As Vice President of Human Resources at Harpo Inc., Tenia Davis is focused on the company’s biggest asset, its workforce.  Her mission is to attract, develop and retain outstanding talent for Harpo, and provide them with the knowledge and the work environment that enables all employees to contribute at optimum levels towards the success of all Harpo business goals.

Five years ago, Davis joined Harpo’s executive team to oversee all aspects of Human Resources for Harpo’s major business groups:  The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Oprah Winfrey Foundations, Harpo Films, Harpo Studios, Oprah Radio, Oprah.com, Development, and The Oprah Store. 

Through her leadership, she develops and implements the strategic direction for the Human Resources function.  She is responsible for the company’s talent management, leadership development, employee relations, labor relations, diversity, compensation, benefits and operational excellence.

Davis brings to the role 20 years of experience as a Human Resources professional working in the Aerospace/Defense, Healthcare and Insurance industries.  Earlier in her career, she gained extensive HR experience focusing on Organizational Development & Training and Organizational Behavior, employee relations and benefits. Davis maximized her six-sigma training by driving process efficiencies within the organizations. She currently serves on the Atrevete A Sonar (American Association of University Women) board and is a consultant to various Welfare to Work and Job Readiness programs. Davis completed her MBA at Loyola University, Chicago. 

Kyra Cavanaugh is president of Life Meets Work, a consulting firm that helps organizations implement and improve workplace flexibility. She provides companies that are striving to be “best-in-class” with an online member-based community and services that include coaching, consulting, and training.  She’s a nationally-recognized speaker on workplace flexibility, telecommuting and work/life issues, and the recipient of the 2011 Work-Life Rising Star Award by Alliance for Work-Life Progress.

Georgia Coffey was named Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diversity and Inclusion in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Sept. 2, 2008. As Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ms. Coffey serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration on equal employment opportunity, workforce diversity and workplace inclusion issues. She has over 20 years of EEO, diversity, and dispute resolution experience in the public and private sectors and has led several leading edge EEO and diversity initiatives government-wide.

Since joining the VA in 2008, Ms. Coffey has served as a catalyst for change. Under her leadership, VA has implemented numerous groundbreaking programs including developing VA’s first Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, standing-up its first VA-wide Diversity Council, implementing standardized EEO and diversity training for managers and supervisors, issuing a consolidated EEO, Diversity, and No FEAR Policy Statement, and restructuring and renaming the office she leads to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Prior to joining VA in 2008, Ms. Coffey served as the Director of EEO and Diversity Management and Acting Assistant Commissioner for Management for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration where she implemented similar first-time EEO and diversity initiatives. She is a prolific public speaker on diversity and inclusion in the public sector and a contributing author to “Inside the Minds: Implementing a Successful Human Resources Strategy.”

Ms. Coffey earned her Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, a Master's Degree and Doctoral work in education from American University, and a Certificate in EEO Studies from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Captain Barrett is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts. He attended the College of the Holy Cross and graduated with the class of 1984.

Upon commissioning through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), he was assigned to USS DENVER (LPD 9) serving as Auxiliaries and Main Propulsion Division Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant. In 1988, Captain Barrett served as the Assistant Combat Direction Center Officer on USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) under the Carrier Readiness Improvement Program (CVRIP). On completion of this tour, he reported to the Navy’s Bureau of Personnel in Washington D. C.

During his Washington tour, Captain Barrett augmented NAVCENT staff, embarked USS BLUERIDGE (LCC 19), during Operation Desert Storm, serving with distinction as Flag/Battle Watch Officer and Port Loader. In 1992, Captain Barrett served on USS CUSHING (DD 985) as Operations Officer. He followed this assignment with a tour as Navigator on USS TARAWA (LHA 1). Other sea tours include assignments as Executive Officer on USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD 39) and Operations Officer on USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) during the Global War on Terror.

Captain Barrett holds a Bachelor of Art’s Degree in Political Science from Holy Cross, a Master of Art’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and an Executive MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College.

Upon completion of Joint Officer training, Captain Barrett was assigned as the Naval Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and U.S. Navy representative to the United Nation’s Military Staff Committee.  In this capacity, Captain Barrett was the Joint Staff representative at the U. S. Mission in New York.

In 2003, Captain Barrett was the Navy’s Federal Executive Fellow at Harvard University’s Olin Institute for Strategic Studies. Upon completion, he reported to Navy Recruiting District, San Diego as Executive Officer and took command in December 2004. He led NRD San Diego to the #1 Recruiting District in the Nation for 2004, 2005, and 2006. From 2006 to 2011, Captain Barrett served as the Navy’s Diversity Director.  He is currently serving as the Deputy Director, Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity in Washington, DC.
 
Personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (one star), Navy Commendation Medal (3 stars), and Navy Achievement Medal, as well as many other unit and campaign awards. He has also been recognized with the Ted Child’s Work Life Excellence Award.

