2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Conference

Cultivating Change and Leveraging DEI in Today’s Landscape

Join us at the 2024 DEI Leadership Conference and unlock the secrets to cultivating a thriving, inclusive culture that fuels business success. Exciting keynote addresses and breakout sessions will cover topics ranging from civility and belonging in the workplace to embracing neurodiversity and legal compliance with AI. This must-attend event is tailored for HR and business professionals seeking practical strategies to thrive in an ever-evolving, interconnected world. With insightful sessions and actionable tools, emerge empowered to navigate the complexities of today's diverse and globalized landscape.

Thursday, October 17, 2024: Live Online (Zoom)

REGISTER HERE!

HRCI credits and SHRM PDCs have been applied for.

Thursday, October 17, 2024: Live Online (Zoom)

Opening Keynote: Equity and Inclusion Revolution: Practices for Today's and Tomorrow’s Competitive Edge

Joseph Santana
Chairman, CDO, PowerCircle
Biography

Let’s revolutionize the way you think about and approach equity and inclusion in your organization! Discover why new equity and inclusion practices are essential for staying ahead in today's and tomorrow’s dynamic business landscape, regardless of your company size. It’s time for a data dive that uncovers eye-opening statistics revealing the disconnect between employers, employees, and investors in the 21st century and the urgency for change. Learn why organizations of all sizes must embrace new equity and inclusion practices to thrive in today's competitive landscape. As we explore the origins of 20th-century DEI practices and why they fail to meet 21st-century needs, you will understand what we need to prepare for as we go deeper into the not-so-far-off future to drive value and prepare for success.

Session 2A: Language Matters: Building Inclusivity Through Words

Jordan Peters, MRA
Amanda Mosteller, MRA
Jennifer Trucks, MRA

Explore the power of language in shaping inclusive hiring, policies, and employee development. Hear from experts on optimizing job descriptions, leveraging AI, and bridging generational divides. Dive into handbook compliance and tailored onboarding strategies to empower your diverse workforce. This essential session equips HR professionals with the tools to foster truly inclusive workplaces.

Session 2B: Best Practices of Inclusive Employers

Wendy Bushell, Palermo
Deidre Garrett, Goodwill

Unlock the power of inclusive employment practices. Hear from two organizations that have crafted pathways to build diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforces. Gain real-world insights on community partnerships, total rewards strategies, and developing the business case for embracing underrepresented talent. Attendees will walk away with tools to transform their organizations into inclusive employers.

Session 2C: Unpacking the Why: Strengthening Your DEI Program's Purpose

Shary Tran, Generac
Sheila Milton, UW Credit Union
Jeff Walton, Cincinnati Zoo

Dive into the core purpose of your organization's DEI initiatives with this insightful panel discussion. Seasoned practitioners share how they built momentum and maintained focus, even amidst the noise. Gain practical strategies to reaffirm the critical role of DEI and ensure your program stays true to its transformative mission. A must-attend session for HR professionals and DEI champions seeking to reinvigorate their efforts.

Session 3A: Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Julie Lasher, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Brianna Potter, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Discover the keys to crafting an inclusive work environment through providing effective reasonable accommodations, policy modification, and strategic job restructuring. Learn to navigate the interactive process with a neurodiversity focus, ensuring your organization thrives by fostering a culture of disability inclusion and empowering neurodiverse employees to thrive.

Session 3B: Strategies to Build and Sustain Momentum for DEI Programs

Laura Brock, nVent

Uncover strategies for driving lasting change and igniting momentum for your DEI initiatives. This session equips attendees with proven tactics to navigate leadership conversations, articulate the business case for DEI, and foster enduring transformation within your organization. Discover how to build a solid foundation for long-term success and make a lasting impact on your workforce.

Session 3C: Ensuring Legal Compliance with AI in the Workplace

Alyesha Asghar, Littler

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to dominate headlines. The use of AI in the workplace is rapidly expanding in a wide variety of ways throughout the hiring process, including scanning and filtering resumes and AI-driven video interviews to assess candidates. If appropriately designed and applied, AI can help people find their most rewarding jobs and match companies with their most valuable and productive employees. Equally important, AI has been shown to advance diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. Despite the benefits of using AI during the hiring process to advance diversity goals, its use is not without challenges. Legal risks can arise if the AI tools are used to discriminate against protected classes either intentionally or unintentionally. In this session, Alyesha Asghar, a Shareholder with Littler Mendelson and the Co-Chair of its EEO & Diversity Practice Group will discuss the promises and perils of AI with a focus on its Inclusion Equity & Diversity implications.

Closing Keynote: Courageous Civility™: Creating a Culture of Equity, Diversity, and Belonging

Shola Richards
Founder & CEO, Go Together Global & Best-Selling Author
Biography
Demo Reel
Keynote Takeaways

Creating and sustaining a culture of equity, diversity and belonging can be challenging and exhausting work. Not only does it require the willingness to actively work against inequities, bias and discrimination in the workplace, but equally as important, it requires the courage to actively take part in uncomfortable (but, necessary) discussions. The highly-engaging Courageous Civility™ keynote provides the audience with the key tools, strategies, and information necessary to engage in this important work, while also ensuring that the commitment to this work remains long after the keynote ends.

Cost:

• Member Price: $150
• Nonmember Price: $150

REGISTER HERE!

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24-Hour Cancellation Policy:

We understand that plans can change unexpectedly. If you need to cancel your registration, we offer a 24-hour cancellation window.

• To receive a full refund of your registration fees, cancellations must be made within 24 hours of the event start time.
• If you're unable to attend the event, we offer the option to transfer your registration to another participant.
• To cancel or change your registration, please contact MRA Registrations at 262.696.3319 or registrations@mranet.org.

Thank You to our 2024 Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor:

Event Sponsors:

Sponsorship:

Sponsoring MRA events is a tremendous opportunity to bring your message of business value to our growing membership of organizations HR professionals and business leaders. Our members represent all industries including manufacturing, service, distribution, finance and health care! 80% of event attendees are new at each event offering you the opportunity to network with new contacts. We are very excited about the event this year and hope you can join us!

For more information on sponsorship, call Laura Kielbasa at 262.696.3346 or Laura.Kielbasa@mranet.org.

MRA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all event participants and MRA staff.

To ensure a comfortable learning environment for all event attendees, discussions should be focused on the meeting topic at hand. Expected behavior is outlined below:

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert the online MRA moderator if you
• notice violations of these guidelines or have concerns about fellow participants.

Participants violating these Guidelines will be asked to stop any inappropriate behavior and are expected to comply immediately. If the issue continues, MRA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including, but not limited to, removal of the participant from the public chat, from the event, and/or banning from all future events.