Concurrent Session

Chris Motley is the Founder & CEO of Mentor Spaces, a mentorship technology platform designed to facilitate skills-based mentorship opportunities. This platform assists companies in engaging employees and helps underrepresented students secure internships and jobs. Mentor Spaces boasts a clientele that includes companies such as T-Mobile, American Family Insurance, and UBS, along with national nonprofits such as INROADS and the National Society of Black Engineers.

Before establishing Mentor Spaces, Chris was an Executive Vice President at 1888 Mills, a global textile manufacturer. In this role, he led the company's expansion into Ghana, Africa, and was instrumental in building its Apparel Division. Chris began his professional journey at Goldman Sachs, where he worked as a trader dealing with Commodities and Interest Rate Products.

Chris holds a B.A. in History from Columbia University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Kellogg School of Management.

Ben Greene is a transgender advocate and educator who has spoken internationally on topics surrounding transgender inclusion. After coming out at 15 in a small town, Ben has devoted his career to spreading empathy, education, and storytelling around the trans experience, and has spoken for companies, hospitals, schools, religious organizations, and government entities sharing what it means to be transgender and how to show up as an ally. He is a fierce advocate for transgender youth, regularly speaking in their defense at the Missouri State Capitol, and is the author of the book "My Child is Trans, Now What? A Joy Centered Approach to Support". He is passionate about educating others from a place of compassion—no matter where they’re starting from. 

Louis Chesney is the Program Manager of Neurodiversity for RethinkCare, overseeing the day-to-day operations and expansion of RethinkCare’s neurodiversity course content and consultation approach. Before joining RethinkCare, Louis championed and led a hiring program for autistic adults at a global technology company. He continually aims to make a positive impact on those who are underserved. As an individual who experienced selective mutism first-hand, Louis inspires and actively contributes to the current work. He co-authored “ECHO: A Vocal Language Program for Easing Anxiety in Conversation,” a Plural Publishing book designed to help older children and teens needing social communication support.

"Raised in Las Vegas' Historic Westside with roots in African, Creole, and Indigenous heritage, Dr. Kevin Wright is a Senior Racial Equity Facilitator and Consultant. Kevin is responsible for raising consciousness, building skills and developing strategies to socialize and operationalize equity efforts throughout organizations. Wright's commitment to racial justice, equity, and inclusion is rooted in his approach with shifting cultures and processes one system at a time to advocate for individuals with historically marginalized identities. A TRIO alum and award-winning educator, Dr. Wright has impacted over 100,000 learners globally."

Sertrice Shipley is the Founder of Plan to Action, a DEI consulting firm and the co-author of Inclusalytics. Prior to Plan To Action, she made significant contributions as Co-Owner & Chief Consulting Officer of Mattingly Solutions. Her dynamic consulting has benefited clients like NAWBO, Koppers, and American Humane, delivering DEI solutions ranging from assessment to strategic planning. Sertrice has been invited to speak at prominent events like SHRM, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and various city Chamber events. She is also deeply committed to community service and holds various board positions. Sertrice is located in Raleigh, NC with her husband Abraham and dog Winston.

Cristina Jimenez is a senior partner and global head of RHR Culture of Belonging, playing a key role in the firm’s cultural transformation. She advises C-suite leaders on scaling organizations, building high-performing teams, and fostering innovative cultures. Cristina is skilled at guiding leaders through complex political and business challenges, focusing on purpose and belonging as drivers of success. With a background in talent management, she partnered with executives to create purpose-driven cultures and minimize workplace toxicity. Cristina holds a bachelor's in psychology from Northeastern University and dual master's degrees in sociology and business research from Stanford University and Business School.

Rahil Siddiqui is a global Manufacturing HR leader with more than 12 years’ experience in HR Business Partnering, Factory Ops, HRIS, and M&A roles. After receiving his Masters in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, Rahil continued his career at Fortune 500 companies such as TE Connectivity and GE. Wilya’s origin story began after reading a CNN article about the great resignation; Rahil founded Wilya on the premise that manufacturing companies can provide more flexibility to their frontline factory workers with the right (software) tools while increasing retention, reducing costs, and attracting new talent pools into the industry.

Claire is a public health professional working on the National Safety Council’s workplace wellbeing initiatives. Claire is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating initiatives, such as addressing workplace substance misuse and fatigue. As a Certified Health Education Specialist, Claire also focuses on creating tools to aid employers in addressing substance misuse and other forms of wellbeing safety risk in the workplace. Claire holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in policy and management from the University of Georgia, where she also completed her undergraduate degree in health promotion and behavior.