Christopher “CJ” Gross is the author of the best-selling book What's Your Zip Code Story? Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace and the highly acclaimed Harvard Business Review article, A Better Approach to Mentorship. He is a TEDx Speaker and founder of Ascension Worldwide, a firm dedicated to DEI and cultural transformation consulting based in the Washington, D.C. area. CJ has 20-years of experience as an international organizational development consultant specializing in leadership development, and DEI transformation. CJ is a certified Social + Emotional Intelligence coach, trainer, Keirsey Temperament professional, and Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Administrator.

Michael Bach is a nationally and internationally recognized thought leader and subject matter expert in the fields of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA). He has worked globally in the IDEA field, including as the Deputy Chief Diversity Officer for KPMG International. He is the founder of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), CCDI Consulting and Pride at Work Canada.

He is the author of the best-selling and award-winning books Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right and Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work.

Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist…Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.” 

Jay Leno’s late night television ratings domination included two decades as the host of the #1-rated “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” –after the first two years Jay Leno never lost a single ratings year in which he served as host. 

Leno currently produces and is host of the CNBC primetime series JAY LENO’S GARAGE now in its seventh season. The new season premieres Wednesday, September 7 at 10pm ET/PT on CNBC (Wednesdays at 10pm ET/PT).  “Jay Leno’s Garage” explores the world of cars, never forgetting that it’s the people behind the wheel who provide the real stories.  The series debuted in October 2015 and delivered CNBC’s most-watched first season in network history.   

The show is an outgrowth of JAY LENOS GARAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL which Leno produces and has an international following on the Web and has garnered several Emmy Awards and nominations for Outstanding Special Class–Short-Format Nonfiction Programs.  

His new product line JAY LENO’S GARAGE ADVANCED VEHICLE CARE launched in December of 2016 and has been well received by the Automotive Industry worldwide. 

Products are available on www.lenosgarage.com. 

Jay Leno is currently hosting “YOU BET YOUR LIFE” and completed the second season returning in syndication in Fall 2022.  This comedy game show is co-hosted by Jay’s longtime Tonight Show bandleader Kevin Eubanks and features strangers teaming up to answer a series of trivia questions with the goal of winning thousands of dollars. 

When he’s not on TV, Leno performs more than 100 stand-up shows annually across the country and internationally; participates in numerous charity and corporate events, does voice-overs for animated series, pens children’s books, and writes a monthly column in various automotive magazines.  And in his “spare” time (as if he has any), he enjoys working on his collection of classic cars and motorcycles.  In fact, he has built a number of cars, including an acclaimed eco-car in his eco-friendly green garage. 

Leno is the recipient of many honors, including Emmy, People’s Choice, and TV Guide awards, Harris Poll selection as most popular star on television, the Hasty Pudding Award at Harvard University, The Mark Twain Prize, recipient of the Patriot Award given by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and being the first person to drive the pace car of all major NASCAR events. 

He and his wife Mavis, an ardent human rights activist, live in Los Angeles.*Insert Bio Here* 

Sherri Shepherd is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show host, comedian, actress, and best-selling author who brings her inimitable, authentic and comedic perspective to daytime with her own #1 new nationally syndicated talk show, SHERRI. Hailed as "TV's New Feel Good Queen," Shepherd’s warm, relatable and engaging personality shines through as she offers her comedic take on the day’s entertainment news, pop culture, and trending topics with her daytime audience. As America's favorite girl next door, her comedy-driven show features celebrity interviews, informative experts, moments of inspiration and amazing everyday people to create an hour of entertainment escapism.  

With an illustrious career spanning three decades, Shepherd’s longevity serves as a testament to her immense talent and undeniable appeal. Shepherd's ability to connect with audiences of diverse backgrounds and her commitment to authentic storytelling have undoubtedly contributed to her success. Her recent triumphs include winning two 2023 NAACP Image Awards, where she took home awards for Outstanding Talk Series for SHERRI; and Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast for her podcast Two Funny Mamas with fellow comedic actress Kym Whitley. Shepherd and Whitley also won in 2022 for Outstanding Lifestyle and Self-Help podcast.  

In addition to her NAACP Image Awards victories, Shepherd also garnered recognition for her exceptional work in the daytime television realm. Her talk show, SHERRI,  garnered four 2023 Daytime Emmy Awards nominations for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host, Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup, Outstanding Costume Design / Styling and Outstanding Promotional Announcement. Her recent nominations confirm her commitment to excellence and her ability to consistently deliver standout performances that resonate with viewers. 

