Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Virtual Summit 2021

2021 Speakers

All Times in EST

Virtual Welcome – Review Summit Navigation Tools

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks

Opening Keynote Presentation

Transforming Awareness into Allyship: Advancing Equity and Supporting Progress in the Workplace

As the Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion field continues to evolve, it’s important for us to focus on how equity is an imperative component as many organizations have included equity and even wellbeing as part of the Diversity + Inclusion strategies. This session is intended to educate our participants on many of the actions needed to progress forward. We’d like participants to walk away with increased awareness regarding systemic inequities and a shared understanding of tangible actions they can commit to within their own organizations and beyond. Ultimately it is our goal to ensure our participants in today’s session are empowered, committed, and acting to advance equity by combating injustice, inequity, disparities and move from awareness to allyship overall as we continue our journey on a world of understanding.

Keynote Presentation

Beyond Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a Culture of Belonging

In these times, diversity and inclusion should be more than just a policy. In fact, research shows that employees who feel their voice is heard are more likely to perform their best work and simply having a policy in place does not effectively solve the problem of discriminatory practices, whether deliberate or unconscious. A successful culture of belonging requires leadership commitment and involvement, an ongoing practice of inclusion, recognition of unique talents and accomplishments and an environment that fosters respect for openly and authentically sharing thoughts.

This session will:

• Provide insight into the critical concepts of equity, belonging, and allyship
• Demonstrate how they impact workplace culture and interactions
• Recommend steps necessary to implement a diversity, inclusion and belonging initiative in your organization

Panel Discussion

Driving Towards Systemic Success: Tried and True Equity & Inclusion Practices in the Workplace

Over the past year organizations have stepped up their DE&I game, with a much needed focus on racial equity and inclusion. Companies have launched new initiatives and discovered new ways to really listen to what their employees want and need. Despite visible and stated efforts, not all moved the needle in lasting and meaningful ways. This session will discuss the different initiatives launched by DE&I leaders that have shown effective and meaningful change in their organizations, including how that was measured.

During this session we will explore the challenges they faced, how they overcame them, and important lessons learned including:

• The crucial difference between actions for meeting metrics and actions that are meaningful 
• Promotion opportunities not just based on diversity, but on talent that was fostered by the organization
• Which employees are disproportionately impacted by socio-economic conditions and how employers can step in to reduce those burdens and foster their career growth
• Achieving equitable representation by enhancing recruiting and leadership development programs for black talent

Keynote Presentation

The MetroHealth System: Creating Sustainable Equity for Our Patients, Our Employees and Our Community

“For MetroHealth to fully live our mission to improve the health of our community and everyone who lives here, Racial Equity and Inclusion must be critical components of everything we do.

That’s what our community deserves. And that’s our promise…”
Join Alan K. Nevel, MetroHealth’s Senior Vice President – Chief Diversity and Human Resources Officer as he shares the unique approach that this 8,000 employee, safety net public healthcare system has taken to change the narrative around racism, equity and social injustice by truly walking the talk.

Networking Break & Exhibitor Showcase

Keynote Presentation

Why Inclusion, Belonging and Equity are More Important than Ever

Now more than ever, companies are being called upon to solve complex societal challenges and inequities – isolation, mental and behavioral health issues, systemic racism – not just for employees and customers but for the greater good overall. As an employer, where do you start, and how do you get it right? Diversity and inclusion is more than an initiative or a program. The ability to create meaningful, lasting change on the world starts on the inside, by creating a culture where employees feel like they belong, valued for their unique contributions, and empowered to succeed.

In this keynote, learn how a multi-year programmatic approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) can have a multiplier effect to help you build a more equitable future for your workforce and the communities you serve:

• Leverage insights, data and best practices to shape your approach
• Apply a DEI lens to address broader societal and community needs through advocacy and action
• Measure and report on progress to demonstrate meaningful impact

Keynote Presentation

Converting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives into Measurable Change

Over the last five years, there has been a 113% increase in the number of executives that hold diversity and inclusion titles. Importantly, most Chief Diversity Officers manage the overarching culture of the workplace. Additionally, HR and Learning and Development have been taking a more active role with communication and training. With this momentum in place, it is now time to take steps that will accelerate change and adoption. Research has shown that while training has increased awareness and sensitivity, it hasn’t always changed behavior. Individuals have different backgrounds and lived experiences that inform their biases. So, it is especially useful to practice having uncomfortable or even difficult conversations. Practicing these crucial conversations and doing so in a safe environment, increases confidence, improves engagement and ultimately accelerates behavior change. As a result of attending this round-table discussion, participants will:

• Examine the current state of diversity and inclusion, beyond policies: what’s working and what has not
• Learn about obstacles, and the critical role that managers and people leaders play in overcoming them
• Understand and appreciate why making this change is very personal
• Learn about solutions that will accelerate behavior change

Keynote Presentation

DE&I: The New Link Between Organizational Culture and Business Success

People are the number one asset of any organization or business; however, many leaders fail to recognize that, and this puts them at a disadvantage when managing and leading. DE&I is an element of organizational culture. Businesses should strive to have an organizational culture that can sustain itself beyond the transition of leaders and employees. A DE&I program must be tied to Business strategy to be successful. Businesses will not reach optimal success without developing a culture which values DE&I.

This session will provide participants with an understanding of the evolution of DE&I in the workplace; the People/Human Capital value proposition, and how DE&I is tied to organizational culture leading to integration into a successful business strategy.

Keynote Presentation

How to Grow Inclusive Leaders At Every Level

More than just a program, companies that make real progress on the diversity, equity and inclusion journey understand that leaders must have the understanding and skills to exude the behaviors that align with the company they serve.  Leaders need opportunities to learn and grow every single day.  They are asking for help to become more effective and building inclusive teams, effectively mentoring others and having candid conversations to interrupt exclusion.

This session will:

• Provide insight into how to develop inclusive leaders
• Offer best-practice techniques and strategies to enable leaders to take positive actions
• Recommend an approach to instill inclusive leadership qualities at every level of the organization

Keynote Presentation

The Road to Equity: Systemic Embedding of Interventions and Equity

Long-term meaningful change within global organizations requires an approach that fosters organization-wide participation and support. Without a comparable systemic approach to combat hundreds of years of systemic discrimination, this opportune time will be just another moment in time of perceived progress. To pull through, DE&I leaders must have an integrated approach that touches every side of the organization.

In this session, learn how the programmatic element of Google’s initiatives are being leveraged to drive an integrated DE&I approach for their organization including:

• Driving organization-wide involvement in the systemic embedding of interventions and equity
• Programmatic engagement of ERGs and community advisors
• Leveraging relationships to identify unique challenges, obstacles, and experiences at Google Building those unique needs into processes and systems Counsel, coach, and partner with internal community to shape inclusive engagement and an equitable workplace culture

End of Virtual Summit