Brigadier General Belinda Pinckney, a native of Dublin, Georgia, entered the Army in September 1976 as a Finance Specialist. Upon completion of basic and advanced individual training, she was assigned to the 105th Finance Section, Augsburg, Germany. While holding various finance positions within the office, she was selected for Officer Candidate School in 1978 and was commissioned a Finance Officer in February 1979. Brigadier General Pinckney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Maryland; a Master of Public Administration degree in Financial Management at Golden Gate University; and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Brigadier General Pinckney assumed command of the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command on 11 May 2006. Her prior command and staff positions include: Brigade Commander, 266th Finance Command and US Army Europe Staff Finance and Accounting Officer, Heidelberg, Germany; Battalion Commander, Training Support Battalion, Soldier Support Institute, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller); Budget Analyst, Technology Management Office, Office of the Chief of Staff, Army; Congressional Appropriations Liaison Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); and Principal Deputy Director/Army Element Commander, Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Her military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit medals, six Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge. Brigadier General Pinckney was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2001.

Dr. Jarris Louis Taylor, Jr., a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for the Strategic Diversity Integration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for the policy, guidance, direction and oversight of all plans and programs affecting diversity integration for Air Force military and civilian personnel. Dr. Taylor provides leadership, strategic direction and oversight to all levels of the Air Force to ensure a diverse and inclusive Total Force.

Dr. Taylor, a native of Baltimore, Md., earned his Doctor of Education degree in higher education administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He retired from the Air Force in 2005 and has extensive experience in academia, research, community service and fundraising. Prior to his current position, he was Associate Director, William R. Harvey Leadership Institute and Honors College at Hampton University, Va. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2009.

Deborah Dagit joined Merck & Co. Inc. as the Chief Diversity Officer in June 2001. She has responsibility for global equal opportunity employment compliance, diversity, inclusion, work environment, and university relations strategy.

Under Ms. Dagit's leadership, organizations such as Diversityinc, Working Mother and the Human Rights Campaign have recognized Merck for its exemplary work in diversity and inclusion. Merck has undergone 55 different federal audits for compliance with U.S. Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for federal contractors since 1980 - each time, receiving a letter of compliance from the government.

Ms. Dagit introduced and leads the company's signature Global Constituency Group (GCG) strategy, which was launched with the creation of 10 global teams representing 32 countries.  These groups are: Men, Women, Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native/Indigenous, Differently Able, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Asian, Interfaith and Generational. Each team is made up of 15-20 senior leaders representing the company's best talent across various business units and geographies. 

These teams are charged with recommending both talent development and marketplace- focused best practices to be integrated into the company’s HR and business practices. The teams' work guides the Company's diversity and inclusion strategy globally. In addition to the 10 GCGs, Merck also has eight Employee Resource Groups, a Chairman's annual global diversity awards program, and plays a key role in well known educational outreach and philanthropic initiatives with strategic partners.

Ms. Dagit joined Merck from Silicon Graphics, Inc. where she was a Director of Learning Communications and Diversity since 1993. Prior to Silicon Graphics, Ms. Dagit was Senior Manager, Strategic Cultural Initiatives for Sun Microsystems, Inc. from 1991 to 1993.  Previously, she founded and managed Bridge-to-Jobs, a job placement organization through which she personally placed 400 people with disabilities into full time employment. She played a key role in the passage of the American with Disabilities Act through lobbying efforts in California and Washington, D.C. 

Ms. Dagit earned a bachelor's degree with honors from Oregon State University, and completed her master's coursework in clinical psychology at San Jose State University. She is a past Chair of the Conference Board's Workforce Council on Diversity and served as co-chair of the Board of the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network until May 2011. She also currently serves on the Business Advisory Councils for Catalyst and the Tanenbaum Center for Inter-religious understanding, and is on the Board of the U.S. Business Leadership Network and the Families and Work Institute. She is the author of, "The Promise of Diversity: Reflections on the Not-So-Level Playing Field" and "An Employer's Guide to Hiring and Accommodating People with Disabilities."

Among her many awards, Ms. Dagit earned the 2005 Champion of the Year from Out and Equal; the 2004 “Employee of the Year" award from Careers & the DisABLED magazine; the 2000 Exemplary Leader Award from Silicon Graphics; the 1999 Advocate of the Year from the Black Employees Network; the 1997 Award of Professional Excellence from the Northern California HR Council; and the 1996 Tribute to Women in Industry award.

Dennis is the Director of Inclusion on McDonald’s Corporations’ Global Inclusion and Intercultural Management team. His responsibilities include coaching and consulting Home Office and Region leaders on multi-cultural team management; coaching and consulting leadership teams for a more inclusive workplace; coaching and consulting McDonald’s five National Employee Business Network leaders on building more viable and visible networks; and oversight of McDonald’s Global employee online Mentoring program for 10,000+ employees.

