2021 Conference Agenda

Disability-owned business enterprises (DOBEs) will be matched and have short conversations with corporate partner representatives. Please note that this event requires separate registration and is not open to general conference attendees. The deadline to register for this event is June 4th.

This meeting's exact start time is TBA.

 The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) are teaming-up to deliver the 2021 JAN Academy. The JAN Academy will offer disability inclusion, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and job accommodation lessons learned during the pandemic and beyond that will inform the future of work. This training will enable participants to stay ahead of the curve by learning trends in inclusive policy and process integration and the interactive job accommodation process that will give workers with disabilities the opportunity to contribute, excel, and feel included as return to work plans are deployed. Are you ready to master the next level of accommodation, ADA, and inclusion challenges?

 EARN will present The Future of Work is Now: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic. As more workplaces reopen, some employees return to site-based work, and workplace innovation accelerates, what disability inclusionary practices will have staying power beyond the pandemic? Are flexible work arrangements, extended core hours, and telework here to stay? EARN will offer guidance on how to capitalize on the changes spurred by the pandemic to ensure a productive and inclusive workforce where workers with disabilities have full access and opportunity.

 JAN will present Next Level Accommodation and ADA Challenges. The job accommodation and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance bar has risen to expert level, requiring a higher level of competence, ADA analysis, and engagement in the interactive accommodation process. JAN will offer expert guidance on the many accommodation, ADA, and interactive process lessons learned over time, especially during the pandemic. Attend this training to learn practical ways to master complex accommodation and ADA situations involving engaging in the interactive process, addressing performance issues, modifying workplace policies, managing leave and attendance, and providing reasonable accommodations in a COVID-19 pandemic world.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the impact of the pandemic on the economy, workplace, and employment of people with disabilities
2. Examine internal inclusionary policies and practices to resolve workplace challenges that may occur in pandemic recovery
3. Identify and master complex accommodation and ADA interactive process challenges
4. Apply guidance provided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to inform accommodation practices and comply with relevant laws
5. Recognize JAN and EARN as partners in the interactive accommodation process and disability inclusion efforts

Presenters:

• Tracie DeFreitas, Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist at Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• Louis Orslene, Employer and Workplace Policy Team, at the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor Director

NextGen Leaders will be matched and have short conversations with corporate partner representatives. Please note that this event requires separate registration and is not open to general conference attendees. The deadline to register for this event is May 27th.

A great opportunity for ERG/BRG Leaders to hear practical “how to’s” from their peers and ask questions to gain insight into what they can apply in their organizations. This session is only open to Disability:IN corporate partners.

Set the tone for your day with an inclusive, empowering yoga session led by renowned yoga instructor Katie B Happyy alongside Challenged Athletes Foundation ambassadors Tara Butcher, Danielle McLaughlin, James Sa, Megan Blunk, and Liv Stone.  This yoga session is for all abilities and yoga levels and guaranteed to bring both an energetic and calming start to your day!

Instructor:

• Katie B Happyy

CAF Athletes:

• Tara Butcher
• Danielle McLaughlin
• James Sa
• Megan Blunk
• Liv Stone

We all have a role to play in building an inclusive global economy. Now, more than ever corporations, CEOs, investors and the community have a responsibility to advance disability inclusion and equality around the globe. Join the Disability:IN global movement and demonstrate your commitment to advancing disability inclusion and equality for all. Are You In?

Remarks:

• Jill Houghton, President & CEO at Disability:IN
• Chad Jerdee, Board Chair at Disability:IN
• Julie Sweet, Chief Executive Officer at Accenture

Moderator:

• John Pluhowski, Chief Communications Officer at TD Bank

Panelists:

• Camille Chang Gilmore, Vice President of Human Resources and Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Boston Scientific Corporation
• Paul Gennaro, Senior Vice President, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Voya Financial
• Ted Kennedy, Jr., Board Chair / Co-Chair / Partner American Association of People with Disabilities / Disability Equality Index / Epstein Becker Green
• Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft

Corporate Purpose Panel:

• John Bremen, Managing Director, Human Capital & Benefits at Willis Towers Watson
• Angela Harrell, Chief Diversity and Corp Responsibility Officer at Voya Financial

Disability:IN will announce the winners of the 2021 Inclusion Awards and unveil the Disability Equality Index (DEI) 2021 top-scoring companies.

Speakers:

• Jill Houghton, President & CEO of Disability:IN
• Wil Lewis, Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Experian
• David Casey, Senior Vice President, Workforce Strategies & Chief Diversity Officer at CVS Health
• Ted Kennedy, Jr., Board Chair / Co-Chair / Partner American Association of People with Disabilities / Disability Equality Index / Epstein Becker Green
• Ben-Saba Hasan, Senior Vice President | Chief Culture Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer at Walmart Inc.

Musical Performance:

• Marcus Roberts

Over the last decade, supplier diversity and inclusion has become more intrinsically connected to organizations’ business sustainability practices in the broader sense of the term, creating long-term competitiveness and stakeholder value. Recognized as “responsible procurement”, learn how companies are evolving their supplier diversity and inclusion programs into leading global models of sustainable business practices positively impacting communities in the United States and around the world.    

