Alda is making waves in the DEI space once again! We are thrilled to announce that Alda has been shortlisted for Femtech World’s Gender Inclusive Employer Award, sponsored by Wellbeing of Women. This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to fostering truly inclusive workplaces where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are more than just policies—they are embedded into company culture.

With four remarkable companies making it to the final round, we are honoured to be recognised alongside such inspiring organisations that are driving change in the workplace. 

Alda: A DEI Platform That Actually Works

At the heart of Alda’s success is a vision pioneered by Thorey Proppe, a long-time advocate for gender equality and former board member of the National Committee for UN Women Iceland. Together with our co-founder Sigyn Jónsdóttir, she created Alda as a data-driven DEI software platform designed to foster inclusive company cultures through measurable action plans and gamified micro-learning content.

Thorey’s journey into DEI was fueled by her experiences in politics and consulting, where she recognised a critical gap between policy and practice. While many companies adopt inclusive policies, the real challenge is ensuring these policies translate into genuine cultural transformation.

In an interview with Femtech, Thorey explains "Good DEI doesn’t just mean having policies in place. It’s about inviting everybody into a conversation where they can openly discuss different issues without feeling uncomfortable."

The Role of Empathy in DEI

One of Alda’s core principles is empathy-driven change. We believe that true inclusivity starts when leaders acknowledge their biases and take active steps toward creating fairer workplaces.

"If we all had 100% empathy, we wouldn’t need a platform like Alda. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. That’s why we strive to help everybody thrive at work," Thorey explains.

A key factor often overlooked in DEI conversations is the link between inclusivity and mental health. Thorey highlights that many employees, especially those from marginalised groups, struggle with workplace authenticity—often feeling pressured to mask their identities.

Thorey tells Femtech, "Pretending to be someone else in the workplace isn’t just exhausting—it can have a real impact on mental health. Women, particularly those in leadership roles, face even greater obstacles. These challenges worsen around menopause, where lack of support often leads women to leave their jobs or reduce their hours. And for individuals with intersecting marginalised identities, the consequences can be even more severe."

Data-Driven DEI: The Future of Inclusive Workplaces

For organisations looking to improve their DEI efforts, we offer one key piece of advice: start with data.

"Data is queen. Many people who don’t belong to marginalised groups don’t believe there’s a problem. Collecting data helps them recognise the issues and see them for what they are. Plus, how are you going to set goals if you don’t know where you’re at?" Thorey explains. 

Looking Ahead

Being shortlisted for Femtech World’s Gender Inclusive Employer Award is a testament to Alda’s mission to drive real, measurable impact in workplace inclusion. This recognition further validates our evidence-based, empathy-led approach to DEI, and we are excited for what’s ahead.

Congratulations to all the finalists! We look forward to continuing the conversation on how we can create workplaces where everyone thrives.