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.

Jessica (she/her) is the Director of Educational Equity at the Center for Equity and Inclusion in Portland, Oregon. She's been an educator, facilitator and creative leader for more than a decade. Jessica's expertise lies at the intersection of strategic leadership, curriculum design, engaging facilitation, and developing organizational culture. With a track record in facilitating equity-focused training and guiding organizations through transformational journeys, she brings a strategic lens as well as a holistic approach to development and learning. Her dynamic leadership and service in school districts and consulting firms underscore her ability to drive impactful change in diverse settings.

Shan Foster is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fostering Healthy Solutions, LLC, focusing on diversity solutions through education and execution. With experience spanning various sectors, he's regarded as a visionary leader in the fields of entertainment, finance, technology, media, environment, and law enforcement. A passionate advocate for diversity, Foster has made significant contributions to news, corporate EDI efforts, higher education, and non-profit organizations. He authored "What Hurt Didn't Hinder," an inspiring story of perseverance and embracing diversity. As Executive Director of AMEND Together, he leads a nationally recognized program engaging men and boys to end violence against women. Foster's leadership expanded AMEND Together to multiple states. A charismatic speaker and facilitator, he explores the intersections of race, gender, and identity, addressing audiences from corporations to sports programs. Foster's basketball achievements at Vanderbilt University include numerous awards and induction into halls of fame. He actively serves on various boards and has received accolades for his influential work.

Chris Diaz is a dedicated professional who began his academic journey by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas State University. Recognizing the importance of data-driven decision-making, he obtained his MS in Business Analytics from TAMU-Commerce, acquiring the skills to leverage data for strategic HR planning. Driven by a passion for continuous improvement, Chris earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) and the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certifications. He has also recently completed the MSHRM program with TAMU-College Station. This pursuit of knowledge demonstrates his commitment to staying at the forefront of HR best practices.

Global CDO, consultant, speaker and author Janet M. Stovall helps business dismantle systemic inequity to leverage the power of diversity.  Global Head of DEI at NeuroLeadership Institute, and founder of DEI consultancy, Pragmatic Diversity, Janet specializes in shaping and implementing realistic DEI visions and strategies that drive change and build culture. Collectively, her three TED talks challenging business to get serious about inclusion have nearly 3 million views, and she is co-author of Amazon bestseller, The Conscious Communicator: The Fine Art of Not Saying Stupid Sh*t.

Liz comes from a physician recruitment background, most recently as a physician and provider recruitment professional at Berkshire Health Systems in Pittsfield, MA. As Director of Professional Development and Solutions at AAPPR Liz partners with recruitment professionals to develop tools and resources to advance the profession.  She is an experienced facilitator and public speaker and enjoys writing articles and blog posts on trends in physician and provider recruitment.

Liz holds a BA in Russian and Eastern European Studies from Union College in Schenectady, NY, and an MFA in Theatrical Management and Producing from Columbia University in New York, NY