A Conversation with Workplace Leaders: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies for Success
Join a seasoned panel of executives hailing from a range of industries—including healthcare, sports, big-time retail and technology—as they discuss meaningful changes they’ve led for getting diversity, equity and inclusion right in the workplace. From the recent 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and protections for LGBTQ+ workers, these inspiring leaders will have a dialogue on current workplace issues. Learn from actionable success stories and expert advice on these pressing DE&I topics and more during this engaging panel discussion. Takeaway BOLD yet practical strategies and tactics for implementing initiatives that will help you create lasting impact in your own workplace.
Kristie Pappal
Kristie Pappal joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007 and currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources. In this role she provides comprehensive human resources leadership including developing and leading HR strategy and policy, cultivating a positive and productive work environment, talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits and wellness, compensation and organizational development. Proud to serve as a confidant and consultant to the senior leadership team. Kristie is also involved in the team’s environmental initiatives through its Go Green! Program.
Kristie came to the Eagles from Town Sports International (TSI), parent company of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington Sports Clubs where she was the Director of Human Resources. Prior to working with TSI, Kristie was the Human Resources Representative for Iron Mountain.
She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Fox School of Business at Temple University and a Bachelor of Science in Labor & Industrial Relations and a minor in Psychology from Penn State University. She is SPHR and SHRM-SCP certified. Kristie is a Co-Chair of The Penn State University, School of Labor and Employment Relations Affiliated Alumni Program Group and a Chair for the Philadelphia CHRO Leadership Summit. In addition, Kristie is a member of the Senior HR Advisory Group for the Fox School of Business at Temple University as well as a Board Member of POWER, The Power of Professional Women. Kristie serves as a student mentor with the College of Liberal Arts. She was the 2015 recipient of the Penn State University College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Young Alumni Award and 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni from the School of Labor and Employment Relations.
Ben Hasan
Ben Hasan joined Walmart’s Global People team as Senior Vice President and Chief Global Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Officer in July 2015. In this role, Ben and his team are responsible for the activation and strategic evolution of Walmart’s culture; the development of behaviors that embrace diversity and inclusion at all levels; and the promotion of the company’s external reputation as a great place to work.
He joined Walmart in 2008, and previously served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Services, in Walmart Technology. In this role, Ben and his team were responsible for ISD (Information Systems Division) strategy, communication, innovation, vendor management, project management, business analysis, GTS – India & Mexico, and quality assurance.
Prior to joining Walmart, Ben worked 11 years at Dell Inc. where he progressed through several leadership positions before serving as Vice President of Corporate & Product Group Information Technology (IT). In this position, he directed teams in Texas, Shanghai, Taipei, and Singapore. Ben also served as General Manager of Dell’s IT Development Centers in Brazil and India. He gained broad experience in IT, human resources, rates and regulatory affairs, and customer service early in his career across 14 years at ENSERCH Corporation, an energy company based in Dallas.
Ben was the 2006 recipient of the Temple University Fox School IT Award for Distinguished Alumni. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Amberton University in Dallas and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a computer science concentration from Temple University in Philadelphia. Ben also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Ben is a board member for several national and local organizations, including the Walmart Foundation; Catalyst Board of Advisors; Ron Clark Academy (Atlanta); United Negro College Fund; and Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Juan Otero
Juan Otero serves as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) for Comcast Corporation where he oversees the operational management of the company’s DE&I efforts across the corporate enterprise. Previously, Juan served as Vice President for Comcast Corporation’s Federal Government Affairs team. In this role he was responsible for federal legislative advocacy with Members of Congress and the Administration. He was also responsible for developing strategies for achieving corporate legislative objectives and actively working with third-party policy stakeholders. Prior to joining Comcast Corporation, Juan served as a director for the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C. and previously served as Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where he oversaw the Department’s efforts to develop improved interoperability technologies and communications. Before joining DHS, he worked as Principal Counsel for the National League of Cities.
As Vice President of DE&I, Juan also regularly interfaces and supports Comcast Corporation with the leading national public policy, inter-governmental associations, and civil rights organizations.
Juan currently sits on several national nonprofit boards, including Easterseals, the Hispanic Federation, and the Smithsonian’s Latino Center. Juan also sits on the Panasonic Foundation’s board of directors. He has previously sat on the governing boards of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, and the Studio Theater Board of Washington D.C.
Juan holds a J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a M.P.A. from American University.
Inez Stewart
Inez Stewart is the senior vice president, chief human resources officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine. Inez joined Johns Hopkins Medicine on December 31, 2016.
Stewart has more than 25 years of experience in human resources management and a deep understanding of its role in academic medicine. In her role at Johns Hopkins, she leads a team of human resources professionals who focus on attracting, engaging, developing and retaining the best people who will provide the highest quality of care for our patients. Stewart works collaboratively with the leadership of Johns Hopkins Medicine to create a culture of diversity and inclusion, pathways for employee development, advancement, and programs that invest in employee health and wellness. She also works with the human resource leaders and the health system’s Presidents to further the strategic priorities of Johns Hopkins.
Before joining Johns Hopkins, Stewart served as vice president and chief human resources officer for Boston Children’s Hospital. She has also held several senior executive human resources posts, including vice president of human resources at Tufts Medical Center and various vice presidential posts with the Polaroid Corporation, Arthur D. Little Inc., and the Lotus Development Corporation.
Stewart earned her B.A. from Boston College and her M.Ed., with a concentration in human resource management, from Cambridge College. She has served on the boards of many organizations, including Boston Children’s Museum, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Rogerson Communities, Eastern Bank Corporation. President of Conexcion and board of director for the Hispanic Federation of New York.
She is the proud recipient of Boston Business Journal Hispanic Executives “20 on the move” award and most recently the 2018 American Dream Award by the Maryland Hispanic Business Conference for her mentorship to young Latin professionals.
Sean T. Sullivan, SHRM-SCP
Sean Sullivan serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer and is responsible for providing human resources leadership, vision and service delivery for SHRM, the world's largest HR professional society.
Sullivan has over 25 years of experience in human resources strategy and operations. He has built his career across multiple industries, including health care, defense, technology, IT, and manufacturing, applying his expertise to help grow and support diverse business models.
Prior to SHRM, he was Vice President, Human Resources for Tufts Medical Center, an internationally respected academic medical center in downtown Boston. He was responsible for all aspects of human capital practices and labor relations in support of the healthcare, research, and teaching mission of the oldest permanent medical facility in the country. Under his leadership, Tufts Medical Center launched innovative initiatives in workforce development and diversity and inclusion while strengthening strategic partnerships with community-based organizations and enhancing equity in patient access to healthcare.
Sullivan has held senior leadership positions for technology firms in the defense and intelligence industries, including senior vice president for human resources with Leidos, a global IT and technology firm. He led due diligence and integration efforts for international mergers and acquisitions. He helped establish the Leidos Relief Foundation and served as its first president. He played a key role in the re-design of the human resources function for SAIC when it was spun off from Leidos in 2013. Earlier in his career, Sullivan took on roles of increasing responsibility at Northrop Grumman and TRW, including the support of global business units in systems integration and manufacturing.
With a passion for workforce development, he has been a guest speaker at the Close It Summit, the Colloquium on Global Diversity, the Work Rebooted Conference and other forums. He has been a member of Innovate+Educate's Innovative Business Hiring Council and the Healthcare HR Leadership Forum. He holds an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, from which he also earned his undergraduate degree in political science.
This speaker is a member of the SHRM Speakers Bureau.
