Falisha Karpati, PhD is an independent Inclusion Consultant based in Montreal, Canada. She uses neuroscience to build engagement in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. Her unique brain-based approach centers on the intersection of cognitive, demographic, and experiential diversity: how we think, who we are, and what we’ve lived.

Falisha holds a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Her work focuses on EDI in scientific and research organizations, and bringing neuroscience-based inclusion strategy to organizations across all sectors. She conducts rigorous EDI assessments, guides action plan development, and facilitates brain-based training.

Mary V. L. Wright leads one of the SHRM Foundation’s four pillars of work: Skill Building - Preparing People for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Workplaces.  A critical part of that effort is leading the implementation of the US DOL funded HR Registered Apprenticeship Program, the first national HR apprenticeship program. As such, she is responsible for all parts of the program – development, marketing, sales, budget and evaluation.  In addition, she leads the Foundation’s work on the role of credentials in achieving an organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals and is an integral part of the team in promoting the inclusion of untapped talent in the workforce.

Ms. Wright has many years of experience connecting the public and private sectors in municipal finance, government affairs, and workforce development as a project leader, facilitator and subject matter expert.

Previously, Ms. Wright was a director at Jobs for the Future (JFF) where she designed and supervised the completion of foundation, government and employer-funded projects on topics including: expanding employability skills, developing apprenticeship and work-based learning strategies, utilizing labor market information to determine educational focus, better hiring and training practices for people with disabilities, improving entry level jobs for the retail sector, determining the correct educational focus for specific geographic areas including the state of Florida and Columbus Ohio, and an in-depth analysis of green infrastructure jobs.

Prior to joining JFF, she served as director at The Conference Board in New York City, driving its work in workforce readiness, business, and education partnerships. She also focused on improving the employment outcomes for people with disabilities through research and convenings. Ms. Wright co-authored or acted as project director on several key Conference Board reports regarding workforce readiness skills, including Are They Really Ready to Work? and The Ill-Prepared Workforce.

She serves on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Work & the Economy and the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation.

Ms. Wright received a Master of Business Administration in public/nonprofit management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs from Connecticut College.

Kristina is the managing principal of HRComputes, a management consulting firm, providing human capital management digital solution strategy and advisory services including DEI strategy and implementation to build more equitable and inclusive organizations.

Her executive business management experience spans the corporate and not for profit worlds. She is a professor for the Bard MBA in Sustainability. She is the author of Driving Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion published by Taylor & Francis.

She is a diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leader and frequent speaker. She has received numerous awards for her JEDI work.

Fiona brings 25 years of experience conducting research and providing solutions to organizations with specific expertise in employee engagement, employee relations, diversity, and people analytics.  She is a sought after speaker and well known for her ability to translate complex data into easy-to-understand insights that promote action and can improve business performance. 

Her women-owned business, Spring International provides custom research and analytics for Fortune 500 companies across the United States and internationally. She is the author of numerous articles on people analytics, change management and engagement. Fiona’s Ph.D. is in Human Resource Management from the University of Bristol and was an Honorary Research Fellow for the University of Wolverhampton (U.K.).  In the USA, she has been an adjunct professor at Villanova & Temple University and is involved with leading HR think tank organizations such as the Wharton Research Advisory Group, University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Society for People and Strategy HCA Group.  She currently sits on the Diversity Committee for NAWBO and the Board of POWER, a women’s leadership development association. She is also is a mum of two teenagers!