2022 DLA CONFERENCE

BRAVE CONVERSATIONS:

Turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones

Wednesday – Friday, October 12 – 14, 2022

Presented by

      

Conference Program   DLA Partnerships   SUPPORT DLA   

Diversity Leadership Alliance exists to bring a voice to marginalized communities, provide a forum for constructive dialogue, and eradicate racism through strategic professional development workshops. Together, with our business and community partners, we enhance the workplace and highlight the value of diversity as an essential part of any successful business model. We believe that organizations that understand and value diversity and inclusion can attract and retain top talent and position themselves competitively in the larger employment marketplace.

The 21st annual DLA Conference invites you to participate in BRAVE CONVERSATIONS, where we will turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones on a path toward a more diverse and equitable community. Our empowering keynote sessions, dynamic workshop content, and cutting-edge fire-side chats will cultivate change agents ready to lead with a renewed sense of bravery, urgency, and empathy. We invite you to raise our collective voice, drown out the havoc of racism, and walk bravely on the stones of change for our community.

2022 Speakers and Presenters

• 

  Jim E. Warne

   

  Native Advocate, Filmmaker and Educator
  Warrior Society Development, LLC and WSD Productions
  Community Engagement Director, University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities
  Oyáte Circle, Sanford School of Medicine
  View Bio

  

  OPENING KEYNOTE:

  LET’S TALK ABOUT IT! Productive workplace conversations around race, gender, and equity
  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
  8:30 – 10:00 am
  

• 

  Ashlea Taylor-Barber, LMFT

  Marriage and Family Therapist
  Favor and Grace Under Fire, Therapy and Consulting
  Speaking Favor and Grace Under Fire, Speaking and Engagement
  View Bio

  

  WORKSHOP #2:

  HEALING: COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY TRAUMA: Addressing the isolation, trauma, anxiety, and uncertainty resulting from the pandemic
  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
  10:30 am – 12:00 noon
  

• 

  Miguel Joey Avilés

  (he/him/él)

  Global Diversity and Inclusion
  Keynote Speaker | Consultant | Coach
  MJA & CO, LLC
  View Bio

  

  WORKSHOP #1:

  BELONGING AND CONNECTING: Feeling seen, heard, understood, and accepted
  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
  10:30 am – 12:00 noon AND 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
  

• 

  Nathan Baptiste

  (he/him/his)

  Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Advisor
  EDI Mindfulness Consulting
  Certified Meditation Instructor
  View Bio

  

  CLOSING SESSION Fireside Chat:

  MINDFULNESS: Creating intentional space to foster peace and balance in the workplace
  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
  2:15 pm – 3:30 pm
  

• 

  Eleanor Clifford

  (she/her)

  Founder
  Cancel Culture Consulting
  View Bio

  

  WORKSHOP #1:

  CANCEL CULTURE: Calling In Not Out
  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
  10:30 am – 12:00 noon
  12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
  

• 

  Andraéa LaVant

  Founder and President
  LaVant Consulting, Inc.
  View Bio

  

  WORKSHOP #2:

  LEADING DIFFERENTLY: The intersectionality of ableism, racism and leadership
  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
  10:30 am – 12:00 pm
  12:30 – 2:00 pm
  

• 

  Dr. Talee Vang

  DEI Consultant
  Urban Trauma
  View Bio

  

  WORKSHOP #2:

  HEALING: COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY TRAUMA: Addressing the isolation, trauma, anxiety, and uncertainty resulting from the pandemic
  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
  12:30 – 2:00pm
  

• 

  Dr. Sherard A. Robbins

  Owner, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
  Visceral Change
  View Bio

  

  OPENING KEYNOTE:

  LET’S TALK MORE ABOUT IT! The tools and resources needed to empower conversations around race, gender and equity
  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
  9:00 – 10:00 am
  

• 

  DEI Champions Speakers

  Essen Otu
  Manager Diversity and Inclusion, SRP
  Danyel Peterson
  AVP / Bank PMO Strategic Execution, USAA
  Erick Garcia
  Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Advisor, Mayo Clinic
  Saray Lopez
  Director, Student Diversity and Inclusion, University Of Phoenix
  Kate Morris
  General Manager and President, CH. 12 NEWS
  View Bios

  

  CLOSING SESSION:

  DEI CHAMPIONS ASSEMBLE! Highlighting the DEI strategies and programs that work, and how yours can too!
  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
  2:15 – 3:30 pm
  

2022 Diversity Awards

Wednesday, October 12 • 6:00-8:00pm AZ time
Join us for the live 2022 Diversity Awards ceremony!
Live on Zoom – Open to the public!
Bookmark this link to attend the live event: https://asu.zoom.us/j/84661078469

Learn more about the DLA awards.

2022 Award Winners

Congrats to all of our nominees and winners!

 

 

• Christine French Lifetime Service – Individual

  Lee Barnett

  
  

• Christine French Lifetime Service – Individual

  Phil Pangrazio

  
  

• Christine French Lifetime Service – Organization

  Mayo Clinic

  
  

• Christine French Lifetime Service – Organization

  Cox Communications

  
  

• Equity Trail Blazer Award

  Thinkzilla

  
  

• Equity Trail Blazer Award

  Casual Astronaut

  
  

• 2022 Diversity Leader of the Year

  Kristin Rodney

  
  

• 2022 Diversity Leader of the Year

  Felina Cordova Marks

  
  

• 2022 Diversity Leader of the Year

  Donald Northfelt, MD

  
  

Congratulations to our nominated 2022 Diversity Leaders of the Year:

Jennifer Sanchez
Niki Tapia
Sam Castro
Zachary Romo

Thanks to the following for nominating our award winners and nominees:

Farhia Omar
Dr. Teshia Soloman
Mayra Vasquez
Adrianna Tusek Erickson
Banita Bevineau
Jeff Buda
Michelle Dew

About the Awards

DLA celebrates and recognizes Arizona individuals, Corporations, and Organizations that lead by example, creating an inclusive environment that enhances and strengthens the community. The DLA Diversity and Inclusion Award is a joint award given on behalf of Diversity Leadership Alliance and Arizona SHRM. This prestigious award is given to a Corporation or Organization that recognizes and values Diversity, Equity, and Belonging. They create a safe space in an inclusive, collaborative work environment where their employees can be their genuine and authentic selves. In addition to their innovative internal Diversity programs and initiatives, they lead the way in terms of their extensive Community outreach efforts and support. DLA also honors individuals who serve as Diversity and Inclusion Leaders in the Community. These passionate individuals demonstrate collaborative leadership and a visible commitment to the work of Diversity and Inclusion. These individuals are bravely forging forward and creating spaces where others can celebrate and be celebrated and they do so selflessly with dignity and humility.

Special Thanks to our Award partners AZSHRM and Mayo Clinic!

“We have to make strategic and intentional changes to create safe spaces for diverse communities.”

Kevina Devereaux
Manager, Workforce Development – Desert Botanical Gardens