Business case for fairness: strategy over sentiment with Aniela Unguresan
Discover why fairness is not just a value: it is a strategic advantage. In this episode of “I Know I Belong When,” host Christopher Bylone sits down with Aniela Unguresan, founder of the EDGE Certified Foundation and CEO of EDGE Strategy, to explore how data-driven inclusion transforms organizations and lives.
What does it truly mean to belong—and how can fairness become a business imperative? Aniela Unguresan shares her journey from international trade to pioneering the world’s leading workplace fairness certification. Together with Christopher Bylone, they unpack why fairness is more than a buzzword: it is a catalyst for innovation, growth, and resilient company culture.
Listeners will learn how organizations can move beyond sentiment to embed fairness into their DNA, leveraging data, courage, and purpose to drive real change. This episode is a must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about equity, inclusion, and authentic impact.
Watch the full episode :
Must-hear insights & key moments
The Heartbeat of Fairness: Aniela reveals her conviction that every individual has a unique ability to contribute to economic value and societal progress—if given respect and opportunity.
Belonging in Action: Stories of how shared values, open dialogue, and intentional invitations create true belonging at work.
Overcoming Bias: Practical lessons from Aniela’s experience as a female entrepreneur in tech, including navigating investor skepticism and the power of mentorship.
Tools for Inclusion: Actionable advice for leaders—how to invite quieter voices, ask “Who is missing from the table?”, and create psychological safety.
Sustaining Belonging: Why giving people a voice, providing feedback, and ensuring growth opportunities are essential for lasting inclusion.
Strategy Over Sentiment: How organizations can use data and feedback loops to move from good intentions to measurable progress.
Aniela’s words of wisdom:
“People are grateful for being given the tools they need to succeed. They want to do the right things—they just need the proper guidance and patience.”
“Consistency, performance, and resilience remain the key ingredients of lasting success that we can be proud of.”
“Give people a voice. Listen to how it feels to work for your organization—and never stop doing it.”
“Shared values, shared goals, and shared opportunities for growth—that’s when I know I belong.”
“You always need to have a solid shared and known ground with other people in order to be able to build anything new on it.”
“When traditional investors have non-traditional entrepreneurs in front of them, they tend to kick into the risk management gears rather than the optimizing values type of gear.”