Virtual Pass

Michael Welp, PhD. is a Founder and CEO of WMFDP, FDP Global and Full Partner Leadership. For 25 years, Michael has led pioneering workshops using experiential learning methods to shift mindsets, build leadership skills, and grow change agents to create cultures where everyone thrives. 

Earlier in his career, Michael facilitated interracial team-building with over a dozen South African corporations in his work with Outward Bound. 

Michael is the author of the book, Four Days To Change: 12 Radical Habits to Overcome Bias and Thrive in a Diverse World. His TEDx talk, is entitled White Men: Time to Discover Your Cultural Blind Spots. Michael is also the host of The Insider Outsider Podcast. 

Caz leads RBIJ’s Inclusive Hiring team’s first and second chance projects.  Previously, Caz worked at various nonprofits, including program manager: Vera Institute of Justice’s Redefining Public Safety team, Director of Employment Services: Westhab’s NYC and Westchester County shelter employment programs, and Director of Fathers Count: Family Services of Westchester’s Fatherhood Program. There she received a Citation from Mayor Mike Spano for her contribution to Westchester County and the City of Yonkers and a Certificate of Recognition from the Senate of the State of New York for Exemplary Service to the community. In the UK, Caz worked as a probation officer and a youth social worker. 

Jude Higdon, Ed.D. (any pronouns) serves as the COO for the QSIDE Institute. In this role, Jude develops programs and partners with CBOs to use quantitative methods to eradicate oppression, marginalization, and injustice. Jude holds an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, an Ed.M. in Technology in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and a B.S. in African Politics from Northwestern University. Jude is an avid yogi, horror movie enthusiast, and news junkie. S/he speaks passable Swahili, Spanish, and French, and slays at karaoke.

Christi Venable is an award-winning Business Owner, Organizational Leadership and Culture Change Expert and Speaker. She’s the founder of SMILE Therapy Services, a multi-million-dollar mental health agency that she managed to build from the ground up. 

Over the years SMILE Therapy has developed an arsenal of workshops that speak to the needs of a diverse market and an ever-changing social climate. Some of the most sought-after topics include Leading with Effective Communication, Leveraging your Leadership Style, Mental Health Spot-Checking, Sexual Harassment, Resiliency, Self-Care and Stress Management, The Power of Patience and many more. 

Christi received her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree from George Washington University. Christi Venable is a National Certified Counselor, A Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. 

Francis Joseph Tsai is a Deaf advocate who has been raised in the United States after immigrating from Hong Kong. Growing up in the U.S., Tsai learned about the importance of equity and accessibility for Deaf individuals—values he found lacking in his native Hong Kong.

Now working for Convo Communications, a company dedicated to providing communication services for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Tsai is committed to promoting equal communication access. His advocacy focuses on ensuring that Deaf individuals have the tools, resources, and support needed to navigate a predominantly hearing world. Through his work, Tsai continues to raise awareness about the importance of equity and accessibility for all.

Meet Dr. Drew Fockler, the charismatic captain of the classroom and champion of change! As a University Professor specializing in HR and Leadership studies, Drew doesn't just teach; he ignites a revolution! With a magnetic personality and a knack for making complex concepts come alive, Drew empowers students to become tomorrow's trailblazers. But beyond the textbooks, Drew is a Change Champion extraordinaire, leading the charge for innovation and progress. Whether spearheading diversity initiatives or challenging traditional paradigms, Drew is at the forefront of reshaping the future of work. With passion as their compass and knowledge as their weapon, Dr. Drew Fockler is paving the way to a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow!

Vitale Buford Hardin, CEO of Vitale & Company, is a leading expert on perfectionism's impact on corporate culture and individual performance. She works with a wide range of organizations, helping leaders overcome perfectionism and cultivate authenticity, resilience, and effective communication. A pioneer of thought leadership, Vitale has led studies revealing that 85% of workplaces foster perfectionism, affecting 86% of leaders. Overcoming her own struggles with perfectionism and addiction, she became a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and iPEC-certified executive coach. With 15 years of corporate experience, she offers custom trainings, strategic advisory, and performance coaching to help her clients thrive. 

Sarah Bettman is the founder of Bettman Consulting Group. She blends organizational culture, leadership, and change principles to support meaningful change for her clients. Sarah’s style is deeply rooted in her values of integrity and authenticity. She brings forward her experiences with passion and humor that ignites engagement and creates traction where there none before. 

Ama Agyapong, also known as 'That Inclusion Lady,' is the CEO of Inclusion Enterprises. She is a Speaker, Master Facilitator, certified EEOC investigator, and talented senior-level consultant with 15 years of progressive leadership experience in human resources, strategic planning, program development, employee engagement, and culture change management experience. With an MBA in Global Management, she has implemented functional diversity and inclusion strategies in partnership with key stakeholders focused on improving the employee experience, leadership development, and profit margins. Ama works with global and domestic Fortune 500 companies, mid-size companies, non-profits, and universities. 

Ama is a DEI subject matter expert passionate about cultural competence, feedback, implicit bias, and workplace equity. She always says, “Either you change the workplace culture, or you become the culture you want to change; it's your choice.”

Doug Stuke, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is the founder of Transform Performance Partners, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to transforming human potential into performance through coaching, training, and HR strategy solutions. His mission is to develop the next generation of HR and business leaders, believing the world needs them now more than ever.

Doug's passion lies in integrating people and business strategies to drive mutual success. He draws from his extensive "scar tissue database" of experiences, accumulated over decades of challenging HR and Business leadership roles across five industries. Additionally, Doug inspires new learners by teaching accredited HR and business curricula at several universities as well seminars for Skillsoft and SHRM.