Virtual Pass

Eden-Renee Hayes
CEO and Owner
Pluralism Solutions, LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

Eden-Reneé Hayes (aka Dr. E) is a DEI strategist and executive coach with 15 years of experience driving genuine inclusion and addressing DEI challenges. As CEO of Pluralism Solutions, she guides organizations to enhance equity in hiring, boost retention, and tackle unconscious bias that hinders business success. Dr. E is a respected expert on bias, intersectionality, and cultural competency, with research showcased at major conferences and published in key academic outlets. Committed to community impact, she mentors emerging leaders and serves on nonprofit boards. Dr. E holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. from Tulane University.

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - 2:15pm to 3:15pm
Miguel Joey Aviles
Personal Pronouns
He/Him/Él
Chief Belonging Officer
MJA & CO, LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

Miguel is the Chief Belonging Officer of MJA & CO, a Minority-owned consulting firm helping leaders leverage DEI as a catalyst to improve recruitment, engagement, and retention.  Recognized as a LinkedIn's Top Voice in Racial Equity, Top 15 Champion of Diversity by Diversity Global Magazine, a Top 100 Executive by Diversity MBA Magazine, and featured as an Inclusion Innovator by SHRM.

Miguel served as the first civilian Chief of D&I in the history of the US Coast Guard.  He started his career as diversity recruiter and for over a decade held several leadership positions in 3 major Federal Departments. Miguel is a TEDx speaker, featured at the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and Telemundo.

 You can learn more about him by visiting www.migueljoeyaviles.com

SESSIONS:
Martinus Evans
Founder
Slow AF Run Club
Connect Online with this Speaker

Martinus Evans is a dynamic and sought-after speaker, inspiring audiences of all sizes with his incredible journey of resilience and determination. As an 8-time marathoner who defied the odds and founded the Slow AF Run Club, Martinus empowers others to embrace their personal journeys, no matter their pace or size. His best-selling book, Slow AF Run Club, has sold over 25,000 copies. Named Changemaker of the Year by Well+Good and Outsider of the Year by Outside Magazine, Martinus is a trusted voice on resilience and personal transformation. Martinus has been featured in over 250 media outlets including ABC, CNN, ESPN, FOX, TIME, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. Connect with Martinus on social media: @MartinusEvans.
 

SESSIONS:
Shirley Davis, SHRM-SCP
President and CEO
SDS Global Enterprises, Inc.
Connect Online with this Speaker

Dr. Shirley Davis, CSP, President of SDS Global Enterprises, a global workforce solutions firm, is an award-winning Human Resources expert, with over 30 years of business experience in a variety of senior executive roles for several Fortune 100 companies, as well as her last role of Vice President of Global Diversity and Inclusion for the Society for Human Resource Management. She’s also a best-selling author of 5 books, serves on the National Speakers Association and the NSA Foundation Boards, and the Make A Wish Foundation Board. She is a popular facilitator for eight LinkedIn Learning leadership courses.

 

 

SESSIONS:
Leah Chevalier Truscott
Director - Inclusion and Belonging
McKesson
Connect Online with this Speaker

Leah is an internal Inclusion and Belonging consultant and has held several roles in HR and Talent Management.  She has a personal mission to coach others to reach their highest potential, bring their best selves to the workplace and help leaders develop the capabilities of their teams. 

Her background has spanned several industries and both large and small companies. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Texas A&M University and a post-Graduate certification from Georgetown University. 

Outside of work, Leah actively volunteers, is an avid runner and enjoys time with family.

SESSIONS:
Donna Bungard
Sr. Accessibility Program Manager Marketing
Indeed
Connect Online with this Speaker

Donna Bungard, a strategic force, integrates disability inclusion into Indeed’s brand DNA, prioritizing accessibility and belonging. Her work focuses on dismantling systemic barriers with partnerships and processes that embed inclusion deeply within the company’s culture.

