Melanie Hallenbeck is Chief Growth Officer at Alegeus, leading the company’s go-to-market strategy. With more than two decades of channel experience in the employee benefits and consumer-directed healthcare space, Melanie most recently served as chief growth officer at Elevate, a fast-growing developer of employee benefits technology. Prior to Elevate, she served as chief growth and marketing officer at benefitexpress, which was acquired by Wex, a leading global benefits company. Previously, she was senior vice president at WageWorks, leading the organization’s health plan partner channel business. Earlier in her career, she held senior sales roles at ADP and Progressive Benefits Solutions.

John works with leaders and teams to activate their DEI values, cultivate leaders within an organization, and unify teams. He is a changemaker who builds bridges and inspires genuine impact through his leadership and speaking!

John’s unique perspective in the diversity, equity, and inclusion conversation empowers leaders to use their own unique experiences to bridge divides. As an executive leader of an organization that works with dozens of cross-sector executives, John actively collaborates with professionals of diverse and divergent views to improve their city.

As a result of John’s work, people experience a real understanding of why bridge builders are needed and how to authentically be one. Palpable growth in organizations happen when this culture of belonging and leadership is cultivated with the tools and language John provides.
 

Dr. Diane Bergeron is a social-organizational psychologist and current Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Creative Leadership. She has consulted and worked with Fortune 500 companies. She earned her PhD at Columbia University. Her research and consulting areas include women’s leadership, workplace listening, and grief and bereavement in the workplace. Prior to graduate school, she spent two years volunteering in the Dominican Republic. Formerly, she was an associate professor in a business school at a research university. She took two years off work for a family sailing adventure. It was the best decision she ever made.

Dr. Michael Baran is the CEO of Iris Inclusion, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm. Dr. Baran draws on his own social science research to inform his DEI speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, and eLearning. After teaching at Harvard University, he has been supporting DEI in organizations for 20 years. His work has been covered in the New York Times, BBC, Forbes, CNN, NPR, and more.

His recent book, Subtle Acts of Exclusion, was named by Forbes as one of “The 11 Books To Read To Be A More Inclusive Leader” and has won several awards.

Dr. Michael Baran is the CEO of Iris Inclusion, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm. Dr. Baran draws on his own social science research to inform his DEI speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, and eLearning. After teaching at Harvard University, he has been supporting DEI in organizations for 20 years. His work has been covered in the New York Times, BBC, Forbes, CNN, NPR, and more.

His recent book, Subtle Acts of Exclusion, was named by Forbes as one of “The 11 Books To Read To Be A More Inclusive Leader” and has won several awards.

Barbara Aloni joined The Standard in 2002 and has over 27 years of experience in group disability insurance. In her current role as Workplace Possibilities Program Director, she champions the administration of The Standard’s Workplace Possibilities Program and ADAAA Accommodation Services while leading a team of consultants who implement and manage these solutions for employers. Beyond her insurance experience, Barbara has worked for a non-profit organization and in human resources. Barbara graduated from Tufts University with a BA in social psychology, holds an MS Ed. in counseling from Fordham University and is a Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS).