Diversity Summit - Leveling Up: Action, Empowerment, & Impact

Agenda:

• 8:00 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. - Registration/Breakfast and a short performance by a Musicopia Drumline

• 8:55 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. - Co-Chairs' Welcome - Sri Atluri and Robin Rosenberg

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP presents: "Belonging at Work: Creating an Inclusive Workplace"

Employers get the best from their employees when they have an inclusive workplace where employees feel safe, respected, and included.  Join Grace Speights, leader of Morgan Lewis's global labor and employment practice and co-leader of Mobilizing for Equality, the firm's task force committed to promoting racial equality and justice, as she leads a discussion on best practices and practical tips for creating a workplace where employees feel they belong and can thrive.

Speaker:

• Grace E. Speights, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - BREAK

10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. - Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP presents: "Tools for Conversations on Sensitive Topics"

In this presentation, Ginene and Maria will engage us in an authentic discussion about the challenges of having sensitive conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. More and more, people are expecting employers and work colleagues to exhibit cultural competence, sensitivity, and humility. We will explore the possible pitfalls and celebrate the benefits of engaging in this challenging work to create and sustain a better workplace culture for everyone.

Speakers:

• Maria L. H. Lewis, Chief Diversity Officer, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
• Ginene A. Lewis, Associate Counsel, Sr. Manager, Vanguard

11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. - LUNCH/TABLE TALK

1:15 P.m. to 2:15 p.m. - Cozen O'Connor presents: "Benchmarking for Success"

This session will be dedicated to a Benchmarking initiative designed to provide organizations benchmarking tools that can enable them to improve the status of underrepresented individuals within their organization.  The discussion will touch on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) across a wide range of functional areas that have been proven relevant for optimization of DEIB impact and results and introduce the Benchmarking survey.

Speakers:

• Dexter R. Hamilton, Member, Cozen O'Connor
• Shakema Appleton, Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Cozen O'Connor
• Keilon Forest, Director of Practice Networks, ACC National Capital Region

2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - BREAK

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Armstrong Teasdale LLP presents: "Deploying DEI: Strategies to Maximize Workforce Engagement Through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion"

Nearly every organization is positioned to further invest in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies as we look to 2022.  However, deploying effective tactics to achieve a sustainable strategy is often easier said than done.  Join Armstrong Teasdale for a working session on DEI.  Hear from in-house counsel about what's working, and perhaps not working, at their organizations.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn from each other and walk away with a strong pulse on the DEI landscape through interactive polling exercises, as well as discuss ideas for implementing effective strategies right away.

Speakers:

• Shelley A. Kinsella, Partner, Armstrong Teasdale LLP
• Carrie Sarhangi Love, Partner, Armstrong Teasdale LLP
• Roberte M. D. Makowski, Ph.D., J.D., Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, FMC Corporation
• Thomas Warnock, Associate General Counsel, Chief of Litigation and Specialties, Corteva Agriscience

3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. - BREAK

3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. - Dechert LLP Presents: "Mentoring: What Makes it Work?"

Mentoring, what makes it work? What's the difference between mentoring and sponsorship? What role do these commitments play in building an inclusive workplace? Having others take interest in your career is one of the keys to individual success.  A strong commitment to mentoring is also crucial to maintaining truly diverse offices and firms.  A panel of in-house attorneys share their experiences as mentors and mentees throughout their careers and what makes for the best mentoring relationships.  They'll also discuss the importance of effective mentoring and sponsorship efforts in creating offices where everyone can thrive.

Speakers:

• Brennan Torregrossa, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Litigation, GlaxoSmithKline
• Geneva Brown, Associate Senior Counsel, Cigna Ventures and Corporate Transactions, Lead Counsel, Cigna Foundation

• Cassandre L. Juste, Senior Counsel - Office of the General Counsel, The Vanguard Group, Inc.

• Alex Dimitrief, Partner, Zeughauser Group (Moderator)

4:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres with a Musical quintet performance by Musicopia

This event is an in-person event, and our region continues to face elevated COVID rates.  Per the City of Philadelphia Health Department, the Westin requires all attendees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.  You will be asked to show your vaccination card at entry.  Masks will be required except while eating or drinking.

Register below.