Dennis began his McDonald’s career in 1982 in Human Resources, and has been a professional in human resources management and motivation for over 30 years. His expertise and emphasis is on the strategic identification and development of diverse people talent. Dennis uses his ‘discover, design, develop and deliver’ organizational process to define value to a business or organization and has been a featured speaker at seminars and workshops throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.  He has developed several programs, including the template for the first Economic Impact Report used by McDonald’s Corporation that demonstrates the value of a business to its community, and it is still in use today throughout North America.

Additionally, Dennis is nationally recognized for his expertise in honoring and integrating ethnic differences into the workplace for mutual benefit and has produced the diversity awareness seminar “Value Difference Day.”  He is “Life Certified” as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resource Certification Institute; and he is a polished facilitator with many different Diversity education programs.  Dennis was recently selected to be a voting member on the SHRM Diversity & Inclusion National Standards taskforce to establish consistent qualifications for Top Diversity Professionals by 2013.

Dennis’ community leadership contributions include work as an Executive Coach to the Board of Trustees of the Ronald McDonald House of Durham, North Carolina; past two-term Chairman of the Board for the Greater Sacramento (CA) Urban League; he served four years on the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce; he was a former Board member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California; and a former Board member and Treasurer of the St. Louis (MO) Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  He also served as an advisor to the Boards of People Reaching Out and the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation; and as a four-year member of the Community Advisory Board of KVIE, TV 6 in Sacramento.

Mr. Boone is responsible for delivering investment services and other products to TD’s U.S. Mass Affluent customers.  He also has executive leadership of TD Bank USA, the nationally chartered bank that provides banking products and services to Customers of TD AMERITRADE
 
Mr. Boone joined TD Bank Financial Group as EVP, Marketing Director, TD Banknorth in 2007 and subsequently became Executive Vice President Corporate Strategy for TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank. In this capacity, he built a team to lead strategic development work in retail banking, mortgages, small business and commercial banking during TD’s integration of Commerce Bancorp.  He also chairs TD’s U.S. Diversity Leadership Team, a team of senior executives championing diversity across TD by driving enterprise-wide diversity initiatives and working with businesses and support groups to embed diversity into their business plans. 

Mr. Boone’s career spans both the retail and financial services industries.  He began his career with Loblaw Companies Ltd., Canada’s largest retailer.  While at Loblaw, he drove Loblaw’s expansion into financial services, leading its successful banking joint venture, President’s Choice (PC) Financial. Mr. Boone also chartered PC Bank, one of the first retailer owned banks in Canada, specifically designed to enter the credit card and loyalty program markets.  Under his leadership, PC Financial and PC Bank grew to offer banking, mortgage, credit card and insurance products, becoming an important profit contributor to Loblaw Companies.

During his 15 years at Loblaw, he also directed its National Wholesale Division that includes its Warehouse Club and Foodservice operations. He revitalized this multi-billion dollar division in this intensively competitive market -- competing with Costco, Sam’s Club & Sysco -- by consolidating stores, driving comparable sales growth through promotional strategies and implementing margin-enhancing strategies.  Previously, he held progressive roles in Finance and Corporate Development. 

David Boone serves on the Board of Advisors for Catalyst Inc. (NY), which is dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and Business.  He also serves on the Board of The Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia and has served as a Director on the Mastercard Canada Region Board.

Mr. Boone holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University (Hamilton, Ont.), and an Executive MBA from the joint program between Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Chicago, IL), and the Schulich School of Business at York University (Toronto, Ont.).

Jamie Scarano is the Director of Integrated Inclusion and Internal Operations for the Center for Inclusion at UPMC, an $8 billion, 20-hospital global health system and health plan based in Pittsburgh, PA. With a 50,000 employee base, she is responsible for ensuring that inclusion is integrated into the day-to-day business practices and overall strategic initiatives. She has met with key stakeholders to strategize on how inclusion can transition from being a bolt-on approach and rather, built-in to their strategies. Jamie has the opportunity to promote a culture of inclusion through UPMC’s Dignity & Respect Campaign, a workplace and community initiative designed to promote inclusive behaviors. Jamie has presented the concept to employee groups of 10 to 100 through system-wide road shows and focus groups. The center also launched a bi-annual culture survey in 2010 that will help drive year over year improvement in areas such as employee engagement and retention.   

Prior to this role, she was the Director of Human Resources for the UPMC Cancer Centers where she provided both strategic and day-to-day management of overall HR functions to ensure business objectives and goals were met. Jamie was instrumental in creating initiatives such as the 52 for You Calendar that was instituted system-wide and ensured managers were utilizing day to day retention tools in their practices. She has partnered with other leaders in the organization to share her expertise around organizational development opportunities such as DISC and Strengths Finders. Jamie was chosen as a member of the first Leadership Development Intensive (LDI) Program that focuses on continuing education for high-potential leaders of the organization. She spent 12 years in human resources at Apria Healthcare, a billion dollar, nationwide homecare company prior to joining UPMC. 

Jamie holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations from Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Marketing from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA. Her community involvement and professional affiliations include serving as a board member for Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Pennsylvania; on advisory boards for PA Women Work, Robert Morris University, and PA Diversity Council - Pittsburgh. She also is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).