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Virtual Workshop: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategies for Business Success

June 8, 2021, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. EDT 

11-11:10 a.m. EDT

Opening Keynote: The State of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Channel

Speaker: Kelly Danziger GM, Informa Tech Channels

In this session, hear about the key trends that every channel leader needs to know when it comes to creating high-performance teams. Gain an understanding of the unique business challenges facing every senior leader when crafting and executing DE&I strategies. While there is a plethora of generic research on DE&I, this session will disclose channel-specific data, details and actionable information.

11:10-11:40 a.m. EDT

Executive Panel: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategies for Success

Moderator: Vennard Wright, President, Wave Welcome
Panelists:
Phillip Walker, Customer Advocate CEO, Network Solutions Provider;
Jason Pryce, Channel Development Manager, Datto;
Mayka Rosales-Peterson, Senior Manager, Managing Partner Program, AppSmart

A panel of experts will help attendees understand how to design strategies for diversifying their management team and workforce to produce market-beating results. Panelists will share best practices, personal insight and case studies based on their experiences building their careers, teams and organizations. Attendees will hear insight on common mistakes to avoid, how to invest in employees for the future and how to bolster recruitment efforts. Come away with sharpened DE&I management skills no matter what level of your career or whether you an individual contributor or responsible for managing many individuals.

11:50 a.m-12:10 p.m. EDT

Giving Back & Mentoring: Causes Worth Your Time 

Moderator: Dany Bouchedid, Founder & CEO, COLOTRAQ
Speakers: Raquel Wiley, Sr. Channel Marketing Manager, Channel Partner Program, TPx
Mobolaji Sokunbi, Head of Strategic Partnerships, North America Small Business, Dell Technologies

Reginald Scales, Executive Vice President of Sales and Engineering, Vonage Application Group

Many leaders in the tech industry want to help diverse individuals in their organizations and networks succeed and build lucrative careers. In this session, hear perspectives on how to give back and mentor others while balancing your needs and career. Panelists will discuss their efforts and passion for giving back, the lessons they have learned along the way and the impact they have had on others. Attendees will gain insight into selecting a mentor and developing that relationship so that they can give back at a later point in their career. 

12:10-12:40 p.m. EDT

How to Build Inclusive Teams

Speaker: Diana "Di" Machado Ciruolo, Head of Inclusion, Jambb

The world is changing and with it the way business leaders measure success when it comes to their strategy teams and the entire organization. In this session, DEI&B expert Di Ciruolo will discuss what leaders and aspiring leaders should know to be effective allies and advocates for their employees and peers. In this interactive talk, attendees will gain insight into the business case and existing and emerging science on DEI&B including action items for first year DEI&B programs. All attendees are encouraged to bring questions that Ciruolo can address

12:50-1:20 p.m. EDT

A Call to Action: Being an Ally

Speaker: Gary P. Cormier, Senior Director, FAS HR Consulting, Harvard University

In this session, attendees will hear about the importance of becoming an ally to those inside and outside their organization who might welcome support and guidance to succeed. It’s about the need to understand how to become a trusted force for good. Being a great ally is more than being sympathetic toward underrepresented communities who may experience discrimination. It’s more than believing in equality. An ally is someone willing to act with and for others in pursuit of ending oppression and promoting equality. The session, delivered by a former executive at Lotus/IBM and BrassRing who understands the tech channel, will include important steps anyone can take to be a better ally toward those who would welcome it.

1:20-2:20 p.m. EDT

From DE&I Awareness to Action: It’s One Step — Take It!

Moderator: Michelle McBain, VP Global Channel & Digital Strategy, JS Group
Speakers: Michelle Witherspoon, Chief of People, Diversity & Operations, Cisco
Modupe Congleton, Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, AWS
Gavriella Schuster, Corporate VP, Commercial Partner, Microsoft
Christa Grant, Asst. Dean Intercultural Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer for Student Affairs, Union College
Yvette Stelle, Director of Member Communities, DEI, CompTIA

The benefits of implementing diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives in the workplace are wide-ranging, from attracting the most qualified employees and creating a happy workforce with job satisfaction to fostering innovation and achieving greater financial success. It’s been proven that companies with the highest rates of DE&I are the ones that succeed. So why do some companies balk when it comes to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion strategies that could help the organization accelerate and succeed?

2:20-2:30 p.m. EDT

DE&I Closing Remarks: Lessons Learned Along The Way


Speaker: Linda Blackerby, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Informa

As the chief diversity and inclusion officer for Informa, Linda Blackerby will share her unique approach to steering a global events, media, marketing and research company’s diversity strategy. Blackerby will share views shaped by years as a senior business leader for such organizations as Citeline, Decision Resources and Johnson & Johnson among others. Today she is applying her business experience to helping a global player in technology and many other industries accelerate innovation and develop stellar business results with a sound DE&I strategy.

Thanks to our workshop sponsors! 100% of the pledges provided by these sponsors support DE&I initiatives.

Dell Technologies logo

Lumen logo

Granite logo
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Sponsors

The sponsors may contact me directly about industry news, products, services and events that may be of interest to me subject to their privacy policy. The sponsors are:

  • Lumen
  • Granite