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how businesses think about sustainability and how this has helped to affect a new era of supplier diversity and inclusion 
2. Gain insights into leading supplier diversity and inclusion programs which have adopted a sustainability approach
3. Learn how to be more effective with your internal strategies to align with global attitudes toward supplier inclusion

Moderator:

• Philip DeVliegher, Vice President of Supplier Diversity at Disability:IN

Panelists:

• Denise Naguib, Vice President, Sustainability & Supplier Diversity at Marriott International
• Ben Ngobi, Global Procurement Sustainability Lead at Accenture
• Holli Turner, Director, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability at Humana, Inc

Mental health conditions are more common now than ever, but they are also treatable. The effects of COVID-19 are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. So why don’t we talk about them as openly as physical conditions? Treatment for the most common conditions is effective 80 percent of the time, yet only 33 percent of the people who need help will get it. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), commonly available through employers, offer free, confidential services but generally have extremely low use in the 3-5% range. More needs to be done to break the stigma and foster workplaces that encourage people to reach out for help when they need it. This session will explore promising practices on how employers are educating and providing resources to their employees.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the connection between stress management, high performance, and mental health
2. Explore specific strategies on how to identify the signs, break the silence and encourage employees to get help
3. Describe wellbeing and EAP utilization rates since the COVID-19 outbreak.
4. Identify innovative ways for company benefits to achieve a more holistic approach that values wellbeing

Moderator:

• Dan Pelton, PhD, Clinical Psychologist at Deloitte Consulting

Panelists:

• Joe Burton, CEO and founder of Whil at Rethink Benefits
• Bianca Coleman, Program Manager, Finance Diversity and Inclusion at Genentech
• Diana Gulick, Associate Director, Benefits & Wellbeing at Merck
• Kjirsten Tokushima, Manager, Employee Relations at Qualcomm, Inc.

A panel of corporate partners will discuss global accommodations models that ensure individuals with disabilities have access to accommodations no matter where they live. The companies will discuss global vs. regional models and address challenges in navigating differences in languages and appropriate technology.  This session will also feature the benefits and challenges of the different models and highlight workplace low-cost accommodations that are easy to implement.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the benefits and drawbacks of global vs. regional accommodations models.
2. Evaluate which accommodations model is compatible with their company’s global strategy.
3. Learn about low-cost, easy to implement accommodations.

Moderator:

• Leslie Wilson, SVP, Global Workplace Initiatives at Disability:IN

Panelists:

• Jason Denis, Benefits Manager, Disability Accommodations at Google
• Vani Seshadri, Vice President, Global Disability Inclusion Lead at Accenture
• Yves Veulliet, Global Diverse Ability Inclusion Leader at IBM

In the early digital accessibility journey? Looking for sage advice and best practices from seasoned professionals? Join our panel of leaders as they explore the early stages of building a digital accessibility program. Topics include obtaining a budget, determining where accessibility “lives” in the organization, policies and checklists, prioritizing digital accessibility for disability inclusion and your D&I commitment, training needs, celebrating small wins, roles impacted by accessibility, involving your ERG, understanding accessibility as a human right, the role of standards and inclusive design principles, gaining buy-in across the organization.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn best practices and resources for digital accessibility policies
2. Understand how digital accessibility impacts roles across the organization.
3. Learn why digital accessibility is crucial to an organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion.
4. Discover ways to involve employees with disabilities in digital accessibility efforts  

Moderator:

• Kelsey Hall, Senior Product Manager, UX/Accessibility at McDonald's

Panelists:

• Li Chen, Senior Manager, Product Management at Raytheon Technologies
• Jen Earnest, Director, Accessibility & Diversity Products at Cox Communications
• Gurpreet Kaur, Head of Global Accessibility at Twitter
• Fred Moltz, CAO at Verizon

Join Disability:IN Inclusion Works participating companies to learn the actions they are taking to be inclusive of customers, candidates, and employees with disabilities.

Moderator:

• Mylene Padolina, Corporate Disability Inclusion Consultant, Disability:IN

Panelists:

• Paul Gennaro, Senior Vice President, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Voya Financial
• Jake 'JP' Hytken, ERG & DEI Engagement Manager at Snap Inc.
• Lee Rubin, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Citrix

 This session will convene leading pension funds, asset managers, investment officers, corporate executives, and ESG professionals to advance the concept of disability inclusion as 

a new measure of sustainability and corporate accountability.

 Despite current civil rights laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities continue to experience extreme inequality, low labor force participation and significant barriers to economic independence. There exists overwhelming evidence that disability inclusion actually leads to better business performance and superior shareholder returns, according to Accenture’s report, “Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage.”

Consumer awareness, corporate accountability and shareholder engagement have now emerged as a concerted strategy for the nation’s leading disability rights organizations. A growing coalition comprising many of the world’s largest institutional investors and pension funds, currently representing $3 Trillion, have signed a Joint Investor Statement, calling on companies to participate in the Disability Equality Index (DEI) to measure, benchmark and publicly disclose their strategies for disability inclusion.

