Engage, Empower & Act 2020 Economic Inclusion Conference
posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 in Grow Cedar Valley

Grow Cedar Valley and the University of Northern Iowa are excited to announce the 2020 Economic Inclusion Conference: Engage, Empower & Act.
The conference will be Oct. 8th & 9th in a two-day virtual event. The first day will include a two-hour session with speakers, breakouts, and content that is open to all. The second day will feature a partial day conference featuring talented and engaging speakers.
Attendance is encouraged for community leaders, human resources professionals, recruiters, educators, and anyone invested in developing inclusion strategies for the Cedar Valley. This event will foster the exchange of new ideas and approaches for meaningful and impactful diversity and inclusion.
Attendees are eligible for 8 hours of SHRM & HRCI credit.
The following video outlines Economic Inclusion in the Cedar Valley and the value it can bring. Thank you to AMPERAGE Marketing and Fundraising for putting this video together for the conference.
We want to extend a huge thank you to the University of Northern Iowa for their partnership and the work they did to ensure this event was a success.
We also want to thank the event sponsors. Without their contribution, the event could not be held at the scale that it was held.
Register Today!
Registration closes 10/7/2020 at 12:00 PM
Agenda
October 8, 2020
1:00 PM - Introduction
-
Hosts
- Ron Steele, KWWL
- Tavis Hall, Experience Waterloo
- Felicia Smith-Nalls, City of Waterloo
1:05 PM - Let's Be Honest - Video Introduction
1:20 PM - Let's Be Honest - Video Response Panel
2:15 PM - Break
2:20 PM - Let's Be Honest: The Challenge of Leading
- Panelists
- Dr. Kingsley Botchway, Chief Officer of Human Resources and Equity, Waterloo Community School District
- Dr. Jim Wohlpart, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Northern Iowa
- Dr. Todd Holcomb, President, Hawkeye Community College
- Dr. Nafissa Cisse Egbuonye, Director, Black Hawk County Health Department
October 9, 20208:00 AM - Kick-Off Address
8:00 AM - Let's Be Honest Introduction Video
8:10 AM - Let's Be Honest...An Emergency of Urgency
- Cary Darrah, President & CEO, Grow Cedar Valley
- Mayor Rob Green, Cedar Falls, IA
- Mayor Quentin Hart, Waterloo, IA
- Dr. Todd Holcomb, President, Hawkeye Community College
- Dr. Mark Nook, President, University of Northern Iowa
- Kyle Roed, Human Resources Director, CPM Roskamp
8:50 AM - Economic Inclusion Overview
- Sharina Sallis, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, CUNA Mutual Group
- Will Frost, Director of Talent Development, Grow Cedar Valley
8:55 AM - Break
9:00 AM - Keynote
- Rick Coleman, Sports Director, KWWL
- Kevin Warren, Commissioner, Big Ten
- Dr. Mark Nook, President, University of Northern Iowa
9:55 AM - Break
10:00 AM - Let's Be Honest EE&A Training Sessions (Engage, Empower & Act) for Your Organization
11:00 AM - Let's Be Honest EE&A Training Sessions (Engage, Empower & Act) for Your Organization Cont.
12:00 PM - Let's Be Honest EE&A Training Sessions (Engage, Empower & Act) for Your Organization Cont.
- Workforce Strategies: Can You See Me? I have a
disABILITY!
- Moderator: Kyle Roed, Human Resources Director, CPM Roskamp
- Moderator: Sherman Wise, Branch Manager, Premier Staffing
- TeriLynn Jorgensen, Iowa Human Rights Persons with Disabilities Commission
- Emmanual Smith, Disability Rights Iowa
- Workforce Strategies: Just Cedar Valley Nice? Good to Great...Welcoming Immigrants & Refugees
- Moderator: Tavis Hall, Executive Director, Experience Waterloo
- Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez, LULAC and Human Rights Commission
- Mariah Morgan, EMBARC
- KEEPING YOUR HEAD: Prioritizing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Midst of a Crisis
- Moderator: Sharina Sallis, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, CUNA Mutual Group
- Jamie Chidozie, Director for Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice, University of Northern Iowa
- Rhonda McRina, Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Hawkeye Community College
- Corye Johnson, Veterans Affairs
- Timi Brown-Powers, Representative, House District 61
12:50 PM - Break
1:00 PM - Choose Your Plenary Lab: Engage, Empower & Act Under the Microscope
- Hmm.. So you have a Diversity plan... now what?
- Moderator: Dr. Beverly Smith
- Therese Stevens, COO, Braceability
- Amber Youngblut, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Vice President of Human Resources, Geater Machining & Manufacturing, Co.
- IMPACTED: Racial Trauma/Mental Health
- Shantila Caston, LISW, Mental Health Therapist/Diversity Outreach Specialist, University of Northern Iowa
- Melissa Payne, Kirkwood Community College
1:50 PM - Wrap Up
Register Today!
Registration closes 10/7/2020 at 12:00 PM