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.

View Agenda

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.

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

Healthcare Disparities in COVID-19 - Impact on Your Organization
- Moderator: Mayor Rob Green, Cedar Falls, IA
- Dr. Nafissa Cisse Egbuonye, Director, Black Hawk County Health Department
Black Lives Matter - Activism in Action
- Moderator: Jamie Chidozie, Director for Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice, University of Northern Iowa
- Joyce Levingston, One City
- Stacey Walker, Linn County Board of Supervisors
- Anthony Arrington, Managing Partner, Top RANK
Lawyer Up? Legality of Diversity
- Moderator: Felicia Smith-Nalls, City of Waterloo, IA
- Beth Hansen

11:00 AM - Let's Be Honest EE&A Training Sessions (Engage, Empower & Act) for Your Organization Cont.

Benefits of Being Proactive: Intentional Embracing of LGBTQ Issues, Individuals & Interests
- Moderator: James Hoelscher, Program Manager, University of Northern Iowa Institute for Decision Making
- Dr. Dwight Eisenman, Maximus
- Gina Weekley, At Risk Student Supports Coordinator and District Summer Program Coordinator, Waterloo Community Schools
- Chris Schwartz, President, The National Association of Counties LGBTQ Leaders and Allies, Black Hawk Co. Board of Supervisoes
E3 - Ensuring Economic Equity
- Moderator: Joy Briscoe, Waterloo Community School District
- Robert Smith, Executive Director, University Of Northern Iowa - Center for Urban Education
- Gwenne Berry, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Northern Iowa
- Dr. Kingsley Botchway, Chief Officer of Human Resources and Equity, Waterloo Community School District
Colored Lens of White Privilege
- Moderator - Tara Thomas, Communications Director, Waterloo Community School District
- Lisa Speicher Munoz, Associate Professor, Hawkeye Community College
- Kathy Kratchmer, Meyer Pharmacy
- Dr. Annette Duncan, Instructional Coach, Waterloo Community School District
- Dr. Susan Hill, Professor of Religion and Head of the Department of Philosophy and World Religions, University of Northern Iowa
- Dr. Brittany Flokstra, Instructor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Iowa

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 ~~dis~~ABILITY!
- 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

Registration closes 10/7/2020 at 12:00 PM