Moderator:

• Fiona Reynolds, CEO at Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)

Panelists:

• Kyle R. Seeley, Corporate Governance Officer at New York State Common Retirement Fund

Disability Equality Index (DEI) top scoring companies will share how they used the DEI as a roadmap to become more inclusive. Participating brands will discuss why they chose to take the DEI, their initial expectations and key findings. They will also share their top five DEI generated workplace initiatives and their successful outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review how top scoring DEI companies are using DEI data as a roadmap to full workplace inclusion.

2. Discover best and evolving practices to launch your disability inclusion efforts.

3. Explore key DEI findings and learn how to turn them into initiatives to advance disability inclusion across your enterprise.

Moderator:

• Wayne Shanks, Supplier Diversity Director at USAA

Panelists:

• Shani Bird, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Boston Scientific
• Tom Frantz, Senior Manager of Accessibility Public Relations and Partnerships at Salesforce
• Erin McGregor, Senior HR Business Partner at Chevron
• Russell Shaffer, Senior Director - Global Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Walmart Inc.

Increasingly, companies are realizing the importance of a customer-centric approach as they prioritize shared values and social responsibility. When it comes to disability inclusion, corporations often analyze various ‘business cases’, all with the goal to measure themselves. However, it’s time businesses look beyond the business case to be truly a customer-serving corporation. With more than one billion people with disabilities around the world, they are already an integral part of today’s workforce, market, and supply chain. Attend this session to learn how to mainstream disability inclusion to become a business of choice for people with disabilities. After all, disability inclusion is not the right thing to do, it is THE thing to do.

Learning Objectives

1. Explore foundational business case examples for embracing disability inclusive practices & products. 
2. Discuss how to integrate disability inclusion into the operations plan as companies interact with employees, consumers, businesses, and other stakeholders. 
3. Go beyond the numbers to humanize the case using authentic storytelling.
4. Practical lessons on what to do and what to avoid

Moderator:

• Christy Vanek, Sr Manager, DE&I at Otis Elevator Company

Panelists:

• Laurie Henneborn, Managing Director, Disability Inclusion Thought Leader at Accenture
• Parinay Malik, Director, Business Consultant | Customer Inclusion Team at Fidelity Investments
• Laura Marzi, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Group Benefits at The Hartford
• Kathy West-Evans, Director of Business Relations, National Employment Team at CSAVR (Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation)

You chose to attend this conference because you want to hear what your industry peers are doing to be more disability inclusive.  Participation in this session is the first step. You will hear directly from individuals who experience a wide range of apparent and non-apparent disabilities. They will share what actions, words and interactions they consider good disability etiquette and what are the disability faux pas. This session will also offer a safe environment to ask those questions that seemed too awkward to ask.

Learning Objectives:

1. An understanding of how certain words or actions may be considered micro-aggressions
2. How respectful communication and interactions can help you successfully include employees, clients and customers in your business
3. Why authentic disability etiquette can positively impact your business

Moderator:

• Deb Dagit, President of Deb Dagit Diversity LLC

Panelists:

• AnnMarie Killian, Vice President-Diversity and Inclusion at ZVRS and Purple Communications
• Anni Lano, Senior HR Business Partner at Honeywell
• Giselle Mota, Principal Future of Work at ADP
• Karen Roy, LCSW, Brand Ambassador at Numotion

While companies are under compliance requirements depending on the country in which they operate, some companies have launched global corporate disability inclusion standards. A panel of corporate partners will discuss how they developed their disability inclusion corporate standard taking into consideration various countries’ legal obligations. The panelists will also explain the corporate standard’s impact on reducing stigma and promoting inclusion.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify successful elements of a global disability inclusion standard. 
2. Learn how-to develop a global disability inclusion standard that incorporates countries’ legal obligations.
3. Learn how a global disability inclusion standard reduces stigma and promotes inclusion.

Moderator:

• Janine Seker, Global Senior Manager Talent Acquisition at Zebra

Panelists:

• Michelle Bester, Head of International People Compliance at Facebook
• Alisha Fernando, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, APAC at Bloomberg LP
• Kunal Mahajan, ESG VP / Leveraged Finance VP at SMBC

Identifying, engaging and on-boarding small, diverse suppliers can often be challenging considering business factors involved in the supplier relationship management process such as performance capabilities, compliance, and risk mitigation. Barriers to working with disability-owned business enterprises can be even more pronounced. Hear directly from DOBEs and supplier diversity leaders on strategies that can help companies break down those barriers to ensure every potential supplier has a positive experience and companies continue to build sustainable, inclusive supply chains.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand some of the existing barriers which limit the successful identification, engagement, and on-boarding of small, diverse suppliers
2. Learn of the unique barriers associated with the DOBE community
3. Take away practical solutions you can implement to improve supplier on-boarding policies and practices

Moderator:

• Michael K. Robinson, Program Director, Global Supplier Diversity at IBM

Panelists:

• David Feldman, Supplier Diversity Manager at Chevron
• Julian John, Founder and Managing Director at Delsion
• Bonnie Scott, Owner of Wonzo Group

Disability touches all dimensions of diversity. When we fail to incorporate intersectionality into our practices and policies, we leave parts of our community behind. This session will explore how companies can be intersectional in their approaches to inclusion, equity, and belonging. Cross-collaboration between employee resource groups is one way that some businesses are building a more inclusive environment and addressing the intersectionality many of their employees represent. When harnessed strategically, intersectionality can be leveraged to improve access, opportunity, and equity in the workforce.


Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to meet employees needs in a cross-culturally competent and inclusive manner
2. Describe techniques to design and launch allies training and programming to expand inclusion work including organic collaboration across employee resource groups
3. Understand how cross-cultural disability strategies and practices can enhance employee resource groups.

Moderator:

• Karina Sanchez, Senior Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Associate at Grant Thornton LLP

Panelists:

• Dan Ellerman, Director, Global Inclusion & Diversity at Mars Inc.
• Kimberly Marcus, Director, Supplier Diversity at AARP
• Corey B Smith, Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Nike Global Operations, Corporate Functions & Accessibility at NIKE Inc.

This action packed session will explore topics including, accessibility in a post-COVID, return to work world; the latest innovations in accessible technology and how people with disabilities use accessible tech; and will include a panel on the importance of engagement from people with lived experiences, when developing inclusive technology.

Moderator:

• Dorothy Garcia, Senior Manager of the Global Disability Equality Index (GDEI) at Disability:IN

Remarks:

• Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft
• Saul Van Beurden, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Technology at Wells Fargo
• Steven Scott, Creator/Broadcaster at Double Tap Productions

Panel Moderator:

• Jessica Rafuse, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Policy, Accessibility at Microsoft

Panelists:

• Eric Bridges, Executive Director at American Council of the Blind
• Sevana Massih, I&D Program Manager, Accessibility at Starbucks Coffee Co
• Brook McCall, Senior Director, Tech Access Initiative at United Spinal Association
• Jeff Wissel, Director of the Office of Customer Accessibility at Fidelity Investments

Presenter:

• Hannah Chadwick, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at Disability:IN

As leaders look to the future and the transformation of supplier diversity following the challenges of the last year, supplier development will no doubt be a key focus. This session will explore the importance and value of mentoring relationships as part of the supplier development journey.

Hear from Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs) as well as corporate leaders about how the Disability:IN Supplier Mentoring Program is advancing DOBEs and how the supplier diversity landscape is evolving along with the way we work, live and travel.

DOBE Panel:

• Raul Suarez-Rodriguez, Director, Economic Inclusion and Supplier Diversity at Merck
• Joyce Bender, CEO at Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
• Pushpa Nalavade, Managing Director - Global Business Services Network, India at Accenture
• Kamala Raghunath, Founder and Chair Person at Gift Links India Pvt Ltd
• Zaylore Stout, Esq., Owner/Founder of Zaylore Stout & Associates, LLC

Corporate Panel:

• Selina McCole, Head of ESG and Vendor Diversity at Goldman Sachs
• Kathy April-Rush, Lead, Supplier Diversity at AbbVie Inc.
• Tony Flemmich, Vice President, Enabling Functions Procurement at Bristol Myers Squibb
• Casey Oakes, Director, Global Supplier Diversity at Marriott International

Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are proud to announce the launch of the 2021 Global Disability Equality Index Pilot. The Global DEI came into fruition because many of our current partners expressed a desire to benchmark inclusion efforts around the world, both within their own brand as well as other industries. Join us to learn more about the Global DEI and how to be a part of it.

Speakers:

• David Casey, Senior Vice President, Workforce Strategies & Chief Diversity Officer at CVS Health
• Dorothy Garcia, Senior Manager, Global Disability Equality Index at Disability:IN
• Becky Kekula, Director, Disability Equality Index at Disability:IN

Business Resource Groups are critical to business performance because the most valuable resource any company has are its people. So, what can businesses do to foster an environment where employees belong? Hear from executive sponsors of Disability Business Resource Groups about how they champion these efforts and what it means to be IN at work.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn strategies that ERGs use to positively impact the business. 
2. Understand how to support the disability community as an executive.
3. Gain insight into practical ways to be IN at work.  

Moderator:

• Evan M. Turtz, Senior Vice President, General Counsel at Trane Technologies

Panelists:

• Govind Balakrishnan, Senior Vice President, Creative Cloud Products and Services at Adobe
• Lisa M. Bickel, Chief Labor & Employment Counsel - Aerospace at Honeywell International Inc.
• Colman O'Flynn, Vice President, Business Transformation at Dell Technologies
• Stephanie Payne, Chief HR Officer, North America at Sodexo

The past year has provided new challenges, as well as tremendous opportunities for E/BRGs to support their members while still providing maximum value for their businesses. Learn how E/BRGs have continued to thrive in a virtual-only environment and the strategies they have used to grow membership, as well as keep current members engaged. Companies will also share how their E/BRGs operate when they have both in-person and virtual employees.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to leverage past in-person activities to run dynamic virtual events.
2. Strategies to grow your ERG and engage members in a virtual or mixed (in-person/virtual) environment.
3. Find new ways to connect and unite E/BRG members, share best practices among internal E/BRGs, and further your disability focused E/BRG goals regardless of where members physically work around the globe.