Whether on stage or screen, Sherri Shepherd’s magnetic personality and hilarious sense of humor never fails to delight audiences. Shepherd’s multifaceted career includes roles in several acclaimed television and film projects. She can currently be seen in the HBO MAX series Sex Lives of College Girls; and had a guest starring role on the new season of Amazon’s HARLEM. She co-starred in the Netflix hit comedy series Mr. Iglesias; and as a recurring guest star on ABC’s Call Your Mother. Shepherd’s other television credits include 30 Rock, Trial and Error, Rosewood, Man With a Plan, How I Met Your Mother, Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends and The Jamie Foxx Show. Her film credits include her first theatrical lead role in Brian Banks, Netflix’s A Week Away, Lifetime’s "Imperfect High, Precious, Think Like A Man, Top 5, Ride Along 2, Walk. Ride. Rodeo, Jean of The Joneses, Woodlawn, One For The Money, Abducted: The Carlina White Story, Guess Who, Beauty Shop, and more.  She was the first African-American woman to host a game show as host of four seasons of “The Newlywed Game. She made history portraying the first African-American version of the Evil Stepmother in the Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. 

 As a standup comic, Shepherd is always ready to bring the laughs and excitement to the stage. She toured with legendary musicians KEM and Babyface, hosting “The Full Circle Tour.” Shepherd also opened for fellow comedian and friend Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at his history-making comedy show at Dodgers Stadium, selling out more than 45,000 seats, making it the third biggest comedy show ever and the biggest ever in Los Angeles. In 2019, Shepherd co-headlined the all-female led comedy tour, “Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour,” with Loni Love, Kym Whitley and Adele Givens. 

Through her own production company, Faith Walker, Shepherd launched, and executive produced the NAACP Image Award-winning podcast Two Funny Mamas that she co-hosts with fellow actress Kym Whitley. A New York Times best-selling author, Shepherd released two books, “Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don't Have It),” and “Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break." 

 Beyond her accolades, Shepherd's impact extends beyond the screen. She has become a prominent voice in championing inclusivity and representation, using her platform to advocate for underrepresented communities, children with special needs and women in the workplace. Her dedication to using her influence for positive change is truly commendable and showcases her commitment to making a lasting impact in both the entertainment industry and society as a whole. 

With an undeniable presence and a talent that knows no bounds, Sherri Shepherd continues to redefine what it means to be a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. As she continues to push boundaries, inspire others, and captivate audiences worldwide, Sherri Shepherd remains a force to be reckoned with, leaving an indelible mark on the industry for years to come. 

Jessica Jensen is Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Indeed. She is responsible for brand, communication, product and acquisition marketing globally.  Before joining Indeed, Jessica was CMO at OpenTable. Prior to OpenTable, she led B2B marketing for Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and other Meta platforms. She has held leadership roles at Apple and Yahoo! and started her professional career at the Boston Consulting Group. Jessica holds an MBA from INSEAD, a Masters in International Relations from University of California San Diego and a B.A. from Amherst College.

Svenja Gudell. Ph.D. is Chief Economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Business Economics. Prior to joining Indeed, Svenja was Chief Economist at Zillow Group. Previously, Svenja worked on economic, financial and strategic consulting for Analysis Group, and was an assistant economist in the research group of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Svenja has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Rochester, a master’s degree in economics from New York University, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in finance from the University of Rochester.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is President and Chief Executive Officer of SHRM. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally.

As a global leader on the future of employment, culture and leadership, Mr. Taylor is a sought-after voice on all matters affecting work, workers and the workplace. Recognized as one of the “300 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America” for 2024 by Savoy Magazine and one of the “Most Influential People Shaping Public Policy” in our nation’s capital by Washingtonian Magazine, Mr. Taylor is frequently asked to testify before Congress on critical workforce issues and authors the weekly USA Today column, "Ask HR."

Mr. Taylor's career spans more than 20 years as a lawyer, human resources executive and CEO in both the not-for-profit and for-profit spaces. He has held senior and chief executive roles at IAC/InteractiveCorp, Viacom's Paramount Pictures, Blockbuster Entertainment Group, the McGuireWoods law firm and Compass Group USA. Most recently, Mr. Taylor was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

He is the author of the national bestseller, RESET: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval, which immediately upon its release in September 2021, was in the top three of The Wall Street Journal’s list of best-selling hardcover business books.

Mr. Taylor is a member of the United Way Worldwide Board of Trustees and serves on the corporate boards of XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO), Flores & Associates, and Guild Education. He previously served on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board and as chairman of the President's Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities during the Trump Administration.

The Women Business Collaborative (WBC) named Mr. Taylor as one of its 2023 Trailblazers in Gender Equity and Diversity for his work to achieve equal position, pay and power for all women in business. In 2020, he received the Distinguished Executive of the Year Award from the Academy of Management, and he was named 2021 ALA Professional Society CEO of the Year by CEO Update.

He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources and is licensed to practice law in Florida, Illinois and Washington, D.C.