7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.   Conference Registration

**6 SHRM continuing education credits are available for attending the conference.

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​8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.   Corporate Exhibits

Please visit the exhibit booths and meet our sponsors.

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​8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.   Coach's Corner

Professional coaches from the International Coach Federation – Houston Chapter will be offering complimentary career and life coaching sessions. Sign up at the Registration Desk to take advantage of this exciting opportunity!

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​8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.   Welcome Remarks  

• Cecil Fong – Executive Director, Diversity Summit​
   

• Honorary Co-Chairs:

  • Donna Cole – President and CEO, Cole Chemical​​ and Distributing 

  • Angela Johnson – VP Diversity and Inclusion, Oxy

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​​8:50 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.   Plenary Session A 

 

Love as an Empowerment Strategy

• Mohammad Anwar – President & CEO, Softway and Culture+

• Chris Pitre – VP, Softway and Culture+

• Frank Danna – Director, Softway and Culture+

• Jeff Ma – Director, Softway and Culture+

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Drawing insights from Softway’s upcoming book LOVE AS A CHANGE STRATEGY, this keynote guides attendees through leading change with empathy, courage, and intentionality. It’s about applying human-centric strategies to every aspect of change management, making change personal and impactful.

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​​9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.   Plenary Session B

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Evolution of Workforce Empowerment

• Moderator:

  • ​Dolly Brenneman – President, Soaring to Greatness

• Panelists:

  • David Leebron – President and CEO, Texas 2036

  • Eduardo Nunez – Co-Founder and Co-President, Blue Wave Industries

  • Dr. April Day – President, Women's Business Enterprise Alliance

 

Influential leaders share their past experiences and perspectives on workforce empowerment trends that:

• Brought significant benefits and shifts to their field of expertise.

• Lessons learned where practice can be improved.

• Explore unintended consequences with empowerment practices being eliminated.

• Offer ways to operate that meet challenges to the current environment.

• How/what to prepare for the future workforce that would result in good outcomes for recruitment, retention, profitability, productivity, and business growth, while fostering innovation and creativity.

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10:35 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.    Networking Break

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​11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Concurrent Sessions

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A. Gender Bias: Bridging the Gap in Women's Leadership

• Moderator:

  • Denise Malloy – SVP Chief Belonging Officer, Walmart (retired)

• Panelists:      

  • Julie Ho – Partner, Deloitte

  • Carlesia Wright – Chief Business Equity Officer, Port of Houston

  • Paula Mendoza – CEO Mission Possible

  • Dr. Christine Harrison – Executive Coach​

 

A discussion on where are we and what to do for ourselves and each other. These powerful women are leading the way for others and breaking ground for new thought leadership.​

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B. Leveraging the "5 Voices" to Foster Inclusivity and Connection

• Jim H. Lee – Founder and Coach, B-SPOKE

 

Regardless of your ethnic background, hometown, or personal identity, we all share common traits that have the power to unite us. Instead of focusing on the differences that often divide us, the "5 Voices" framework offers a way to strengthen connections and build bridges across identities. The "5 Voices" system highlights key characteristics that we all possess, some more pronounced than others. By recognizing these shared traits, we can move beyond surface-level challenges and engage more deeply through common values.

 

Understanding the strengths and potential growth areas of each "Voice" also allows us to appreciate differences while fostering personal growth to collaborate more effectively and support one another, especially during challenging times.
 

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12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.   Luncheon​

Recognition of Past Diversity Champions from the Last 25 Years​

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1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.   Concurrent Session

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A. Inclusion Fatigue: Unpacking this Moment and Moving Forward with Courage, Connection & Curiosity

• Pranika Uppal Sinha – Managing Director, Org Development and Culture, Greystone

 

Fatigue around diversity and inclusion is real! Explore the signs/symptoms, root causes, and how to move forward with courage, connection, and curiosity.

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B. The Evolution of Employee Wellness: Driving Positive Culture During Times of Change

• ​Arianne Dowdell – VP Chief Culture and Engagement Officer, Houston Methodist

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The evolution of employee wellness reflects a growing understanding of the diverse fast-evolving needs of the workforce. Initially focused on physical health, wellness programs now encompass mental health, work-life balance, and financial well-being.

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C. An Overview of LGBTQ Issues on the Horizon

• Austin Ruiz – President, Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus

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Learn about policy advances and challenges facing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or LGBTQ+ community in Texas today and on the horizon. Attendees will hear about some of the current needs and concerns of your LGBTQ+ employees and their families. This interactive session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Houston region and beyond.

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 ​2:35 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.   Network Reception & Drawing for Door Prizes