24th Annual DLA CONFERENCE
The Words May Change, the Work Continues
October 30-31, 2025
Thursday, October 30th (Virtual)
Friday, October 31st (In-person SRP Pera Club)
As the world changes, so must the imperative conversations around equity, fairness, agency, cultural humility, and community. Join Diversity Leadership Alliance for our 2025 Education Conference, “The Words May Change, the Work Continues,” where we strive to create a more resilient, connected community where everyone has a voice and every voice is represented. Our 24th annual Conference is a powerful gathering of thought leaders, advocates, educators, community leaders, students, and everyday change-makers committed to equity, inclusion, and workplace agency. This year’s theme invites us to reflect on the ever-changing ways we speak about equity and belonging and develop a new framework to address inclusion in the workplace.
Over the course of this 2-day dynamic conference, DLA participants will engage with leading voices and emerging leaders through interactive panels, thought-provoking keynotes, hands-on workshops, and healing spaces. Together, we’ll explore how to adapt our strategies without compromising our purpose, build coalitions across lines of difference, and sustain the momentum for change in the face of fatigue and resistance.
Presenting Sponsor
Schedule
ONLINE CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Live Webinars via ZOOM Events
Thursday, October 30th, 2025
Conference Opening 8:30 – 9:00 am
Welcome
Sponsor recognition
Session details
Conference Opening Session 9:00 am – 10:00 am
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Lily Zheng – Moderated by Marion Kelly
WORKSHOP #1 10:15 am – 11:30 am
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Dr. Lauren Megrew – PhD, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Therapist
Organizational Consultant and Neurodiversity Speaker
WORKSHOP #2 10:15 am – 11:30 am
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Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell, Founder and Principal Consultant
Co3 Consulting: Co-Creating Cohesive Communities
Lunch Break (On your own) 11:45 am – 12:30 pm
WORKSHOP #3 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
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Amy Jin Johnson, Executive Director
Harvard University – Project Implicit
WORKSHOP #4 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
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The Welcome to America Project
Panel: Kevin Groman, Niloufar Khonsari and Marcos Garciaacosta
Conference Closing Session 2:15 pm – 3:30 pm
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Stephen Menendian
Assistant Director and Director of Research
The Othering and Belonging Institute
Moderated by Joanna de’Shay
IN-PERSON CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
SRP Pera Club – (1 E Continental Dr, Tempe)
Friday, October 31st, 2025
Registration Open 7:15 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast * Networking * Activation wall
Opening Session 8:00 am – 8:30 am
Welcome and Sponsor comments
Friday’s in-person workshops will focus on the FAIR Framework by Lily Zheng.
| TIME Sandhill East Sandhill West |
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| 8:45 am – 10:00 am | WORKSHOP #1 [popup_anything id=”8567″]Joanna de’Shay | WORKSHOP #2 [popup_anything id=”8568″]Kamana Khadka |
| 10:15 am – 11:30 am | WORKSHOP #1 [popup_anything id=”8567″]Joanna de’Shay | WORKSHOP #2 [popup_anything id=”8568″]Kamana Khadka |
Lunch break 11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Luncheon program
| TIME Sandhill East Sandhill West |
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| 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm | WORKSHOP #3 [popup_anything id=”8570″]Dr. L. Andrea Brownlee | WORKSHOP #4 [popup_anything id=”8569″]Juan Taveras, MBA, SPHR |
| 2:15 pm – 3:30 pm | WORKSHOP #3 [popup_anything id=”8570″]Dr. L. Andrea Brownlee | WORKSHOP #4 [popup_anything id=”8569″]Juan Taveras, MBA, SPHR |
YOUTH LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP 8:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Separate workshop for DLA Youth Leadership Academy
Facilitated by Evener Scott and Jen Zingg
2025 Conference Speakers and Presenters
Thursday Speakers and Presenters
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Lily Zheng
(they/them)
LILY ZHENG CONSULTING
[popup_anything id=”8597″]OPENING SESSION
[popup_anything id=”8280″]Thu Oct. 30
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
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Dr. Lauren Megrew
Licensed Clinical Therapist
Consultant and Neurodiversity Speaker
[popup_anything id=”8322″]WORKSHOP #1
[popup_anything id=”8284″]Thu. Oct. 30
