23rd Annual DLA CONFERENCE
Building Resilience and Renewed Hope for Equity and Inclusion
October 3 – 4, 2024
Presenting Sponsors
The 23rd Annual DLA Conference will continue to foster a safe space where individuals and organizations can cultivate resilience in the face of challenges and ignite a Renewed hope for a more inclusive future. Through thought-provoking panels, riveting keynote addresses, and powerful workshops, participants will emerge empowered to navigate the pushback on Diversity, embrace inclusion, and drive meaningful conversations within their spheres of influence.
Join us on October 3rd and 4th as we Champion Resilience and inspire a vision of equity that transcends boundaries, igniting a beacon of hope for a world where everyone’s voices are heard and valued. Attend the best equity conference in the State of Arizona presented by the Diversity Leadership Alliance.
Get your tickets today!
2024 Conference Agenda At-A-Glance
Day One
(Virtual Workshops)
Thursday, October 3
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
6 total Virtual Sessions
Online via Zoom Events
8:30 – 9:00 AM
CONFERENCE WELCOME
9:00 – 10:00 AM
OPENING KEYNOTE
Storytelling for Transformation: Elevating DEI Through Powerful Personal and Organizational Narratives with Andre Bradford
Moderated by Allison Rodriguez
10:30 AM – 12:00 NOON
WORKSHOP #1
The ERG Advantage: Harnessing Employee Resource Groups to Foster a Cultural Momentum Shift in the Workplace with Hady Mendez
Moderated by Erick T. Garcia
WORKSHOP #2
Beyond Apologies and Backlash: Charting a Clear Course for Radical Inclusion with Alex Lahmeyer
Moderated by Marion Kelly
12:30 – 2:00 PM
WORKSHOP #3
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and Allies with Krystal Cobran, Marion Kelly and Kate Morris
Moderated by Allison Rodriguez
WORKSHOP #4
Building a Culture of Trust: Creating Better Strategic Alignment and Metrics for DEIB Within Organizations with Zhou Fang
Moderated by Tondra Richardson
2:00 – 3:30 PM
CLOSING SESSION
The Power of Connection: Using DEI Strategies to Build Meaningful Connections with Elliott M. Francis
Moderated by Joanna de’Shay
Day Two
(In-person)
Friday, October 4
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FABRIC Incubator Space
132 East 6th Street – Tempe, AZ
8:00 – 8:30 AM
DOORS OPEN / REGISTRATION
8:30 – 9:00 AM
BREAKFAST
• Networking
• Vendor Resource Fair
9:00 – 10:00 AM
CONFERENCE CLOSING PROGRAM
10:00 – 11:00 AM
MODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and Allies with Krystal Cobran, Kate Morris and Marion Kelly
Moderated by Allison Rodriguez
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
EQUITY BUILDING WORKING SESSION
COMMUNITY EQUITY BUILDING
with Juan Taveras
• Question Prompts
• Guided Responses
• Report Out by Table
12:30 NOON – 2:00 PM
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
• Lunch served
• Vendor Resource Fair
• Networking / Community Connection
• Mindfulness Corner/journaling
Building #1
132 East 6th Street, Tempe AZ 85281
2024 Conference Speakers and Presenters
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Andre Bradford
Motivational Speaker
TEDx Talk Speaker and Poet
SCSAYS Poetry
READ BIOOPENING KEYNOTE
Storytelling for Transformation: Elevating DEI Through Powerful Personal and Organizational NarrativesThu. Oct. 3
9:00 – 10:00 AM
-
Hady Mendez
Founder and CEO
Boldly Speaking, LLC.
READ BIOWORKSHOP #1
The ERG Advantage: Harnessing Employee Resource Groups to Foster a Cultural Momentum Shift in the WorkplaceThu. Oct. 3
10:30 AM – 12:00 NOON
-
Krystal Cobran
Founder & Principal Consultant
Good Impact
READ BIOWORKSHOP #3
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesThu. Oct. 3
12:30 – 2:00 PMMODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesFri. Oct. 4
10:00 – 11:00 AM
-
Kate Morris
President and General Manager
KPNX Phoenix, KNAZ, KMSB and KTTU
READ BIOWORKSHOP #3
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesThu. Oct. 3
12:30 – 2:00 PMMODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesFri. Oct. 4
10:00 – 11:00 AM
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Zhou Fang
she/her/tā/她
Founder, Intersectionality Coach, Consultant
Intersectional Group, LLC (COBID certified)
READ BIOWORKSHOP #4
Building a Culture of Trust: Creating Better Strategic Alignment and Metrics for DEIB Within OrganizationsThu. Oct. 3
12:30 – 2:00 PM
-
Juan Taveras
Founder, CEO, and Podcast Host
DEI PRO FINDER
READ BIOEQUITY BUILDING WORKING SESSION
Community Equity Building
Fri. Oct. 4
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
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Marion Kelly
Director
Office for Community and Business Relations Mayo Clinic, Arizona
READ BIOWORKSHOP #3
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesThu. Oct. 3
12:30 – 2:00 PMMODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesFri. Oct. 4
10:00 – 11:00 AM
-
Alex Lahmeyer
they/them
Founder & DEI Consultant
Boundless Arc
READ BIOWORKSHOP #2
Beyond Apologies and Backlash: Charting a Clear Course for Radical InclusionThu. Oct. 3
10:30 AM – 12:00 NOON
-
Elliott M. Francis
Principal DEI Program Manager
SOFI
Read BioCLOSING SESSION
The Power of Connection: Using DEI Strategies to Build Meaningful ConnectionsThu. Oct. 3
2:00 – 3:30 PM -
Allison Rodriguez
Anchor
Today in Arizona, 12News
READ BIOOPENING KEYNOTE
Storytelling for Transformation: Elevating DEI Through Powerful Personal and Organizational NarrativesThu. Oct. 3
9:00 – 10:00 AMWORKSHOP #3
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesThu. Oct. 3
12:30 – 2:00 PMMODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and AlliesFri. Oct. 4
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At the heart of transformative organizational culture lies a deep understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
- Diversity encompasses the variety of identities, experiences, and perspectives within a group. It includes differences in race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and more. Embracing diversity means recognizing and valuing these differences to enrich our communities and workplaces.
- Equity focuses on balance and justice, ensuring that everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources. Unlike equality, which treats everyone the same, 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 fully participate. It involves fostering a culture where diverse voices are heard and where individuals can contribute their unique perspectives without fear of bias or exclusion.
Why Join the Diversity and Inclusion Conference?
Investing in a Diversity and Inclusion 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 who are at the forefront of D&I initiatives. Learn best practices, emerging trends, and actionable strategies to implement in 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!
Register for ConferenceOur Online and In-Person Diversity 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 implementing those strategies into your workplace culture.
Sponsors
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.