In this fast-paced opening session, you will get to know your fellow peers, hear their biggest internal communications challenges, and you can also learn a few fun facts!

Based on a chapter of his practical DE&I guide, Diversity and Inclusion Matters: Tactics and Tools to Inspire Equity and Game-Changing Performance, Jason shares how an organization’s alignment of its DE&I goals to its mission and vision is becoming increasingly important.

Companies need to bridge the gap between what they say and what they do. Your DE&I program should look like your organization. It should reflect its culture. Having DE&I woven into your company’s intentions and goals provide the bridge from intent to impact. It provides a bridge to understand how to connect with employees and the company.

In this session, you will learn:

• Why it is important for your organization to complete a Mission Alignment Exercise and define diversity, equity, and inclusion for the company
• How to identify clues that reflect the culture of the organization so that you can build a DE&I program that reflects the values and culture of the company
• A simple process for both defining DE&I and aligning your mission to DE&I goals

Bias isn't always overt. Oftentimes, it's the subtle, hidden attitudes we hold that are harmful to the workplace. Discover how unconscious bias can negatively impact your team members, clients and customers, and what to do about it in this one-hour webinar. Q&A to follow.

You will learn:

• How unconscious bias happens—and how it impacts the workplace
• What "microaggression" means
• What "othering" is and why it's so prevalent
• How bias plays itself out with the help of a self-assessment tool

Explore and understand the shortcomings of a tried and traditional approach to celebrating diversity. Instead, learn how to ignite inclusion across your organization, making it a part of the employee experience and fostering greater engagement. You'll walk away with fresh ideas, feeling empowered to make an impact and a difference at your organization.

Does building a successful diversity program for your organization seem like a daunting task? In the midst of what is now called the “great resignation,” organizations who are leading in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts can still experience less turnover, retain top talent, and increase employee engagement in this economic climate. Learn how Citizens Energy Group’s efforts to become a leader in diversity led them to receive local and national award-winning recognition.

During this session, you will:

• Understand why diversity and inclusion still matters and the bottom-line impact in today’s rapidly changing workforce
• Learn how to build a business case that attracts senior leadership support
• Learn how to leverage employee resource groups to build a successful DEI program that attracts and retains talent

Have you found yourself asking where to start with DEI or the role a communicator plays? We have assembled a panel of communicators who can answer your questions and provide tips on the challenges you’re facing within your organization.

Moderator:

Kevin Finke, Creative Director and Founder, Experience Willow

Panelists:

Crystal Andrews Banks, Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Ulta Beauty

Paysha Rhone, Senior Core Content Writer, Impact Ventures, Sodexo

Get back into the event and share a-ha moments from day 1.

In 2022, more and more organizations are adding diversity, equity and inclusion to their company values, as a signifier of their awareness of the current social climate. In order for cultural change to be realized, these values must become foundational to the way employees work. Communicators can use cultural humility as a tool to help drive inclusive storytelling within their organization.

In this session, you will learn: How to bring an equity first mindset to your employee communications strategy Best practices to drive inclusion as a communicator A framework for applying cultural humility in your work

As organizations begin to find their stride in the newly adapted workplace, many face challenges as they work to integrate hybrid work options and increased demand and focus on DEI efforts. Psychological safety concepts have gained traction as a possible solution to adapt company culture to include mental wellness and emotional safety as key performance indicators. Hear how Clayco approaches psychological safety to address DEI and mental health and wellness.

In this session, you will learn:

• What is psychological safety and what it's not
• How psychological safety and DEI converge
• Opportunities to leverage psychological safety to impact company culture and DEI efforts

In this final lightning round, you'll have the opportunity to ask a panel of communications professionals all your burning questions. You’ll want to have your notebook and pen ready for this session!

You’ll take in a lot of information during the event but may still have some questions. During this final panel, you’ll hear about lessons-learned during the event and get a chance to ask your final questions.