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
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Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell
Founder and Principal Consultant
Co3 – Co-Creating Cohesive Communities
[popup_anything id=”8316″]WORKSHOP #2
[popup_anything id=”8286″]Thu. Oct. 30
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
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Amy Jin Johnson
Executive Director
Project Implicit
[popup_anything id=”8300″]WORKSHOP #3
[popup_anything id=”8288″]Thu. Oct. 30
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
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Kevin Groman
Executive Director
The Welcome to America Project
[popup_anything id=”8388″]WORKSHOP #4
[popup_anything id=”8291″]Thu. Oct. 30
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
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Niloufar Khonsari
she/they
Executive Director
Bala Rising
[popup_anything id=”8610″]WORKSHOP #4
[popup_anything id=”8291″]Thu. Oct. 30
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
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Marcos Garciaacosta
Managing Attorney
Marcos Law Group
[popup_anything id=”8643″]WORKSHOP #4
[popup_anything id=”8291″]Thu. Oct. 30
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
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Stephen Menendian
Assistant Director and Director of Research
Othering & Belonging Institute
[popup_anything id=”8309″]CLOSING SESSION
[popup_anything id=”8294″]Thu. Oct. 30
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
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Marion Kelly
Director, Community Affairs
Mayo Clinic (retired)
[popup_anything id=”8659″]MODERATOR
[popup_anything id=”8280″]Thu. Oct. 30
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Friday Speakers and Presenters
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Tondra Richardson
Director, Engagement Strategy & Program Development
[popup_anything id=”8457″]FRIDAY EMCEE
Fri. Oct. 31
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
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Allison Rodriguez
Multimedia Journalist & News Anchor
Today in Arizona, 12 News
[popup_anything id=”7072″]FRIDAY EMCEE
Fri. Oct. 31
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
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Joanna de’Shay
(she/her)
Executive Director
Diversity Leadership Alliance
[popup_anything id=”8656″]WORKSHOP #1
[popup_anything id=”8567″]Fri. Oct. 31
8:45 AM – 10:00 AM and 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
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Kamana Khadka
(she/her)
Founder and Lead Consultant
Unlocking Inclusion
[popup_anything id=”8573″]WORKSHOP #2
[popup_anything id=”8568″]Fri. Oct. 31
8:45 AM – 10:00 AM and 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
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Dr. L. Andrea Brownlee
(he/him)
CIS Faculty | Education and Cultural Studies Adjunct Faculty
South Mountain Community College
Arizona State University: The Center for the Study of Race and Democracy–Impact Arizona Fellow
[popup_anything id=”8575″]WORKSHOP #3
[popup_anything id=”8570″]Fri. Oct. 31
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM and 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
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Juan Taveras, MBA, SPHR
(he/him)
DEI PRO FINDER
Founder, CEO, and Podcast Host
[popup_anything id=”8577″]WORKSHOP #4
[popup_anything id=”8569″]Fri. Oct. 31
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM and 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
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Corey Woods
Mayor
City of Tempe
[popup_anything id=”8665″]FRIDAY MORNING WELCOME
Fri. Oct. 31
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
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Evener Scott
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
HonorHealth
[popup_anything id=”8398″]YOUTH LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
Fri. Oct. 31
Youth Leadership Session Facilitator
8:45 AM – 2:00 PM
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Jen Zingg
Product Developer/Trainer
Blanchard Institute
[popup_anything id=”8408″]YOUTH LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
Fri. Oct. 31
Youth Leadership Session Facilitator
8:45 AM – 2:00 PM
2025 DLA Conference Sponsors
2025 Conference Committee
Joanna de’Shay
Executive Director, DLA
2025 Conference Co-Chair
Tikki CarMichael
Community Advocate
2025 Conference Co-Chair Understanding Agency, Equity, and Inclusion.
At the heart of transformative organizational culture lies a deep understanding of Agency, Equity, and Inclusion.
