporate transformation through training, advisory services, and innovative communication strategies, the firm reached a significant milestone with the launch of the Global Inclusion Committee. This initiative stemmed from the conviction that large corporations and small to medium enterprises should prioritise cultural evolution, focusing on an analytical and ethical approach over traditional organisational frameworks.

To kick off this impactful endeavour, Newton published a call to action in several European newspapers, inviting companies and institutions to gather in Bologna on September 11—a date carefully chosen as a powerful reminder of the divisions and hatred everyone needs to rise above as a society.

The Global Inclusion Committee, which was then transformed into a Foundation in 2024, was the start of a collaborative effort to expand the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversation across a broader ecosystem. Rather than merely ticking boxes, Newton focused on creating an environment of shared learning and collective responsibility, inviting organisations from various sectors to engage meaningfully in this vital dialogue.

What followed exceeded all expectations. More than 1,000 attendees gathered in person, and an additional 2,000 joined via live stream. The turnout included over one hundred major companies, sixty non-profit organisations, and more than twenty universities committed to tackling DEI challenges from an ecosystem-wide perspective. It indicated that many are ready to roll their sleeves and work together toward meaningful change.

“We were overwhelmed by the response,” Andrea Notarnicola Cociani, DEI change leader at Newton and president of the Global Inclusion Scientific Committee, recalls. “Everyone came together to share practices, compare strategies and push for progress. It was clear that this was more than just an event; it was the beginning of a movement.”

Breaking Silos with an Intersectional Approach

Newton had officially set the stage for an annual event—a platform for businesses to share best practices, confront biases and push the DEI conversation forward. The goal? To embed DEI principles into the very DNA of the organisations it works with through a structured, intersectional approach that touches every aspect of employee and stakeholder experiences.

Newton firmly believes that DEI should not be siloed into categories like gender or ethnicity. Instead, the consultancy adopts an intersectional approach that recognises how biases related to gender, race, age, and sexual orientation intersect, influencing both employees and customers. This emphasis on intersectionality has been transformative, particularly in Italy, where large-scale DEI initiatives are only beginning to gain traction. As one of the most experienced consultancies in this field, Newton has played a pivotal role in driving European best practices.

Its DEI process is an eight-step journey that begins with a focus on listening. Through immersive methods like drama-based focus groups and DEI surveys, employees are encouraged to share their experiences, providing invaluable insights that help leadership teams pinpoint action areas tailored to their unique challenges. Tackling unconscious bias is next, with tools like the “bias meter,” where actors push employees to confront their biases head-on, turning the learning experience personal and emotional.

The journey then shifts to building inclusive leaders. Its tools, like web series such as Get There and Implicit, place managers in complex, real-world scenarios, nudging them to make inclusive decisions that impact their teams. From there, Newton focuses on fostering a safe work environment using its “Speak Up” culture program to address harassment and bullying while hosting vibrant inclusion weeks and supporting employee resource groups that enhance a sense of belonging.

Newton’s approach extends into the broader ecosystem, engaging suppliers, clients and non-profit organisations in DEI conversations. For B Corp certification aspirants, Newton aligns their DEI strategies with sustainability goals, ensuring inclusion efforts are not siloed within the organisation.

To wrap things up, the company collaborates closely with HR to revamp recruitment and performance management processes, ensuring inclusivity is reflected in every operation of the organisation. Dedicated teams also address the unique needs of various constituencies, focusing on disabilities, gender equality, and LGBTQA+ inclusion to foster a truly inclusive environment.

A Proven Blueprint for Lasting Change in Corporate DEI

Newton’s influence is far-reaching, creating significant ripples across various sectors, with one of its most remarkable success stories emerging from its collaboration with a leading European bank. The consultancy’s journey with this bank began in 2002, initially focusing on HR and training programs. However, as the partnership evolved, Newton guided them in developing a comprehensive DEI strategy that spanned from board engagement to designing inclusive leadership programs. Thanks to Newton’s expert guidance, the bank proudly earned the title of the top-ranked European bank for diversity and inclusion, as recognised by the Refinitiv Global Diversity and Inclusion Index.

This achievement exemplifies Newton’s belief that DEI is a change management process rather than a collection of quick fixes or surface-level policies. It necessitates a profound understanding of the “why” behind each initiative.

Newton’s work is a powerful reminder that the journey toward DEI is ongoing. From founding the Global Inclusion Foundation to sparking systemic change across sectors, its impact resonates across Europe and beyond. As Newton continues to mentor and drive change, the consultancy establishes a benchmark for what diversity and inclusivity genuinely mean in the corporate world.