Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Conference

Today's headlines have shined a spotlight on equality in our communities. Learn how diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace can make a positive impact on your business and in our communities.

Join us for the rescheduled Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Leadership Conference now live streaming on October 7, 2020.

Learn practical examples of how diversity outreach and inclusion efforts are good business ... and good for our communities.

Hear from experts, community partners and other key stakeholders who will share:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion successes and challenges.
• Practical examples of how diversity is not only good for business, but helps address some of our country’s most troubling trends.
• How building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace is critical to the growth of your business, and is vital to the health, safety and vibrancy of our communities.
• Resources in the community who can aid your efforts to achieve your DEI goals.

Approved for 3.5 HRCI credits and SHRM PDC's.

Keynote Opening Session

8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Presented by Dr. Shelton Goode, President and CEO, Icarus Consulting, LLC
Crisis as a Platform for Social Change

The theme of 2020 seems to be “Crisis” and leaders must help their organizations figure out how to adapt. We realize that the shift in workplace culture will have significant implications and how D&I leaders respond will impact talent acquisition, employee engagement, talent retention. Managing in a post-crisis workplace will also become harder by exerting potential pressure on corporate costs and expenses.

This presentation will discuss what the future of organizations looks like during and after a crisis in the areas of D&I strategy, operations, culture and engagement, talent acquisition, talent management, and learning and development. In this session, attendees will learn:

• Some of the trends that will be emerging.
• The role D&I will play in the context of organizational during and after crisis.
• Actions leaders must take to ensure they are adequately prepared and trained to help their organizations during and after crisis.

Session 2

9:35 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
Presented by Beth Ridley, Founder and CEO, The Brimful Life
3 Steps to Make Diversity a Differentiator in Meetings

Diversity exists in many forms - gender, ethnicity, age, experience, background, working styles and thoughts - to name a few. These differences can challenge workplace values, relationships and team productivity. When managed effectively, however, diversity can be the catalyst for creative and innovative solutions and result in high performing teams and impactful outcomes. The challenge and opportunity for leaders is to create an environment in which all members of the team feel respected, included and appreciated as individuals while harnessing diversity to positivity impact shared business goals. In this session, you will learn what it takes to transform teams and organizational cultures to be more inclusive and how to lead with an inclusive mindset to positively impact day-to-day workplace experiences such as meetings to make diversity a differentiator for success.

Session Take-Aways:

• Simplify and demystify what it takes to drive a culture of inclusion
• Appreciate the role of micro-moments in driving a culture of inclusion
• Learn actionable inclusive culture best practices
• Learn critical communication skills to harness diversity for better decision-making in meetings

Session 3

10:22 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Presented by Mary Dowell, Founder and CEO, MJ Dowell & Associates
Double Down Effect: Living Diversity in a World of Adversity/Conflict Resolution

Perseverance, integrity, and finding the right support systems are key components for overcoming obstacles, barriers, and biases to become your best self. Through thought-provoking examples and resources for development, participants will have the opportunity to think about the current state of their leadership journey, and areas where they can improve. They will be provided resources to enhance their skills and performance regardless of where they are in their life and career.

Session 4

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Presented by John Robinson, CEO, Our Ability
Going Beyond!

John Robinson shares his story of overcoming obstacles as a quad amputee and leading a business by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities. Our Ability’s mission is to consult with employers to leverage the successful employment of individuals with disabilities; proven to lower job turnover rates, boost morale and increase bottom line profit. Learn how to enhance employment opportunities and build training modules towards successful employment outcomes. Together, we all have the ability to overcome personal obstacles and build stronger lives for those of us with challenges.

Dr. Shelton Goode is the president and chief executive officer of Icarus Consulting, a veteran-owned consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations create inclusive cultures that leverage diversity and inclusion for a competitive advantage. Icarus Consulting accomplishes this by developing strategies which enable their clients to attract, develop, and retain highly skilled talent from an emerging diverse workforce and, at the same time, enhance the engagement, knowledge, and skill of current employees.

He is a business executive with over 20 years of diversity, inclusion, HR, and higher education experience. He has held executive positions for companies ranging in size from $300M to $11B+. He has developed or implemented talent management programs, performance management systems, sales incentive plans, labor relations strategies, and large-scale culture change initiatives.

Dr. Goode is the author of Diversity Managers: Angels of Mercy or Barbarians at the Gate. He learned the value of diversity and inclusion first-hand by rolling up his sleeves and providing CEOs and senior executives with counsel, insight, resources, tools, and innovative ideas that helped advanced their companies’ strategic business goals. For the last ten years, he has leverage seasoned leadership and consulting skills to help companies implement diversity manage initiatives, which enhanced their talent acquisition, employee retention, and employee engagement strategies.

Beth Ridley believes a positive, connected and committed organizational culture is critical to business success. That's why she combined her 25 years of corporate leadership and management consulting experience with her expertise in diversity and inclusion and positive psychology to launch, The Brimful Life, a consulting firm that works with executives to strengthen their leadership teams and transform organizational cultures to better support the organization’s vision and strategic goals. In addition, The Brimful Life podcast series, keynote presentations and workshops inspire and equip leaders to develop a positive mental mindset and lead with optimism.

Beth has lived and worked in London, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Boston and New York City. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Virginia, a MA in International Relations from Tufts University and an MBA from Columbia University.

Beth lives a brimful life by spending time with her husband and three kids and with running, speed skating and watching cooking competition shows on TV which is ironic because she hates to cook.

Mary Dowell is the Founder and CEO of MJ Dowell & Associates, a management-consulting group with emphasis in Coaching, Workshops, Philanthropy, and Inspirational Speaking. She is the author of the award-winning book "Playing Through The Fence."

Prior to starting her own company, Mary held the position of Vice President of Foundation Affairs and Global Community Relations at Johnson Controls.

Mary is an active supporter of the community, and served as past president of Professional Dimensions, Ko-Thi Dance Company, and the Milwaukee Urban League. She is a member of TEMPO Milwaukee, Professional Dimensions, and Boys and Girls Club Sista Pride committee. She serves as a board member of After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD), Goodwill Industries of Southeastern WI, Milwaukee Women Inc., Kings Academy Church School, and Concordia University Foundation. She has served on the board of VISIT Milwaukee and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. She is a founding member of UPAF’s Notable Women, and past member of United Way Collaborative Fund and United Way Women’s Leadership Council.

In March 2018, John Robinson was awarded the Capital Region Chamber Champion of the Year, in front of 1100 New York business leaders! John proudly accepted one of ten national White House Champions of Change for Disability Employment in 2014 in Washington D.C. Since 2011, he’s served as managing partner, CEO and Founder of Our Ability, which provides inclusive workforce and employment consulting, mentoring, workshops, keynotes and seminars on disability and diversity. Our Ability has a coalition of forty (40) New York State businesses interested in hiring individuals with disabilities. John was the subject of "Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story," a public television documentary.

Live Stream Conference:

Member / Nonmember: $100 per person.

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 and exhibit booths, call Kim Mitschke at 262.696.3505 or kim.mitschke@mranet.org.

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