Extending connections: partnering with communities outside of Zalando multiplies D&I progress

We want to strengthen diversity and inclusion not just within our company but also outside of Zalando. By collaborating with external partners, we exercise our influence and capacity to drive societal change. We choose NGOs and experts to support us in our D&I commitments and help us better understand - and drive change for - underrepresented communities. Zalando’s goal is to be a central collaboration point in fashion, bringing together brands, retailers, NGOs, academia, community thought leaders, and members of the media to systematically empower and amplify underrepresented voices in the industry by 2025.

In 2023, Zalando proudly partnered with Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Ahmad Aloqla, Team Lead Security & Loss prevention at Zalando, one of 100 Zalando employees to volunteer at the games, tells us about his experience and Zalando’s involvement.
 
Hi Ahmad, what’s your role at Zalando?

As the Zalando Security & Loss Prevention Team Lead, my primary responsibility is to oversee the implementing of strategies to prevent, detect, and promptly react to security threats. This involves fostering a culture of security awareness among our team members, building and maintaining solid relationships with key stakeholders, adhering to globally agreed standards, and establishing secure logistics networks.

In addition to these core activities, our team also devotes its efforts to enhancing emergency response capabilities, proactively preventing crimes, and providing support during investigations. By constantly improving our processes and systems, our ultimate objective is to minimize losses and ensure uninterrupted operations for our valued customers.

You volunteered at the Special Olympics World Games 2023. What made you decide to get involved?

I volunteered for the Special Olympics World Games because I strongly believe in inclusivity and want to have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities. I’ve been lucky to have made strong friendships with disabled people over the years, which further strengthened my commitment to volunteering and being an ally.

What was it like to volunteer at the Special Olympics World Games?

Volunteering at the Special Olympics World Games was a very rewarding experience. It meant supporting athletes during the event and being part of a team that promotes inclusivity and empowers people with disabilities to showcase their abilities and talents. Working with the athletes taught me to celebrate and appreciate each person's unique strengths and talents. It enabled me to recognise the importance of nurturing an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

What did Zalando’s involvement in the games look like?

As the Games took place in Zalando’s hometown of Berlin, it created several pathways to support athletes' empowerment. In the run-up to the event, Zalando shared stories of three Special Olympics German athletes and raised awareness about the event on social media throughout the week.

Another project that supported the event was a collaboration with Lette Verein, a vocational school for fashion design, to teach young designers about the nuances of designing for people with disabilities. Apprentices were tasked with creating outfits in collaboration with athletes with intellectual disabilities, along with guidance from Zalando designers and buyers on how to produce commercial garments. Athletes from the German Special Olympics team acted as both models and consultants. And of course I helped as one of 83 Zalando volunteers. We were able to do quite a few jobs. For example, some acted as support on the buses that drove athletes to their competitions, others were busy braiding the hair of the dressage horses.

What can we gain from engaging with disabled communities outside of Zalando?

For me, engaging with disabled communities outside of work allows me to gain valuable insights and first-hand experiences from their lives. It enables us to better understand their challenges and the support they might need. By bringing these learnings back to Zalando, we can develop more inclusive policies, practices, and a culture that embraces diversity.

After volunteering at the Special Olympics, Zalando employees founded the Disability Inclusion Allyship Network. Can you talk a little more about its purpose and impact?

The Disability Inclusion Allyship Network (DIAN) started in June as a direct result of our collective experiences volunteering at the Special Olympics World Games. Many of us volunteers wanted to find a way to stay in contact, learn more about the disabled experience, and act as allies for our disabled colleagues through fostering a more inclusive working environment.

The plan for the Disability Inclusion Allyship Network over the coming year is to strengthen the network's presence and expand its activities. This could include organizing educational workshops, raising awareness about disability inclusion, facilitating dialogues, and partnering with external organizations to drive meaningful change.

What are your hopes and dreams for D&I at Zalando and for the wider world?

My hopes and dreams for D&I at Zalando and the world are to create a truly inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and has equal opportunities for growth and success. I envision a world where diversity is celebrated, where disabilities are not perceived as limitations, and where empathy and understanding lead to an inclusive society for all.