Advanced (Elevating I&D)

Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, a US Army veteran, is the Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA), overseeing services for nearly 300,000 veterans. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of the Oregon Youth Authority and in various state government executive roles including Director of Equity and Racial Justice in the office of former Governor Kate Brown. With a doctorate in Business Administration, she’s a renowned speaker and author on leadership, equity, and racial justice, lecturing at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University. Dr. Daniels, has held certifications in EEO law, and is dedicated to equity, drawing from her military and familial ties to the Army.

Dr. Sean Wall-Carty holds a PhD in Human Resources Management from North Central University. He also earned an MBA in Human Resources Management, a bachelor’s degree in business management, and an associate degree in business all from the University of Phoenix. His prior experience includes graduate level college teaching, leadership seminars, training classes, and consulting. His corporate experience includes a blend of supporting the human resources functions for profit retail businesses, children focused non-profit missions, and local government leadership. During his off-time Dr. Wall-Carty supports his town as Town Councilman, Police Commissioner, and recently served as Deputy Town Supervisor for two years. Additionally, he completed his service as Vice President of his town’s School Board after 6 years and is one of the Commissioners for the County Division of Human Rights. His personal mission is to provide guidance and support in every interaction with optimism and clarity for positive outcomes.

Cornell focuses on expanding equity and inclusion strategies and policies across The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) and its member companies. Cornell leads the strategy that positions CEWD to be a world class, benchmark company for sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion and align these values with the enterprise’s business objectives. Cornell oversees the implementation of initiatives focused on change efforts to ensure the development of more diverse, equitable, and inclusive energy workplaces. CEWD’s commitment to advancing DEI is rooted in the belief that diversity of experience, backgrounds, and perspectives leads to better outcomes for our members, employees, and communities we serve. Cornell is responsible for the creation and implementation of CEWD’s internal and external diversity, equity, and inclusion global strategy and initiatives as well as expanding the Urban Energy Jobs Program, a joint initiative between The National Urban League and CEWD to increase diversity in the industry’s workforce.

Prior to joining CEWD, Cornell was the Head of DEI where he was instrumental in the growth of the DEI programs and initiatives for Centuri Group, Inc. While with Centuri, Cornell successfully launched programs that contributed to a sustainable more inclusive workforce, oversaw ERG initiatives and the DEI Council for the enterprise, and was a member of various councils that focused on industry diversification.

Cornell is also very passionate about philanthropy and grass root relationships. Powered by this passion, he currently serves on the board for KIPP DC, The L.E.A.D. Fund and development committee for The Appellate Project making a difference in the lives of tomorrow’s leaders!

Myranda Whitesides is a Human Capital Analyst and Professional Development Coach for the Department of Interior’s Shared Services Center, the Interior Business Center (IBC). She provides training and coaching in Crucial Conversations, Gallup Strengths, Taking Flight with DISC, and Speed of Trust, in addition to running IBC’s Mentoring and Job Shadowing programs. Outside of her day job, she volunteers for Mile High SHRM as their Certification Manager. She also teaches a high-intensity dance fitness class called Reb3l Groove, which allows her to literally shake off the day! Lastly, she enjoys playing acoustic guitar and singing at local breweries around Denver.

Buffy Olson is a 200-hour yoga instructor and holds certifications in Hatha, Meditation, Chair, and Gentle yoga. She opened a Sole proprietorship in January of 2021 and has guided weekly private/group yoga sessions. Buffy is a certified kickboxing instructor through 9round Cardio Kickboxing studios and is a certified nutrition coach through NASM.

​Buffy Olson holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in development psychology and Mental and Public Health with an emphasis in Administration she earned living in Montana where she worked for several years. Buffy’s goals include earning her 500–hour yoga license and expanding into holistic health.

Buffy Olson is a 200-hour yoga instructor and holds certifications in Hatha, Meditation, Chair, and Gentle yoga. She opened a Sole proprietorship in January of 2021 and has guided weekly private/group yoga sessions. Buffy is a certified kickboxing instructor through 9round Cardio Kickboxing studios and is a certified nutrition coach through NASM.

​Buffy Olson holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in development psychology and Mental and Public Health with an emphasis in Administration she earned living in Montana where she worked for several years. Buffy’s goals include earning her 500–hour yoga license and expanding into holistic health.

Laura Cave is an early-stage marketing leader with a passion for healthcare. As a member of the executive leadership team at Paytient, she is focused on bringing healthcare solutions to market that ensure members have equitable access to affordable care. After several years in marketing roles with brands like The Knot and AOL, Laura found her purpose in healthcare after taking a role with Oscar Health in 2014. From there she's been involved in early stage growth of K Health, Ansel Health, and now Paytient, which she joined in 2022. She holds an M.A. from New York University, and a B.A. from the University of Southern California. A native Californian, Laura spent 15 years in New York City. She now calls Columbia, Missouri home.

Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award winning broadcaster, keynote speaker and author. Having spent more than three decades in sports television, Anderson has covered many of sport's biggest events including six Olympic Games, golf's majors, NBA and Major League Baseball playoffs, heavyweight title fights and the Super Bowl. She has been recognized nationally for her journalism and leadership in the advancement of sport. Anne Marie’s book, Cultivating Audacity - How to Dismantle Doubt and Take Bold Risks, challenges readers to recalibrate their relationship with fear and explore life free of the barriers that stand between you and the life you want to lead. As a speaker, Anderson is known for delivering keynotes that are alternately funny and touching, often drawing upon her role as a parent to connect with the audience through the power of storytelling. 
 

Shelly is a CHRP, MBA, CPA, and certified psychological H&S advisor with executive-level experience.  Shelly leverages her professional expertise and life experience, combined with her passion as a speaker, facilitator, and consultant to have a positive and meaningful impact on organizations and their people so that they can thrive.

Shelly co-founded Navigation Consulting & Training, to support and promote healthy work environments as a business imperative for organizational success through strategic HR consulting, training and development, and workplace harassment investigations.  Away from work Shelly enjoys sailing, squash, and random acts of kindness.

Ashley Miller is the Director of Operations for CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity. Ashley most recently served as SHRM’s Director of Content Strategy, responsible for leading the function through an audience-centric, integrated-marketing-minded transformation. Before this, Ashley worked in SHRM research, translating research to insights, building employee- and business-focused resources and programs, and launching SHRM’s first workplace innovation lab. She then led the team responsible for strategic development and execution of business partnerships. Before joining SHRM, Ashley was a human capital and workforce consultant for public, private, and government sector organizations to, build competency models, conducting job analyses, designing and validating selection systems and assessments, and executing change management initiatives. She holds a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology.