7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.    Conference Registration

** 6 SHRM continuing education credits is available for attending the conference

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​8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.    Corporate Exhibits

Please visit exhibit booths of our sponsors

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​8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.    Coach's Corner

Professional coaches from International Coach Federation – Houston Chapter  will be offering complimentary career and life coaching sessions. Sign-up at the Registration Desk to take advantage of this exciting opportunity!

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​8:30 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.    Welcome Remarks  

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8:50 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.     Ice Breaking Exercise

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​9:10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.    Plenary Session 

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“Power of Foregiveness”

• Vani Rao, Executive Coach

 

When we can forgive others, we can begin forgiving ourselves.

 

Forgiveness allows us to free ourselves from an invisible weight (i.e., baggage), to heal troubled relationships and to strengthen positive ones. The Hawaiian Code of Forgiveness, called Ho’oponopono, means to make things right both internally and externally. The Hawaiian healing arts treated the whole body spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Medical science has taken awhile but has finally begun accepting that mental and emotional stress can weaken the immune system and lead to other chronic health issues.  

 

If you want to heal your past relationships and improve your currents ones, at home and in the office…if you feel that the past few years of divisive politics, pandemic challenges and economic pressures have negatively impacted you…if you’re ready to reset your energetic connections so that you can move forward towards health and happiness, Ho’oponopono is for you.

 

Vani Rao integrates Ho’oponopono into her executive coaching practice where she combines Eastern philosophy with Western business acumen to help individuals reconnect to their Spirit and authentic voice – the intersection of business and belonging. Her session explores the Ancient Hawaiian Code of Forgiveness, its relevance today in a fast-moving environment and provides a pragmatic exercise that can be practiced daily to reset any relationship.

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10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.    Networking Break

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​10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.        Concurrent Sessions

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1.  Data-Driven DEI: The Tools and Metrics You Need to Measure, Analyze, and Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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• Dr. Randal Pinkett, Chairman and CEO, BCT Partners and Author of "Data Driven DEI"

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There is an ever-evolving suite of tools and metrics to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for people and organizations. This includes various solutions for DEI assessment, benchmarking, planning, learning, measurement, performance management, reporting and much more. Which tools and metrics are right for you? Your organization? How can you effectively use data to accelerate your DEI efforts? 

 

Data-Driven DEI™ is a simple, step-by-step process—centered on people first and then organizations—to assess your DEI current state, analyze that data to create a personal and organizational action plan, and implement data-driven, science-based, and technology-enabled interventions to improve DEI. During this session, participants will learn this approach by developing their own DEI mini-strategic plan to guide their personal DEI journey and how it can be applied to guide an organizational DEI journey.

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2. From Aspiration to Impact: Can we really make a difference?

• LaTanya Flix, SVP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Greater Houston Partnership

 

Join us for an interactive conversation that will help you lead from your seat and enhance business success.  During the session we will explore definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion and discuss proven practices to advance equity and inclusion and create better outcomes. LaTanya will also share key insights from the Houston region’s first Equity & Inclusion Assessment and offer suggestions on how you can leverage the data to drive action.

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3. LGBTQ+ Social Movements in the United States 

• Dr. Donna Davis - Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Benny Agosto, Jr. Diversity Center, South Texas College of Law Houston.

• Dr. Brice Yates, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, UH Clear Lake

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Via continued aggressive advocating by the LGBTQ+ community and their partners, LGBTQ+ social movements have gained momentum with each passing decade. From the watershed movement of the Stonewall Riots which was credited with creating visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, to the fight for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ social movements are at the forefront of civil rights discussions within the United States. 

 

This session will provide historical context of LGBTQ+ social movements in the United States. 