- Agency is the sense of control you feel in your life. It is your capacity to influence your thoughts and behaviors. Agency allows you to handle a wide array of tasks, especially in the face of conflict or change.
- Equity focuses on balance and justice, ensuring everyone has the same opportunities and resources. Unlike equality, which treats everyone equally, equity involves addressing systemic barriers and providing tailored support to achieve equitable outcomes for all.
- Inclusion is the practice of creating environments where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to participate fully. It involves fostering a culture where diverse voices are heard and individuals can contribute their unique perspectives without fear of bias or exclusion.
Why Join this Education and Leadership Conference?
Investing in an Education and leadership conference offers a transformative opportunity for organizations and individuals to deepen their understanding and commitment to fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment. Here’s why you should consider attending:
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Gain Insight from Experts:
Hear from thought leaders and practitioners at the forefront of Inclusion initiatives. Learn best practices, emerging trends, and actionable strategies for your organization.
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Enhance Skills and Knowledge:
Participate in interactive workshops and sessions that provide practical tools and techniques for addressing and overcoming biases, creating inclusive policies, and promoting equity.
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Foster Networking Opportunities:
Connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and build relationships that can lead to valuable collaborations and support networks.
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Drive Organizational Change:
Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to champion D&I efforts within your organization, driving meaningful change and cultivating a more inclusive workplace culture.
Explore how our diversity equity and inclusion workshops in Phoenix, AZ can make a difference in your organization or community and take the next step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive environment.
Secure your spot today and join us in leading the charge for meaningful change!
Learn More About DLAOur Online and In-Person Education and Leadership Conference Covers
Social Justice
Our workshops are aimed at encouraging, enhancing, and promoting dialogue and reconciliation. This conference supports healing and accountability by encouraging constructive dialogue that can move the needle on social justice issues.
Implicit Bias
Our Implicit Bias training helps individuals identify and overcome unconscious prejudices. Create a more inclusive and equitable environment by learning to address biases that affect decision-making and interactions.
Champion Resilience
Learn effective tools that can help you be a better champion, advocate, and ally. Our workshops provide resources that will assist attendees in building a vision of equity that transcends boundaries, igniting a beacon of hope for a world where everyone’s voices are heard and valued.
Equity Building
At this year’s DLA conference, you will work with individuals across various industries to address barriers to radical inclusion within your organization. Discover effective strategies to reengage leadership, management, and colleagues around the importance of DEI and implement those strategies into your workplace culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any partnership opportunities available?
Yes, absolutely. We offer partnership opportunities for organizations interested in supporting the diversity leadership conference. For more details, please email Executive Director Joanna de’Shay at leadership@diversityleadershipalliance.org.
What are the benefits of attending the conference?
Attendees will gain valuable insights into current DEI trends and challenges, learn actionable strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces, network with industry leaders and peers, and participate in hands-on workshops to develop practical skills for implementing DEI initiatives.
What is the format of the diversity leadership conference?
The conference includes a combination of keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. The agenda is designed to provide a comprehensive experience covering various aspects of DEI.
Are there virtual attendance options available?
Yes, absolutely. We offer virtual attendance options to accommodate participants who cannot attend in person. Virtual attendees will have access to live-streamed sessions, on-demand content, and virtual networking opportunities.
Will there be resources or materials provided after the diversity and inclusion conference?
Yes, all attendees will receive access to conference materials, including presentation slides, session recordings, and additional resources shared by speakers. These materials are valuable for ongoing learning and reference, allowing participants to revisit key concepts and share insights with their teams.