Notable Champions of Diversity

Phil Sadler, general manager of quality control for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, oversees more than 500,000 vehicles built annually at plants in Cambridge and Woodstock, Ontario. 

Despite the added responsibility that came with assuming this role in June, he was not prepared to give up his position as a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion. Sadler volunteered for that job two years ago, spurred in part by the movement for racial justice in the U.S. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a passion for him, and he doesn’t intend to sit on the sidelines.

“I was kind of galvanized to action because I realized that although it mattered in my personal life, I was maybe not embodying it as a leader,” he said.

Sadler guides the diversity, equity and inclusion program at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, serving as advocate, coach, thought leader and ally. Trained as an engineer, he said “not being an expert” in this field could be seen as a weakness, but it has allowed him to step back, surround himself with the right people, and encourage others to do the same. 

“Our job is not being the savior or showing the way — it’s learning to bring the right voices to the table, listen to them, respect them, and take action based on what they’re telling us,” he said.

Sadler oversaw Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada’s response to the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools in 2021, engaging with Indigenous leaders to find ways for employees to learn and take part in reflection and mourning. He mentors leaders of employee-led business partnering groups that support underrepresented people in the company’s work force.

Education remains one of the team’s primary functions, Sadler said. Though the status quo on the production floor has long been to avoid certain topics, he said he aims to arm colleagues with the knowledge needed to participate in meaningful discussions. Ultimately, he expects this will pay dividends by pulling in new voices and creating a closer-knit, inclusive work force. 

“There’s a lot of discussion right now about how tough the labor market is and what we are doing to hire and retain people,” said Sadler. 

“I think that diversity, equity and inclusion has an important role to play in creating belonging in people, creating a reason to be here, to work with us, to choose us.”

— David Kennedy