SCHEDULE

*Schedule subject to change

CONFERENCE

IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION (live stream)

• Date/Time:
  
  • Monday, September 23, 2024, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm: Conference
  • Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm: Conference
  • Optional: Wednesday, September 25, 2024: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm: ERG Leadership Certificate 

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SCHEDULE 

DAY 1 – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Note to conference attendees: Please refer to your email for the final in-person and virtual conference schedule and virtual links.

8:30 – 9:30 am
Registration, optional continental breakfast and networking

9:30 am
Welcome
Emcee: Richard Mihalic, Allstate

9:45 am
Session 1: The impact of collaborative leadership
Featured speakers; Chris Hendricks, Lightening Strike Entertainment, Asheli Mann-Lofthouse, Cultural Outreach and Racial Equity (CORE) Collective, Creighton Blackwell, Coastal Credit Union
Includes mini table/virtual breakouts

10:55 am
Session 2: How to effect change in an organization and community
Featured speaker: Amber Maynard, Elanco Animal Health

11:35 am
Lunch

12:30 pm
Session 3 Keynote: The State of DEI
Keynote speaker: Philip Polk, National Center for Civil and Human Rights

1:20 pm
Breakout Session 1

•  Room 2A: Breakout A – Strategic Communication: How and where to tell your story; the art of influential leadership
  • Featured speakers: Richard Mihalic, Allstate, Abel Wen, Advance Auto Parts
•  Room 2B: Breakout B – Community Synergy: Strategies for effective community outreach and partnerships
  • Featured speakers: Mac Stephen, GEICO,  Alicea Starr, Veradigm,  David Kinstly, PFLAG; moderated by Melissa Buscher, SPX FLOW
•  Room 1: Breakout C – Strength in Unity: Unlock potential through ERG collaborations; build powerful alliances for collective impact
  • Featured speakers: Joy Hunt, Fresenius Medical Care North America, Erin O’Connor Jones, Benevity, Bobby McNeil, Blacks in Technology, Enrique Perez, Cisco Systems (ThousandEyes); moderated by Justin Gayliard, BASF
•  Room 6: Breakout D – Define, Align, and Shine: ERG purpose, structure, and organization (new and early-stage ERGs)
  • Featured speakers: Calvin Pegus, Ulta Beauty, Kaitlin Vandemark, Hitachi Energy, Rebecca Lee, Duke University Health System, Nathan Kotecki, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC; moderated by Dave Laboy, DEI Leader and Consultant

2:40 pm
Breakout Session 2 – Repeat of Breakout 1 sessions

3:55 pm
Day 1 Closing

4:00 – 4:45 pm
Optional, informal networking

Evening
Dine-arounds
Optional dine-arounds (the conference team will secure small group reservations at various local restaurants; conference attendees will sign-up for reservation spots at the conference; each individual is responsible for covering their own dinner expenses)

CONFERENCE DAY 2 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 

8:30 – 9:20 am
Optional continental breakfast and Idea Think Tank (participants are invited to share a challenge and the group will share solution ideas)
Think Tank Host: Felicia Jones Murrill, Corning Optical Communications

9:30 am
Welcome

9:40 am
Session 4: Allyship and Inclusion
Fireside chat: Jamie Henkle, PFLAG, Julie Kratz, Next Pivot Point

10:25 am
Breakout Session 3

• Room 2A: Breakout A – A Roadmap for Success: Planning for the year ahead and sustaining focus for maximum impact
  • Featured speakers: Shawn Kelley, Toyota, Calvin Pegus, Ulta Beauty, Nathan Kotecki, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC; moderated by Hady Mendez, DEI Leader and Consultant
• Room 2B: Breakout B – Unlocking Insight: Mastering evaluation and metrics; strategies for gathering and leveraging data effectively
  • Featured speaker: Maceo Owens, The ERG Movement
• Room 1: Breakout C – Strengthen Engagement: Explore effective strategies for fostering member and leadership engagement and participation and learn how to create inclusive environments within ERGs that encourage active involvement
  • Featured speakers: Stacy Whitenight Ledesma, Latinas in Tech, Asheli Mann-Lofthouse, Cultural Outreach and Racial Equity (CORE) Collective
• Room 6: Breakout D – How to Engage Frontline, Manufacturing, and Non-office Employees
  • Featured speakers: Greg Callahan, Hitachi Energy, LaToy Fields, Siemens, Nerissa Stewart, Food Lion, Jeff Despain, Advance Auto Parts

11:35 am
Breakout Session 4 – Repeat of Breakout 3 sessions

12:30 pm
Networking lunch

1:15 pm
Session 5: Leadership insights: lessons in leadership
Executive/C-Suite panel featured speakers: Deniqua Crichlow, Cisco Systems, Gary Burnette, Kyndryl, Tejuan Manners, Lenovo, Stephanie Jensen, BASF; moderated by Megan Trapp, JPMorganChase

2:05 pm
Session 6: ERG Tips from the conference Advisory Board and audience Q&A
Panel, Q&A featured speakers: Sunny Myers, DEI Leader and Consultant,  Carlos Butler-Vale, Constellation Brands, Kaye Vassey, Firaxis, Trisha Todman, Airbnb, Jeff Despain, Advance Auto Parts, Maceo Owens, The ERG Movement; moderated by Richard Mihalic, Allstate

3:00 – 4:00 pm
Networking (optional)

 

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ERG LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE

IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION ONLY (not available for virtual participation)

In-Person Date/Time: Wednesday, September 25, 2024; 9:00 am – 3:30 pm ET

• The ERG Leadership Certificate program is an optional add-on activity: $550 (includes a $445 conference discount; standard fee is $995)
  

Description: The ERG Leadership Certificate course components consist of the following:

• Brief introduction to ERGs
• ERG business case and business alignment
• Structure: ERG charter, enterprise structure, group structure, ERG and Executive Sponsor roles and responsibilities
• Internal partners: Communications, HR, DEI, IT, leadership
• External partners: Community engagement
• Management and operations: ERG launch, recruitment, programming, engagement, retention, growth
• Evaluation: metrics, shared outcome

Format: Classroom and workshop, in person only

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