Concurrent Session

Cory Schneider (he/him) is an accomplished Leader with proven track record of leading strategy and programming (both talent and business-related) for culture transformations - boosting workplace citizenship and creating more equitable and human-centered workplaces. Cory approaches DEIB holistically, prioritizing health, safety and workplace environment to create inclusive and supportive workplace cultures of belonging. Cory is an expert in DEI operating model design and operations, DEI assessment, data analytics and reporting, organizational performance, corporate communications and change management, and talent management. Cory is proficient in design and implementation of innovative solutions leveraging emerging technologies and cultivating diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces. He is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®), Certified Conflict Resolution Mediator, Certified Hogan Assessment Administrator, and Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMFT).

Keri Mesropov is the Founder of Spring, a talent development agency launching young careerists and cultivating multi-generational workforces. Data, research and results driven in its practice, Spring exists to help organizations optimize the generational diversity of their teams toward not-yet imagined future success. Delivering culture assessments and consulting, one-on-one advisories and skill-building workshops, Spring’s work today spans the business landscape of corporations, hospitality, entertainment and social non-profits.

Prior to launching Spring, Keri was the Chief Talent Officer for TRG Arts, one of the world’s most influential consulting firms dedicated to the performing arts. She was previously the firm’s Vice President of Client Service, leading consulting, database management and business intelligence services for theater, ballet, orchestral and Broadway producing organizations.

Keri was a Professional in Residence at her alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications’ new Experience Lab. She serves on the boards of the Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network and The Dance Archive at the University of Denver. In 2022 she received the prestigious Woman of Courage, Character and Commitment award from UNL’s Women’s Center.

With nearly a decade of HR experience, Chelsey has excelled in multiple HR functions, focusing on training, leadership, and people operations. Currently serving as the VP of HR in the tech industry, she brings her expertise across the education, agriculture, and tech industries. As an executive and team coach, she uses her platform as a public speaker to champion the causes of working parents. Her deep commitment to leadership development drives her continuous pursuit of innovative strategies for organizational success.

Shari Collins: The Dot Connector

With a career spanning education, training, HR, and DEI, Shari is a dynamic force as a consultant.

Highlights include:

• Current Board Service on the HR-Nebraska State Council and the Human Resource Association of the Midlands.
• Facilitating courses for educators through the National Education Association.
• Authoring a chapter on Inclusion for the Parent Ready Book Series, sponsored by the Chief Council of State School Officers.
• Recognized as a 2024 Marquis Who's Who biographical listing member.
• Serving on the Advisory Board for Harvard Business Review.
• National Facilitator for Open Sesame's DEI Club.

In 2024, Shari is expanding her global reach with speaking engagements in San Jose, Costa Rica; Lisbon, Portugal; the University of Cambridge, England; and Galway, Ireland.

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.

Bo Cooper, Partner, Fragomen Bo Cooper is a Partner in Fragomen’s Washington, DC office, leading the Government Strategies and Compliance Group. He serves on the firm’s Executive Committee, where he works to set Fragomen’s strategic vision and philosophy, manage its worldwide operations, and ensure it remains progressive, agile, efficient, innovative, and consistent across all its jurisdictions. He provides strategic immigration advice to a diverse clientele, including corporations, nonprofits, hospitals, universities, and media outlets. Bo has extensive experience in navigating complex immigration challenges, interacting with Congress, executive agencies, and consulates, and representing clients in federal audits and investigations.  

 Previously, Bo was General Counsel of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from 1999 to 2003, directing a legal program of 700 attorneys. He advised top U.S. officials on immigration law and has significant federal litigation experience as a former trial attorney in the Department of Justice. Bo has frequently testified before Congress and appeared in various media outlets such as PBS Newshour, Sixty Minutes, and CNN. He participated in negotiating international immigration agreements and served as a U.S. delegate to international organizations.  

Bo has taught immigration, national security and related courses at the University of Michigan, Georgetown and American University law schools, and he currently teaches asylum law as a member of the adjunct faculty at Tulane Law School. He has an extensive pro bono practice and has contributed as amicus in key Supreme Court cases, served as an expert witness in federal litigation, and advised the Department of Homeland Security. He is also on the Advisory Board of the Migration Policy Institute. Bo received his J.D. from Tulane Law School and his B.A. from Tulane University. 

Barbara Leen serves as a Senior Corporate Counsel with Microsoft’s U.S. Immigration group.  She provides legal advice to Microsoft’s employees and business teams and provides legal and policy advice on a range of immigration matters.  In addition to her direct legal work, she advocates for legislative and policy reforms to improve the immigration system. Prior to joining Microsoft, Barbara worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee where her work focused on immigration policy, legal operations, and litigation.  She attended the University of Connecticut School of Law and the George Washington University.