b'PROFESSIONAL PROFILEB Adair is a Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional and founded his organization, Just B Diversity and Inclusion Consulting, located, according to Adair, in the middle of nowhere, an hour east of Red Deer, Alberta. The entire reason for getting started was that nobody else was doing it, and there were no other options available to people in this kind of rural area.Adair is a retired paramedic and a transgender person who has had horrific health-care experiences. Due to these experiences, he got involved with patient experience and advisory groups across Alberta. I just realized there was so much more inequity that I didnt know about, and [I] had no idea what was going on, says Adair. Im a giant nerd. I started learning all I could and then [started] talking about it. A few folks wanted to hear, but most didnt. However, Adair didnt let this initial apathy set him back. This kind of lack of information is relatable to folks in places like rural Alberta, he says. I come from a place where I hadnt heard the word transgender until I was almost 30. [Having] that piece of identity comeinto existence puts me in a place tohelp others.The B-Hivea comfy place in Bs backyardA big part of helping others, according perfect for late-night work sessions. to Adair, is creating a comfortable space Creatingto have uncomfortable conversations, which is my primary philosophy. Within these spaces, Adair says, People are welcome to ask questions, and its okay if you dont know the right words or how to Brave Spaces say it. I create spaces to find better words and perhaps more thoughtful ways to ask questionsor, in some cases, maybe recommend not asking those questions at all.Just B Diversity and Inclusion got its B Adair speaks on improving start with Adairs personal connection to the DEI sector. It unofficially started DEI in a rural community when I was 30 and struggling with PTSD from working as a first responder, By Bryan C.K. Hansen explains Adair. Part of working through that trauma was writing and publishing D iversity, equity and inclusionEquity ensures that programs andanonymously on a website. I was interacting with one person in particular (DEI) has quickly become anprocesses are fair and impartial andfrom New York City, and they eventually everyday part of mainstreamprovide equitable outcomes for everyasked me if I was possibly transgender. corporate dialogue within the last fewindividual, while inclusion is the practiceThis conversation led Adair to have years. Diversity can be explained asof ensuring that every individual feels aseveral thoughts: Who am I? Can I differences within a given work setting.sense of belonging in their workplace. transition? Nobody around me has even 24| QBiz CANADA | Issue 22022'