 

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Dr. Brittany Boone
Senior Consultant
VallotKarp Consulting
Connect Online with this Speaker

Dr. Brittany Boone is an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist and experienced diversity and inclusion professional . Prior to transitioning into the D&I space full-time, Dr. Boone worked in the insurance industry and spent several years facilitating diversity and inclusion (D&I) trainings and discussions with Farmers Insurance. For the last several years Brittany has worked as a diversity and inclusion consultant, where she works with clients in the beauty industry, entertainment industry, law firms, financial services sector, museums, and a host of other organization types both in the U.S. and abroad, to design, facilitate and deliver diversity & inclusion trainings, review on-set wardrobe and footage, train production teams and on-air talent, conduct culture assessments, and assist clients with the overall implementation of D&I strategic plans and goals.

 Brittany holds a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Missouri-Columbia, an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Avila University in Kansas City, and a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a specialization in organization development and social change from Walden University.

SESSIONS:
Diego Carvajal
Senior Consultant
VallotKarp Consulting
Connect Online with this Speaker

Diego Carvajal is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) Educator and Senior Consultant with VallotKarp Consulting. He works with global corporations, law firms, and museums in developing multi-year strategic DEI plans, global culture assessments, and educational seminars. He also works on-set and in consultation with TV shows including America's Got Talent, Project Runway, and the Real Housewives franchises.  His clients include NBC Universal, MGM Studios, Sidley Austin LLP, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Bacardi Limited.

He began his career working as an associate for Cadwalader Wickersham and Taft and then as a senior associate with Hogan Lovells, where he represented sovereign countries and financial institutions on a broad range of international finance transactions in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. He also worked as associate general counsel of Sterling National Bank.    

Diego holds a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a B.A. from New York University. He also proudly serves on the Lideres board of LatinoJustice, the country's foremost civil rights organization for Latinos.  

SESSIONS:
Megan Taylor
Business Development & Finance Lead
Center for Parental Leave Leadership
Connect Online with this Speaker

Megan Taylor is a seasoned finance and strategic planning expert, a founder, and a certified RETAINTM parental leave coach. With rich experience across the healthcare, professional services and media industries, she has transformed financial planning and analysis capabilities, architected innovative strategic planning processes, built businesses from the ground-up and significantly improved organizational efficiency. She is skilled in leading teams, working cross functionally and partnering with executive leadership. During her 10+ years in the healthcare sector, Megan pioneered several resources for working mothers and parents at her Fortune 500 employer’s world headquarters. She founded her own coaching and consulting company, has served dozens of clients, and specializes in elevating leadership performance and solving complex problems. Megan is a part of the core leadership team at the Center for Parental Leave Leadership where she serves as Business Development and Finance Lead. She holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and has completed over 300 hours of leadership development training.

SESSIONS:
Helen Higginbotham, Esq., MBA
Founder
When Black Women Gather, LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

Helen Higginbotham, Esq. is an attorney and an MBA with leadership experience in labor and employment, human resources and corporate administration. Her CV includes Chief of People, Inclusion, and Culture, Director of Affirmative Action & EEO, Consultant/Advisor, Labor Relations, Professor, Writer, Social Worker, Union Steward, and Employee.

Ms. Higginbotham is founder of When Black Women Gather, LLC, an organization vested in providing safe places for Black women to engage one another and essential others in necessary, sometimes “difficult”, conversations such as Working While Black.  

Ms. Higginbotham is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law, Howard University, and Rowan University.

 

SESSIONS:
Stacie Jones
CEO
Clarivate Coaching & Consulting
Connect Online with this Speaker

As CEO of Clarivate Coaching and Consulting, Dr. Jones challenges individuals and organizations to unlock their untapped potential. With deep experience creating inclusive environments, she specializes in developing data-driven strategies designed to mature diversity programs and yield measurable results. An experienced coach and facilitator, Dr. Jones delivers transformative coaching, workshops, and keynotes that foster personal growth and organizational innovation; her groundbreaking research on the visibility experiences of women executives of color positions her as a leading voice in the field. Dr. Jones balances her commitment to equity and inclusivity with her dedication to her husband, twin sons, and personal well-being.

