2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit

The Power of Belonging

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Turner Hall Ballroom | 1040 N. Vel R Phillips Avenue | Milwaukee, WI 53203

Gear up for a morning of networking & learning in a community of professionals who are passionate about creating inclusive cultures.

Bring your HR, DEI and management teams!
$100 Individual Registration - Includes continental breakfast & lunch

The Region of Choice DEI Summit is back for its second year, convening more than 300 of the Milwaukee region's:

CEOs
Top executives

DEI practitioners
Employee engagement professionals

Uncover the latest workplace inclusion research and gain practical insights into DEI practices during our dynamic half-day session.

Join renowned national and local leaders as they share practical examples of achieving and sustaining success in DEI and community impact initiatives.

Presenting Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors:

Gilbane Building Company
Godfrey & Kahn
Herzing University

Molson Coors Beverage Co.
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
UW Credit Union

AGENDA

8 AM - Registration/Networking/Breakfast

9 AM

Welcome

Corry Joe Biddle

VP of Community Affairs, MMAC

Update on MMAC’s Region of Choice Initiative

Andres Gonzalez

VP, Chief Diversity Officer, Froedtert Health

9:15 AM - KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Shaping the Talent Journey for All

Immerse yourself in Mercer's cutting-edge global research to revolutionize the way you perceive talent management. Discover the pivotal strategies employed by leading companies as they evaluate the efficacy and fairness of their talent programs to better promote inclusivity.

Learn how top companies are designing employee experiences - from onboarding to retirement - that develop, advance, reward and activate every person for optimal performance. Learn practical ways to diagnose and improve your employee offerings, identify the risk of inequity in the employee experience, and leverage data and analysis to cultivate workplace experiences that work for everyone.

Shari Chernack
Senior Principal, People Transformation and Strategy, Mercer

Casey Tate Mahoney
Partner, Client Manager & Milwaukee Office Leader, Mercer

RESOURCES

Mercer’s Inside Employee Minds (PDF)
Mercer’s DEI Equity Report (PDF)
Mercer’s Global Talent Trends (PDF)

Featuring an exclusive reading from Hoops, the critically acclaimed theatrical production highlighting the ways that Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, and others of the global majority express identity.

This reading, based on the Milwaukee-based Hoops Project, will set the stage for an interactive discussion about career, workplace inclusion, cultural identity, allyship, and what it means to bring one's whole self to work.

10 AM - PANEL & TABLE DISCUSSION

Bring Your Whole Self to Work

From understanding unconscious bias to changing behavior that makes people feel excluded, this discussion will give an honest, unfiltered insight into the cultural changes our workplaces can make to realize greater inclusion.

Moderator:

Guillermo Gutierrez

Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, ManpowerGroup

Nicole Acosta

Artist in Residence, Pfister Hotel & Founder of the Hoops Project

Ashley Hines

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Advocate Aurora

Cecilia Tenorio

Spanish Project Lead, Broader Impact LLC

Dr. Lynne Woehrle

Associate Professor & Dir. of Peacebuilding Programs, UW-Milwaukee

Tim Cole

VP of Sales, Rivet

A panel of experts will lead this discussion about the importance of creating safe and welcoming workplaces where everyone can show up authentically. They’ll share practical examples of othering and belonging and the impact of both on the growth of our workplaces. From understanding unconscious bias to changing behavior that makes people feel excluded, this discussion will give an honest, unfiltered insight into the cultural changes our workplaces can make to realize greater inclusion.

11:15 AM - PANEL & TABLE DISCUSSION

Diverse Talent Retention Through Community Engagement

Hear how employers can tap into the vibrant tapestry of Milwaukee's cultural offerings to foster an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and connected. This goes a long way in retaining Milwaukee's diverse workforce, but employee engagement doesn’t end there.

Amy Hanneman

Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, Northwestern Mutual

Geraud Blanks

Chief Innovation Officer, Milwaukee Film

Tarik Moody

Program Director, HYFIN & Radio Milwaukee

Chad Bauman

Executive Director, Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Mal Montoya

President & CEO, Milwaukee Artist Resource Network

Melissa Muller

President, Washington Park Neighbors

What often drives diverse talent away from our city is the lack of community connection once the workday is done. Together, we will explore the role that employers can play in helping their employees discover and find belonging in Milwaukee's cultural assets.

Learn from companies that are leveraging cultural assets (festivals, arts, museums, sports and more) – to help their employees feel at home, while supporting institutions that strengthen our community.

Following the discussion, we will have a Cultural Assets Showcase where you’ll have a chance to meet some of these institutions and learn how your company might benefit from their employee engagement programs.

12:30 PM

Networking Lunch

Choose from a selection of delicious food items prepared by local Black and Brown food and beverage companies and restaurants. Stay to connect with summit attendees and enjoy our Cultural Asset Showcase while you network and enjoy your lunch. Or, grab a to-go box and head back to work.