Moderator:

• Rachel R. Bozeman, Manager Talent Acquisition at Lumen

Panelists:

• Shaun Amabile, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Analyst at BlackRock
• Vivian Ayuso-Sanchez, Senior Manager Diversity Networks & Programs at Walgreens Boots Alliance
• Chaitanya Manchanda, Cybersecurity Professional & Disability ERG Leader at Discover

Small, diverse-owned businesses are often encouraged to form partnerships or alliances with other suppliers to expand capacity and better serve larger corporate clients. But there are many considerations that should be made in advance of forming these business relationships.  In the first of a 2-part business development series, DOBEs won’t want to miss this panel of experts addressing the benefits, the challenges, and the keys to forming successful business partnerships and alliances. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the different types of collaborative business relationships available to DOBEs and their potential benefits
2. Learn the steps to forming successful partnerships and alliances
3. Gain insights into the potential pitfalls of collaborative business relationships

Moderator:

• Paige Adams, Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity at PepsiCo

Panelists:

• Salvador Enriquez, Supplier Diversity Manager at Wells Fargo
• Theresa Harrison, Global Director, Environmental Social Governance Services at EY
• Gary Olds, Sourcing Specialist at Freddie Mac
• Terence Stanton, Small Business Liaison Officer at The Boeing Company

Prior to the pandemic, research showed 66% of individuals personally experienced mental health challenges. Additional studies have shown an increase in individuals experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety, and mental wellness challenges since the pandemic began. E/BRGs play a critical role in supporting employee mental health within their organizations. Hear from companies who have implemented new ways to raise mental health awareness and promote total body wellness through their E/BRGs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how storytelling can open the dialogue and reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
2. Learn to engage mental health allies/ambassadors.
3. Discover methods E/BRGs use to communicate mental health resources to employees.

Moderator:

• Mark Tucker, Vice President of Operations and EBRG Disability - National Chair at Sodexo

Panelists:

• Ali Cupito, Global Mental Health & Wellness Lead at Accenture
• Alicia Hawley, eBusiness Lead & True Ability Comms and Strategy at Dell Technologies
• Jenn Mitchell Padgett, Senior Manager, Strategy & Planning, GM Able ERG President at General Motors
• Tyece Wilkins, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager at BAE Systems

A panel of companies with operations outside of the U.S. will discuss their unique models to successfully recruit candidates with disabilities and overcome recruiters’ bias.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify similarities between successful global recruitment strategies across multiple countries.
2. Align current TA strategies with global TA strategies.
3. Learn recruitment techniques based on successful case studies.

Moderator:

• Sean Treccia, Director, Talent Acquisition at KPMG LLP

Panelists:

• Maiko Ashby, Vice President, Global Executive and Corp. Professional Talent Acquisition at PepsiCo
• Priyanka Rowthu, Inclusion Recruiting Lead, APAC at LinkedIn

It’s been said that Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice. Equity is an action. Belonging is an outcome—it’s that sense of safety that employees can be their authentic selves without fear of judgment. Now more than ever, business leaders are drawing their attention to belonging, and seeking advice on creative approaches that position diversity at the heart of executing business strategy, not as a side project. This session will examine holistic approaches to self-identification, including how ERG/BRGs can play a role, and its connection to fostering an environment of belonging.


Learning Objectives:

1. Learn self ID approaches and how to gain traction even in a risk averse company
2. Explore the intersection of culture and compliance
3. Review how companies are using data and storytelling to build more inclusive culture after a self ID campaign

Moderator:

• Kourtney McGrew, Senior Executive Rep I Hospital, Sales and Marketing at Astellas Pharma

Panelists:

• Nikki Lancaster Alphonse, Director, Equity, Equality, Access, & Accommodations at Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Greg Pollock, Accessibility Officer at PNC Financial Services
• Marianne Taylor, Director, Talent Acquisition and Employee Experience at American Water

Your organization’s Disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) can help grow and bring value to your digital accessibility program. And a digital accessibility program supports members of all ERGs. Our panel of ERG and accessibility leaders will help you strengthen this vital partnership. Topics include finding accessibility champions in your ERG; role of ERG members in procurement, testing, and prioritizing accessibility remediation of workplace tools; ERG involvement in internal and external communications around digital accessibility; ERG role in establishing an office of digital accessibility; ERG and accessibility support; ERG intersectionality to advance accessibility.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how your ERG can help grow your digital accessibility program and how your accessibility work supports your ERG
2. Learn best practices for involving ERG members with disabilities in the process of purchasing workplace tools.
3. Explore ERG intersectionality as a tool to advance digital accessibility

Moderator:

• Drew Lietzow, Executive Communications Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Panelists:

• Rai Hsu, Brand Integrity & Customer Advocacy Lead at Snap Inc.
• Joel Moffatt, Principal Product Manager and Engagement Lead, Accessibility at Comcast
• Sophia Morgan, Senior Program Manager, Accessibility at Amazon
• Jeff Wissel, Director of the Office of Customer Accessibility at Fidelity Investments

Hear from international disability rights activist Judy Heumann about her life experiences, insights, and vision for the future of disability rights.

Moderator:

• Sandra Evers-Manly, Vice President, Global Corporate Responsibility at Northrop Grumman Corporation

Speaker:

• Judy Heumann, International Disability Rights Activist and Creator of The Heumann Perspective

During this session, companies that have successfully created culturally consistent U.S. based corporate disability inclusion models, will share their global journeys, challenges and accomplishments, to advance disability inclusion around the world.

Moderator:

• Leslie Wilson, Senior Vice President, Global Workplace Initiatives at Disability:IN

Panelists:

• Gwen Migita, Vice President Social Impact, Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Caesars
• Holly O’Neill, Chief Client Care Executive & Head of Consumer Client Services at Bank of America
• Elizabeth Peregrino, Director, Global HR Risk, Privacy & Compliance at Facebook
• David Sneddon, Vice President EMEA gTech Professional Services at Google

Get moving with the Challenged Athletes Foundation with an engaging workout designed for all abilities, led by Sheri Matthews Kimmel and special guest ambassadors James Sa, Danielle McLaughlin, Megan Blunk, and Liv Stone. Cater your experience to your desired outcomes as an energetic full workout, an excuse to move away from your computer, or to learn more about CAF and the power of sport and wellness for all!

Instructor:

• Sheri Matthews Kimmel

CAF Athletes:

• James Sa
• Danielle McLaughlin
• Megan Blunk
• Liv Stone

Learn about companies who are prioritizing neurodivergent individuals as part of their hiring processes and workforces. During this session, you will hear about how these programs shifted over the past year, how they continue to support these employees, and lessons learned along the way.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the ways that a company culture can be more inclusive of neurodivergent employees

2. Highlight the importance of breaking stereotypes around neurodivergent employees

3. Emphasize the value of collaboration space for neurodivergent employees

Moderator:

• Jessica Roth, Disabilities @ Work Program Manager at Salesforce

Panelists:

• Michael J Ashburne, Quality Assurance Manager at Aspiritech
• Kelly Butz, Human Resources Manager at CAI
• Natalia (Nat) Lyckowski, Global [email protected] Business Resource Group Co-Chair at IBM
• Jamell G. Mitchell, Global Community Engagement Leader at EY

The military has its own culture. It has a language, a style, and unique code of conduct. As a result, the transition that occurs when veterans and their families leave the military world and re-enter civilian life can be difficult. The social and workplace norms of the military do not always align with those in civilian life. The employer plays a crucial role in the transition and can be helpful by creating a veteran-informed culture in the workplace. By creating a veteran-informed culture, employers will help veterans make a positive connection to their new work environment, leading to increased engagement and ultimately higher retention rates, which benefits both the veteran and the company.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand military culture and disability to leverage recruiting
2. Learn how you can support the veteran transition process and help them understand and take pride in their new disability status
3. Gain information on practices and programs that lead to successful retention

Moderator:

• Chris Ann Phillips, Military Affairs Liaison at PNC Bank

Panelists:

• Glen Dare, President, Raytheon Veteran Employee Resource Group (RAYVETS) at Raytheon Technologies
• Chris Dillon, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Consultant at Walgreens
• DC Foster, Senior Director at Raytheon
• Brian Ginnane, Director of Operations at McKesson

A panel of multi-national companies will discuss their global self-id strategies, how the self-id strategies were organized, how to engage your ERG/BRG, and external hurdles overcome, and the resulting outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify self-id strategies, potential challenges and how these were overcome.
2. Learn how to organize a successful global self-id program at their companies.
3. Provide business cases for successful global self-id campaigns.

Moderator:

• Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head Global Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at State Street Corporation

Panelists:

• Manisha Mehrotra, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Europe Middle East and Africa at Bloomberg
• Jo Watson, Corporation Director, Inclusion and Belonging at Intel

Hear from our NextGen Leaders about their experiences and as they pitch their Innovation Lab projects to a panel of judges.

Panelists:

• Peter Brooks, Vice President, Talent Acquisition at Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Courtney McCoy, Global Talent Acquisition Leader at Cummins Inc.
• Niambi M. Powell, PhD, DEI Specialist at Ford Motor Company
• Lori Samuels, Accessibility Director at NBCUniversal

Facebook Story:

• Miranda Kalinowski, Vice President, Global Head of Recruiting at Facebook
• Liz Wamai, Vice President, Recruiting at Facebook

NextGen Story:

• John McGonagle, Chair, Able and Allies Community at Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Company
• Laka Mitiku Negassa, NextGen Leader, National Disability Speakers Bureau - RespectAbility

iLab Judges:

• Tom Frantz, Senior Manager of Accessibility Public Relations and Partnerships at Salesforce
• Peter Illian, Senior Vice President, Deposits - Discover Bank at Discover Financial Services
• Ben Ngobi, Global Procurement Sustainability Lead at Accenture
• Saima Shafiq, Vice President, Intelligent Automation Center of Excellence Manager at PNC

Now more than ever, the effects of COVID-19 are having a dramatic impact on the mental health of employees and their families. Corporate leaders are the drivers of change in creating workplaces that support their employees’ mental and physical well-being. Please join this panel of corporate leaders as they discuss how their mental wellness programs have benefitted their employees, their families, and their workplaces, during this very challenging time for people around the globe.

Remarks:

• Edward Mackey, Executive Vice President, Global Operations at Boston Scientific Corporation

Moderator:

• Janice Dupré, EVP, Human Resources at Lowe's

Panelists:

• Dr. Nicole Shaffer, Senior Director Colleague Wellness at Pfizer Inc
• Hale Pulsifer, Accessibility Segment Lead at Fidelity Investments
• Hyong Un, MD, Chief Psychiatric Officer at Aetna, a CVS Health Company

As businesses of all sizes and across all industries continue to adjust and recover from the global pandemic of 2020, the opportunity to re-imagine the next iteration of how business is conducted could not be greater.

So much has been spoken about operational agility and the art of pivoting for good reason. Join us for an interactive discussion on how to survive, thrive and avoid pivot pitfalls.   

Learning Objectives:

1. Gain insights into how businesses faced up to the challenges of 2020
2. Learn how businesses are recovering, rebuilding, and accelerating transformation
3. Learn how to coach DOBEs to add value by becoming your innovators and leveraging the opportunities of the future

Moderator:

• Meg Taylor, Vice President, Chief Litigation & Employment Counsel at Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Panelists:

• Joyce Bender, CEO at Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
• LaMecia Butler, Program Manager, Supplier Diversity at Facebook, Inc.
• Jackson Dalton, President at Black Box Safety, Inc.
• Leonard K. Spencer, Director Supplier Diversity & Sustainability at The Walt Disney Company

From identifying talent sourcing partners to accessing the disability community, to providing training to recruiters and hiring managers, to ensuring an accessible experience for all participants, recruiting strategies are complex and require a comprehensive approach.  This session will review different models, including marketing and outreach campaigns, that diversified pipelines and delivered a more seamless onboarding experience for talent at all levels.  Time will also be allocated to discuss strategies on how to increase your actual numbers of applicants and hires.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about accessible entry points for applicant with disabilities
2. Identify intersectional approaches for intentionally recruiting talent with disabilities at various career stages
3. Understand how lifecycle storytelling, from recruitment to retention, is critical to successful hiring
4. Enhance training for recruiters and other talent acquisition professionals

Moderator:

• Tom Downs, Diversity and Military Talent Acquisition Lead at Booz Allen Hamilton

Panelists:

• Andrea Eselunas, Director, Enterprise Disability Inclusion Programs at UnitedHealth Group
• Shannon Maher, Recruiting Programs Specialist at Exelon
• Erin Evans, Manager, Diverse Talent Strategy at Prudential
• Terrance S. Lockett, Senior Diversity Program Manager, Oracle University Technical Recruiting at Oracle

Now it’s time to scale across the global organization. Join global accessibility leaders as they explore best practices for scaling accessibility policies, programs, and processes across your organization’s footprint. Topics include navigating cultural differences that impact accessibility; global training; best practices for working with global teams; developing global policies; understanding global compliance requirements; establishing global employee networks and champion programs to advance digital accessibility; advantages and pitfalls of AI for global accessibility scaling.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understanding how culture and country practices around disability impact accessibility.
2. Learn best practices for international accessibility training, certification and credentialing.
3. Discover strategies for improving global connections among employees with disabilities and cross-functional teams, and accessing global expertise to advance digital accessibility.

Moderator:

• Chas Steinmetz, Senior Vice President of Digital Accessibility at PNC Bank

Panelists:

• Kristian Burch, Accessibility Compliance Sr. Manager at Salesforce
• Sumaira (Sam) Latif, Company Accessibility Leader at Procter & Gamble
• Suzanne Montgomery, VP - Compliance & Chief Accessibility Officer at AT&T
• Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility Programs and Disability Inclusion at Google, Inc

This session is specifically designed for DOBEs who want to increase their sales in any market environment. During a challenging business climate or one that is currently warm and sunny, the ability to embrace innovation to differentiate your product or service is the key to a sustainable competitive advantage. 

As a DOBE wanting to stand out among all the rest, you won’t want to miss this second of our 2-part business development series as corporate leaders share their perspectives as potential customers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand why differentiation is the key to success when working with potential corporate clients
2. Gain insights into developing an out-of-the box thinking mindset – practicing the art of listening and developing creative solutions to your customer’s needs
3. Learn key differentiation and innovation strategies that can help you grow your business and provide greater job security for your staff

Moderator:

• Dr. L. Jay Burks, Director of Supplier Diversity at Comcast Corporation

Panelists:

• Rosa Botello, Global Head of Supplier Diversity at Motorola Solutions
• Fernando Hernandez, Global Leader Supplier Diversity at Coca-Cola
• Mike May, Senior Director - Technology Partner at Program UKG
• Derek Wilson, Director, Global Category Lead, Contingent Labor at Johnson & Johnson

Employee Resource groups play an important role in helping talent develop professionally and in keeping them move through the leadership pipeline. This may include initiatives such as having their members lead a strategic E/BRG initiative or take on a leadership role within the E/BRG, developing a mentoring program, or ensuring disability inclusion is part of succession planning discussions. Companies will share what their disability-focused E/BRGs have done to further leadership development of employees with disabilities within their organizations.

