Unpacking Themes and Trends for Making Inclusive Hiring Work in the Workplace
Here’s a secret: building and activating a DE&I strategy is NOT easy work! Even when an organization recognizes that it is the RIGHT thing to do, HR professionals and corporate stakeholders often face tensions and challenges that must be carefully navigated to ensure successful implementation.
In this session, we will confront those challenges through examining a case study in action that synthesizes the shared experiences of this esteemed panel into prominent themes of success for DE&I practitioners.
Our panelists – DE&I leaders from industries such as healthcare and technology - will share their unique experiences in navigating the DE&I journey focusing on: the business case for DE&I; common barriers for DE&I strategies; success stories of innovative approaches to overcoming common challenges; and, a shared thematic framework that will guide your overall success in implementing DE&I programming.
Learning Objectives:
By participating in this session, you will take away:
- An understanding of the common barriers that challenge the design and DE&I Strategies
- A framework of themes and trends that contribute to successful DE&I strategy implementation for your workplace
- Empowering stories of successful innovation that have propelled fellow HR practitioners and advocates into DE&I leaders
Who Should Attend: All participants are welcome to attend this session, but it is designed for participants who have experience with or interested in implementing inclusive hiring practices for a range of previously underrepresented workers.
Kristen Dodge
Kristen Dodge is a Learning Director at the Hartford, focusing on leadership and early career development. Leveraging needs analysis, assessment and focusing on behavioral change, she collaborates with leaders to provide content and performance support that accelerates development and ensures a talent pipeline.
Kristen has Leadership Learning and Development experience within the Fortune 500 financial services industry. She is a member of the Masie Learning Consortium and throughout her career has engaged with the Association for Talent Development and other industry groups.
Kristen is an active volunteer for the Pan Massachusetts Challenge and is a member of the Volunteer Engagement Committee at her alma mater.
Kristen received her BA degree from Mount Holyoke College.
Olivia Lang
Olivia Lang is Director of Faith-based Partnerships for CVS Health, Workforce Initiatives. She is providing oversight of the Faith-based and Second Chance programs in support of the company’s Social Justice and Equity Initiative. Olivia is also the former National Co-Chair for the CVS Health Faith-based Colleague Resource Group.
Olivia was previously employed as Bureau Chief of the Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources in Baltimore, Md. She was responsible for program planning, development and marketing for statewide hiring agreement initiatives and charitable campaigns.
She is the recipient of the National Eagle Leadership Award, from The National Eagle Leadership Institute that recognizes Black and Hispanic professionals in Corporate America whose records of performance inspire others to reach a higher standard of leadership in both their business and community endeavors. She is also the recipient of the National Black Caucus of State Legislatures, Corporate Roundtable, Benjamin S. Ruffin Leadership Award for exemplary service, dedication, and commitment to advancing the mission of the organization.
Olivia is a graduate of Morgan State University and holds a Master of Administrative Science Degree in Human Resources from The Johns Hopkins University. She also obtained a Master of Theology from Roanoke Theological Seminary and received a Certificate of License in the Gospel Ministry in 2018. Olivia is a very active Pastor’s wife who serves in various capacities in the areas of Church Growth, Christian Education and Community Outreach.
She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, NOBEL Women’s Corporate Advisory Council and Suffolk Vicinity of Ministers Wives and Widows.
Kathy Mannes
Kathryn Jo Mannes is vice president, impact partnerships, at JFF. She helps catalyze partnerships and programs that further JFF’s mission and impact in the field.
Kathy identifies educational and employment needs and crafts solutions to address those needs. She builds and promotes public and private partnerships to reimagine and scale opportunities that benefit companies, communities, and individuals. She is a dot-connector, with a wide range of corporate, education, government, and community contacts.
Before joining JFF, Kathy worked at the U.S. Department of Labor, where she launched the Center for Workforce and Industry Partnerships. Previously, she served as senior vice president for workforce and economic development at the American Association of Community Colleges and as the managing director of workforce development at the National Retail Federation Foundation. She has also worked at Dusco Community Services, the Council for Adult Education and Learning, and American University.
Kathy is a member of the board of the Center for Employment Opportunities and of the SkillsUSA Foundation council. She previously served on the Workforce Investment Board of Montgomery County, Maryland, and on the board of the National Center for Children and Families. She speaks on the opportunities and challenges in a changing economy and world of work.
Kathy says she looks for new ways to push systems, investors, and other stakeholders to combine efforts and resources. Her goal is to change the paradigm of how we prepare for and think about work by taking risks and putting ideas into action.