• Learn about social movements that have impacted the LGBTQ+ community 

• Learn about legislative bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights 

 

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11:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.        Luncheon

 

Diversity Champion Recognition

Corporate:       Roland Manzano - Director Staffing Initiatives and Outreach, METRO

Community:    Adrian Garcia – Commissioner Precinct 2 , Harris County

Team:              Information Technology Team – CenterPoint Energy

 

 

1:05 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.        Concurrent Sessions​

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4. Putting the 'E' Back to 'ESG' - Equity and the Environment

• Tamika Tyson, Co-Founder, TGC Impact Growth Fund

 

How we talk about Climate Change mirrors the DEIB space -they both require uncomfortable conversations. Numbers are only part of the picture, yet a well project will yield a 25% return and a renewable project, 5%. Asking markets to yield this delta is not yet part of the energy equation. The energy transition, according to our three speakers, requires uncomfortable conversations. 

 

Similar to 'Equity' conversations, the 'Environmental' in ESG debate raises the hackles of those on both sides of the energy industry - renewables and oil and gas. Bridging the gap between $3 a gallon and $10 a gallon is part of this intriguing conversation from three energy specialists. The focus will be on people, systems, and data.

 

Tamika Tyson is a former energy executive and runs a private equity firm focused on women and minority entrepreneurs. Come join us for a provocative conversation about where we are, and how the conversation around equity is directly related to the environment. 

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5. "What is neurodiversity and how it fits together with mental health and good choices"

• Gayle Fisher, Founder, Getting Sorted   

 

"This session will start with science/somatic causes of being wired differently and how that affects family and personal development.  It will discuss interventions for challenges in learning, coping, communicating, motivation and creating a good adult life.  Toward mental health, it will cover co-occurring challenges and pro-active interventions / therapies, as well as ally issues and what that can mean within the family and village.  It will cover a lot of ground, knowing there is always more iceberg below the surface and there will be time for questions"  

 

6. Small Group Discussions

• M. Helen Cavazos - Director of Human Resources, AAMA

• Dr. Donna Davis - Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Benny Agosto, Jr. Diversity Center

  South Texas College of Law Houston.

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 During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we saw the least amount of healthy dialogue around the subject of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The siloed spaces of our personal and professional lives, combined with the often political discourse around the subject, have silenced many in fear. The small group discussions will provide a space for interactions among DEI practitioners around current DEI topics related to the following issues:

• Current DEI State and Federal Legislation
• Advancing Anti-Racism Initiatives
• Maintaining a Culture of Empathy
• Building a DEI System of Accountability
• DEI Crisis Mode: Advancing Equity and Justice
• Altering the Status Quo: Confronting Bias

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2:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.        Concurrent Sessions

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7. Culture Revolution for a new Digital Age of Trusted AI

• Phaedra Boinodiris, Trustworthy AI Practice Lead, IBM Consulting 

 

Earning trust in Artificial Intelligence is not a technical challenge with a technical solution. It is a socio-technical challenge that requires a holistic approach across people, processes, and tools. In this talk, Phaedra Boinodiris will talk about what is the right kind of culture required to curate AI responsibly and give listeners solid steps on what you can do within your own organizations irrespective of your role.

 

8. Improving Health Equity Access Across Our Communities

• Carla Newman Sapsford, Consultant

• Dr. Sarah Candler, Chair, Women in Medicine Committee, Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians & Delegate to the American Medical Association from American College of Physicians

• Dr. Toi Harris, SVP, Chief Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Memorial Hermann Health System

• Ariel Jones, Sr. Operations Manager, Hims & Hers

• LeChauncy Woodard, Internist and Professor, UH Medical School

 

For over a decade, health equity has been listed as a top public health priority by the CDC, NIH, Healthy People and local government officials. Data undeniably supports that social determinants of health (SDoH) such as economics, education, and our environment are the drivers health equity and overall health outcomes. What is still being discovered, are the best next actions to improve these disparities across our communities. The purpose of this panel is to highlight the current state of health equity, the impact of the current state, and discuss actions that can help drive improved health across our communities.

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3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.        Network Reception & Door Prizes Drawing