People First: Opportunity and Access

08:00 AM - 08:45 AM ET

Registration & Networking Breakfast

08:45 AM - 09:00 AM ET

Welcome from our Conference Chair

Lori Trawinski, Ph.D., CCDP/AP, CFP, Senior Director, Finance and Employment, AARP Public Policy Institute

09:05 AM - 09:30 AM ET

Conference Board Research: The State of Workforce Opportunity

Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader, The Conference Board

Allan Schweyer, Principal Researcher, Human Capital, The Conference Board

09:35 AM - 10:10 AM ET

After AA—The Legal Landscape & Our Future Path

The shifting legal and regulatory landscape has left companies navigating uncertain terrain when it comes to workforce opportunity, inclusion, and compliance. In the wake of recent legal decisions, new and evolving risks, organizations must rethink their strategies while balancing regulatory requirements, public expectations, and business imperatives. This keynote will provide a clear-eyed assessment of the current legal framework, the challenges ahead, and the pathways forward for businesses committed to fostering opportunity while mitigating risk.

Jenny Yang, Partner, Outten & Golden, Former Chair, EEOC

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM ET

The Great Reset: Impact in the World of Work

Given the social and political climate for DE&I in the US, CDOs need to rethink approaches to be effective. What are the newer competencies, influence skills, and behaviors needed to succeed in this environment? Join us as we discuss the evolution of the practice of diversity and inclusion and reflect on how to recalibrate and innovate going forward. From leveraging data-driven approaches to showcase their positive impacts to implementing transparent communication strategies to address concerns, we discuss how to align workforce opportunity initiatives with broader organizational goals to foster buy-in across all levels.

Eugene Edward Curtain III, Vice President, Talent, Inclusion & Social Responsibility Officer, Marmon Holdings

Singleton Beato, Global EVP, Chief DE&I Officer, McCann Worldgroup

Katie Mooney, Managing Director, Seramount

Khalil Smith, Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement, Akamai Technologies

11:00 AM - 11:20 AM ET

Coffee Break & Networking

11:20 AM - 12:10 PM ET

The Trillion-Dollar Blind Spot: The High Cost of Ignoring Economic Powerhouses

The numbers don’t lie—underrepresented communities wield more than $5 trillion in collective spending power, driving trends, shaping industries, and determining which brands succeed or fade into irrelevance. Yet businesses continue to overlook, undervalue, or misunderstand these consumers, leaving trillions in potential revenue untapped.
We’ll examine the real financial cost of failing to engage these powerful consumer bases using data-backed insights on where businesses are missing the mark, how emerging industries are being shaped by diverse communities, and what it takes to build lasting brand loyalty in an era where authenticity and inclusion drive purchasing decisions.

Eddie Ramos, Independent Director, Board Member, Latino Corporate Directors Association

Julie Zuraw, President & CEO, Invest Ahead

Brian R. Horn, Chief Operating Officer, Disability:IN

Allan Schweyer, Principal Researcher, Human Capital, The Conference Board

12:10 PM - 01:30 PM ET

Lunch

01:30 PM - 02:00 PM ET

Embedding Inclusion: Integrating Workforce Equity into Business & Culture

For inclusion efforts to be sustainable, they must be more than standalone initiatives—they need to be part of the way a company operates. How do organizations embed equity into their business strategy, leadership expectations, and workplace culture? And how should they move beyond programs and policies to ensure that fairness, access, and opportunity are ingrained in everything from decision-making to performance metrics to company values?

Mike Sebring, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Senior Vice President, Citizens Bank

Gregory Macias, Vice President, Internal Initiatives, AARP

Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader, The Conference Board

01:30 PM - 02:00 PM ET

Understanding and Explaining the Global Picture

While US companies are resetting the stage for diversity and inclusion work – DEI as we once knew it thrives in other parts of the world. Navigating these regional differences and explaining them to the US workforce requires diligence and nuance. Join these global experts in discussing some of the distinctions that exist around the world.

Christopher Cardarelli, Executive Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Merck

Candace Osunsade, EVP, Chief People Officer, Catholic Relief Services

Lori Trawinski, Ph.D., CCDP/AP, CFP, Senior Director, Finance and Employment, AARP Public Policy Institute

02:05 PM - 02:35 PM ET

Management Concerns: Scenario Planning

Did you know that Forbes has reported that organizations engaging scenario planning are 25% more likely to achieve their goals? You’ll learn how to implement effective scenario planning strategies, enhancing strategic alignment across initiatives and increasing adaptability to changing demographics and social dynamics.

Sherri Crowley, Chief Culture and Values Officer, HCA Healthcare

02:05 PM - 02:35 PM ET

Expanding Your Influence and Impact: Collaborative Strategies for DEI & HR Leaders

As diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives face increasing headwinds, leaders must mobilize allies and champions across the organization to sustain momentum and build resiliency. This session delivers practical strategies for identifying partners, expanding influence, and fostering cross-functional collaboration like with middle management and key departments like with communications. Learn how to embed this vital work throughout your organization for measurable, sustainable results.

Jonathan Njus, Senior Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Chirlie Felix, Managing Director, FSG

02:35 PM - 02:55 PM ET

Afternoon Break

02:55 PM - 03:25 PM ET

From Measurement to Movement: Implementing Change from Data

You’ve done the surveys, gathered the numbers, and tracked the trends—but how do you turn those insights into lasting change? Too often, data sits in reports without translating into action. This session tackles how to close that gap, using evidence to shape policies, challenge assumptions, and make inclusion a visible, measurable part of business strategy. Learn how to move beyond metrics and ensure that data leads to decisions, not just discussions.

Lisa Armstrong, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Bechtel

Vanessa Viviano, Learning, Diversity & Inclusion Program Specialist, Bechtel

03:30 PM - 03:45 PM ET

Spark Talk: The Myths We Need to Debunk

In this fast-paced talk Siri Chilazi, Harvard researcher and author, will walk through key myths that can hold us back from designing fair processes and structures. Get ready to challenge some traditional thinking that will help you overcome barriers to embedding fairness in organizational practices and creating true systemic change.

Siri Chilazi, Senior Researcher, Women and Public Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School

03:45 PM - 04:10 PM ET

Discussion + Audience Q/A of The Myths We Need to Debunk

Chantée Eldridge, SVP, and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Strada Education Foundation

04:15 PM - 04:45 PM ET

What Does the Future Hold for Inclusion?

We convene industry leaders to share their insights, predictions and expectations for the immediate future, based on their years of experience in the field. Their experience will help you proactively shape your organizations' strategies, ensuring you remain at the forefront of inclusive practices and drive sustainable business growth in an increasingly complex global environment.

Soon Mee Kim, Executive Vice President, Chief Inclusion + Impact Officer, Communications Consultancy Network

Mona Dine, Chief Culture Officer & General Manager of Human Resources, US Steel Corp

Kabir Kumar, Vice President of Inclusive Workforce, The Walt Disney Company

Rita Meyerson, EdD, Principal Researcher, Human Capital, The Conference Board

04:45 PM - 05:00 PM ET

Facilitated Reflection & Day One Recap

05:00 PM - 06:00 PM ET

Networking Reception