SESSIONS:
Tara Skinner
Director of HRIS
Gables Residential Services
Connect Online with this Speaker

Tara Skinner is a seasoned HR professional with over 30 years of extensive experience in human resources, payroll, and HRIS across diverse industries. Her robust expertise encompasses not only the technical and operational aspects of HR but also strategic leadership in these fields. Tara is particularly passionate about fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces, which is evident through her co-leadership of her organization's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program. Her commitment to DEI initiatives underscores her dedication to creating a supportive and thriving work environment for all employees. Tara's wealth of knowledge and her proactive approach to integrating HR best practices make her a respected and influential voice in the HR community. As part of Working While Black, she works to put a spotlight on issues that affect all Black employees in the US, advocating for fairness, representation, and systemic change.

SESSIONS:
Michelle Burgess, MBA
Founder and CEO
Just Reset It, LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

Michelle Burgess, MBA is the founder and CEO of Just Reset It, LLC. She helps organizations to promote inclusive cultures while delivering a people strategy not just as a business imperative, but to ensure the best outcomes throughout the employee lifecycle. Michelle's unique background and mix of workplace leadership experiences (technology, bottling and beverage, manufacturing, healthcare administration, non-profit, education, early childhood, and retail) equip her to provide insight, with engaging, practical, and immediately applicable transformation solutions to real-world situations, for organizations and even individuals seeking direction. 

SESSIONS:
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Tara Davis-Woodhall
Olympic Gold Medalist
Connect Online with this Speaker

Tara Davis-Woodhall is the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist in the long jump and has remained undefeated for the past two years. She is a two-time Olympian, ranked #1 in the world, and has claimed the titles of 2024 World Champion, 2023 and 2024 US National Champion. Known as “America’s Cowgirl”, Tara’s iconic cowboy hats, boots, and infectious personality have made her a fan favorite both on and off the field. She is also the assistant track coach at Kansas State. As a former NCAA Division 1 athlete at the University of Texas, Tara became a four-time All-American, shattered two NCAA records, and earned the title of double-record breaker in the same week.

SESSIONS:
Hunter Woodhall
Paralympian and 2024 Gold Medalist
Connect Online with this Speaker

Hunter Woodhall is a three-time Paralympian and 2024 Gold Medalist, redefining what it means to be an athlete and entrepreneur. Hunter has won 5x Paralympic Medals and holds the American record for the 100m and 400m (T62). Born with fibular hemimelia, Hunter had both legs amputated below the knees at 11 months old. Defying all odds, he became the first double amputee to earn an NCAA Division 1 scholarship, competing for the University of Arkansas and becoming a four-time All-American.

SESSIONS:
Moderator: 
Emily M. Dickens, J.D.
Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary
SHRM
Connect Online with this Speaker

Emily M. Dickens, J.D., serves as SHRM Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary. She is the executive responsible for coordinating staff to implement the CEO's vision, serving as corporate secretary for the SHRM Board and subsidiary boards, as well as managing external partnerships and providing oversight for the Government Affairs division.

Dickens is an attorney with significant and progressive experience in government, higher education and the non-profit sector. She has served as a member of the leadership team at the University of North Carolina system, the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.  Her prior roles include general counsel, chief relationship officer, senior vice president, vice president for public policy and assistant vice president for federal relations.  Dickens has also worked at Duke University and Fayetteville State University in administrative and external affairs roles. 

Emily is actively engaged in board service. She formerly served on the  Fayetteville/Cumberland (NC)  Chamber  of  Commerce  (Secretary  of  the  Board),  the Cumberland County Workforce Development Board, the  North  Carolina  Partnership  for  Defense  Innovation Board, and the Educational Advancement Foundation. She is currently a member of the Advisory Council of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the Advisory Board of the College of Arts and Sciences at North Carolina Central University, and chairs the International HBCU Task Force for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

She is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and North Carolina Central University School of Law. 

 

SESSIONS:
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 9:00am to 10:00am