Generation Valuable ambassador Laura Conti shares insights as an alumni of our pilot programme. As a mother of a child with Down syndrome, Laura’s experiences offer valuable insights into the intersection of caregiving, disability inclusion, and how this cultivates inclusive leadership behaviours.
I’m Laura Conti and I work for the DACH and UKI team (Germany, UK, Austria, Ireland, and Switzerland) at Quadient. I joined the company three years ago as a Marketing Campaign Manager, with a focus on digital demand generation
I’m a mother of two wonderful children: Vera (7), and Damiano (5). Damiano was born with an extra chromosome, so he has Down syndrome. Caring for Damiano has taught me invaluable lessons about patience, understanding, and the importance of cultivating inclusive practices in the workplace, and beyond. It’s opened my eyes to the daily joys and challenges that come with raising a child with special needs, and it’s fuelled my passion for disability advocacy in both my personal and professional life.
The Generation Valuable Journey
My lived experiences became the catalyst for my involvement in disability inclusion initiatives at Quadient. I joined the company’s Empowered Community (Employee Resource Group), DiverseABILITY and from there, was invited to take part in Valuable 500’s Generation Valuable programme.
I embraced this opportunity, driven by a desire to deepen my understanding of what it means to be truly inclusive and amplify my advocacy for disability inclusion. My goal is to help create working environments where everyone can thrive. And hope when my son reaches a working age, it will be easier for him – every step towards this vision is worthwhile!
The Generation Valuable programme opened new doors for me. It gave me the chance to interact with Brandon Batt, our Chief of People and Transformation Officer (CPTO) at Quadient. I admire his leadership style, which is approachable, honest, and straightforward. Considering he’s leads a company of 5000+ employees, his inclusive leadership is valuable and much needed to drive long-lasting change.
The programme also increased my understanding of different backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences and how we can better celebrate these within the organization. I now see diversity as appreciating the full spectrum of unique individual needs rather than ‘one-size-fits-all’. The practical aspects of the programme equipped me with tangible ways to foster inclusion across all levels of the company, not just in leadership.
Inclusive Leadership in Practice
Armed with new insights, I became an active promoter in the Empowered Community. I helped create an agenda and establish monthly meetings covering various topics, including mental health, Down syndrome, and hearing impairments. These global gatherings, even if just half an hour long, have proven invaluable. When we hear from others , it sparks genuine engagement and allows us to step-in to experiences different to our own.
My journey as a both a caregiver and an advocate has taught me valuable lessons about time and flexibility. Parenting a child with Down syndrome means time flows differently – it’s not about rushing, but about allowing space for understanding. This has transformed how I value time, challenging societal pressures to constantly perform and achieve. The programme also taught me how important it is to bring my unique perspectives to work.
At Quadient, there’s a genuine appreciation for time and flexibility and this is evident in my team. We appreciate ‘flexibility’ looks and feels different for each person and it has totally transformed how we work together. By increasing psychological safety within our team, we continue to create a greater sense of belonging and inclusion for all.
Looking Ahead
My journey underscores how personal experiences can drive both professional growth and meaningful change. I firmly believe that our individual actions, shaped by our experiences as caregivers and advocates, are the building blocks of a more inclusive society. Each step we take, no matter how small, moves us closer to this vision.
I’m confident that my experience with Generation Valuable, combined with my personal journey as a caregiver, will shape my future career path. I’m already working with other teams and meeting new people at Quadient, through my involvement with the Empowered Community. These positive experiences have ignited a passion for inclusive leadership that I’m eager to develop further.
To future Generation Valuable participants, I offer this advice: immerse yourself fully in all the programme has to offer. The insights you gain and the strategies you learn have the power to fundamentally shift your perspective on what it means to be an inclusive leader. This transformation not only benefits you professionally but also for those around you, whether that be in your personal or professional life.
Learn more about Generation Valuable.
