ConocoPhillips Malaysia Public Affairs and Communications Advisor Fazlin Ekrami received a 2023 SPIRIT Award for her role in promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

BY RAY SCIPPA

Having experienced a deeply traumatic event early in life, Fazlin Ekrami became an unwavering advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. Her journey exemplifies the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of empathy.

“I am a trauma survivor, but for the longest time I didn’t see it that way,” she said. “I was ashamed, and found myself without a voice, powerless. Years after, when I had built myself a home and became a parent that changed for me.”

Refusing to be defined by her trauma, Fazlin transformed her pain into strength, vowing to raise awareness about those who are struggling, and advocate for support systems that prioritize mental, emotional and physical well-being.

The power of family and motherhood

Being a big sister means a lot to Fazlin. Growing up as the second of five children, she felt a deep sense of responsibility towards her younger siblings. As a teenager, when the family relocated for a few years to Virginia on the U.S. east coast, that instinct grew even stronger.

Returning to Malaysia, she completed her undergrad degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Then Fazlin got married and had a child, but soon found herself navigating parenthood alone.

Despite encountering obstacles, she discovered immense solace and strength in her role as a caregiver supported by her family.

“My daughter, Maya, is my biggest cheerleader and supporter. If it weren’t for her and the endless support of my parents and siblings, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

Embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Motivated by her life’s experiences, Fazlin embarked on a personal journey of education and growth, immersing herself in the realm of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

“Before there was a term for DEI, I was already an advocate,” she said.

During her first job at a call center, she observed new hires struggling with English as their second language. Training was the same for all new hires regardless of their level of competency. Recognizing the unfairness of a system that hindered their advancement based solely on language proficiency, she took the initiative to level the playing field.

“I went to my supervisor and volunteered to provide additional training,” Fazlin said. Her approach included immersing them in English storybooks, listening to English radio programs and engaging in conversations about English series and videos.

When testing time came around, the new hires emerged as top scorers within their group. Fazlin's commitment to equal opportunity set the stage for her broader advocacy work.

Finding her calling

“By the time I came to ConocoPhillips, we had a name for it,” Fazlin said. “About six months after I started with the Malaysian business unit, an email was sent out asking for volunteers to join the first Diversity & Inclusion Committee. I put my name in and was selected. I found my calling!”

Working alongside like-minded volunteers who shared her passion, Fazlin faced the challenge of addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the traditional and conservative Malaysian culture.

“It was a team effort,” she said. “Obviously it was not easy. There are some things, given the nature of the local culture, that are more difficult to tackle than others. We had differences of opinion, but we knew it was important to include all voices. At the end of the day, that’s what DEI is all about.”

Through her advocacy work, Fazlin emphasized the creation of safe spaces where individuals from all backgrounds can flourish. She championed inclusive hiring practices, encouraging hiring managers to embrace diversity in all its forms and dismantle practices that could be exclusionary and limit the talent attracted to the company.  

Taking the initiative

In his nomination of Fazlin for the DEI Advocate Award, Senior Geologist Aizad Abu Bakar described her proactive approach.

“She embodies DEI, with a strong emphasis on empathy for those directly or indirectly around her,” Aizad wrote. “She builds relationships with every single person in the office, knowing everyone's name and background by heart. She has been consistently invested and passionate (sometimes to her own detriment) in making changes in the Malaysia BU. No one deserves this award more than her!”

Aizad listed Fazlin’s accomplishments:

• She spearheaded quarterly DEI Coffee Talks known as Safe-Space Sessions that provided a platform for employees to share opinions and grievances on office culture.

  

• She was a driving force behind preparations and delivery of the popular annual Malaysian DEI Week Program that includes roundtable discussions, treasure hunts and photo competitions.
• Not afraid to learn from others, she persuaded Malaysia to adopt the Walk in My Shoes Program. Created in Houston by the company’s Finance Department, it focuses on uncovering and overcoming potential implicit biases by role playing personas with different experiences and perspectives.
• She took the initiative to introduce the Malaysian DEI committee to the company’s new Chief Diversity Officer Natacha Buchanan, sharing the committee’s recent accomplishments and tapping into Natacha's ideas for upcoming goals.

Learning how to drive on the other side

In the spring of 2023, Fazlin embarked on a temporary expatriate assignment, relocating from Kuala Lumpur to Houston to work on change management for the implementation of the company's next generation enterprise resource planning software.

This opportunity also allows her to interact with Natacha and engage with the company's global DEI program while continuing to support the Malaysian committee.

Settling into a very different environment has had challenges. “I’m learning how to drive on the other side, both the road and the wheel! You think you know how to drive!” she said. “That’s keeping me busy.”

On a personal level, she looks forward to traveling with Maya, who also relocated to Ohio to spend time with her dad for the next few years. “We have never been separated, so that was a tough decision for us, but now with me in Houston, we are much closer! I look forward to traveling with her and creating new memories.”

And naturally, she’s looking into Houston volunteer opportunities so she can – with the compassion of a big sister and the love of a mother – continue to help others.