Learning Objectives:                   

1. Learn how to identify employees for E/BRG leadership roles.
2. Find new ways to develop, recognize, and reward E/BRG leaders.
3. Discover strategies E/BRGs have implemented to positively impact the inclusion of employees with disabilities into their organization’s leadership pipeline.

Moderator:

• Therese Curry, NYC AccessAbilities Co-Leader and Experienced Hire Recruiter at EY

Panelists:

• Sunday Parker, Accessibility Outreach Program Manager at Salesforce
• Gautam Rao, Global Digital Accessibility Leader at EY
• Betsy Tsukimura, Sr. Project Lead, Global Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Boeing

In this session you will hear from institutional investors, pension consultants, thought leaders and corporate ESG professionals about how you can integrate disability inclusion into your ESG priorities. Learn about resources to help you on this journey, how to begin identifying people with disabilities for your board of directors, and more.

Moderator:

• Jill Houghton, President & CEO at Disability:IN

Panelists:

• Tim Erblich, Chief Executive Officer at Ethisphere

Join global accessibility leaders for a fast-paced glimpse into accessibility topics of tomorrow. Designed for those with developed accessibility programs – and those who want a taste of what their burgeoning accessibility commitment can become. Topics include global accessibility innovation and trends; accessible procurement successes; growing accessibility teams and building on successes; leveraging accessibility for brand awareness; expanding the role of people with disabilities in accessibility and Artificial Intelligence (AI) research; ethical AI and the future of accessibility.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how global organizations are leveraging digital accessibility efforts to build brand awareness and loyalty
2. Discover how AI can shape the future of accessibility and what can global leaders do to ensure that the future is ethical
3. Learn what global leaders think are the cutting edge digital accessibility issues to today… and tomorrow.

Moderator:

• Larry Worth, Senior Vice President, Partnerships and SourceAbled at Rangam Consultants

Panelists:

• Sheri Byrne-Haber, Accessibility Architect at VMware
• Sevana Massih, I&D Program Manager, Accessibility at Starbucks
• Matt May, Head of Inclusive Design at Adobe
• Jessica Rafuse, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Policy, Accessibility at Microsoft

Storytelling is a memorable way to transform information, create deep emotional connections, and connect an abstract concept to our daily lives. In this session, you will hear from companies who are using storytelling to help advance their company’s disability inclusion journey and connect their company’s brand to purpose in actionable ways.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to find compelling stories from within your company
2. Learn how to tell stories in a meaningful and authentic way.
3. Hear examples from companies about how they have leveraged storytelling.

Moderator:

• Miriam Carey, Global Communications Manager at Protiviti

Panelists:

• Claudia Gordon, Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner at T-Mobile
• Megan Lawrence, PhD, Senior Accessibility Evangelist at Microsoft
• Emily McDonald, Senior Manager II, Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Walmart Inc.
• John Pluhowski, Chief Communications Officer at TD Bank

As advocates say, ‘Nothing about us, without us,’ businesses too must include people with disabilities in the conception, development and execution of products and services, rather than just serving people with disabilities as a target market at the end of the operational cycle. Attend this session to learn from companies who have done this well and the faux pas they've observed along the way. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the intersection between marketing & accessibility.  
2. Create ‘feedback loops’ to receive and use feedback from people with disabilities to ensure product/service is experienced as intended.
3. Learn how to work cross functionally within a company to make sure the internal team is ready and aligned before the product and/or service goes to market in order to prevent bad intentions.

Moderator:

• Rebecca Roussell, Vice President, DEI Communications at Current Global

Panelists:

• Apoorva Gandhi, Vice President, Multicultural Affairs and Business Councils at Marriott International
• Trevor Hutchinson, Customer Supply Chain Director / NA People with Disabilities Network Leader at Procter & Gamble
• KR Liu, Head of Brand Accessibility at Google

During this session, hear from executives at Current Global about their agency-wide commitment that every piece of communication they develop, curate and publish on behalf of themselves and their clients will meet the highest accessibility standards.

Then join a panel of corporate leaders about the power of embracing disability across your brand. Disability inclusion spans beyond designing an accessible product. Leading brands are realizing that they need to understand and include disability representation across their advertising, marketing, and brand representation. This session will be led by creatives with disabilities and feature actionable steps to ensure that your brand is truly embracing people with disabilities.

Remarks:

• Becky Kekula, Director, Disability Equality Index at Disability:IN

Moderator:

• Holli Martinez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at T-Mobile

Panelists:

• KR Liu, Head of Brand Accessibility at Google
• Storm Smith, Producer & Diversity Inclusion Accessibility Lead at BBDO Los Angeles
• Bryan Stromer, Microsoft Product Marketing Manager and Founder, Disability in Marketing at Microsoft

Presentation:

• George Coleman, Co-CEO at Current Global
• Virginia Devlin, Co-CEO at Current Global
• Sena Pottackal, Junior Associate, Client Experience, DEI & Corporate Comms at Current Global
• Rebecca Roussell, Vice President, DEI Communications at Current Global