PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The field of Workplace Diversity & Inclusion is a challenging and exciting career for individuals who seek to create positive changes in organizations. If you make this career choice you must be more than "passionate believers." You must also possess effective leadership, business savvy, knowledge of organization change and group dynamics, self-awareness, and the ability to negotiate and influence. 

For those who are new to the field or those who wish to begin a career in Diversity & Inclusion management, this one-day workshop introduces the broad range of knowledge, tasks and competencies necessary to practice effectively in the twenty-first century. This is an interactive session based on cutting-edge research, best practices, and real-life case studies. It is led by dynamic, expert facilitators with more than 10 years of experience in the field.

Presenters: Shirley Davis Sheppard, Ph.D., vice president of Diversity & Inclusion; and Eric Peterson, MSOD, manager of Diversity & Inclusion, SHRM, Alexandria, Va.

As Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, Dr. Davis Sheppard is a well-respected thought leader on global workplace diversity issues and has successfully positioned SHRM as the leader in the diversity and inclusion field. She spearheaded the largest global study done on diversity and inclusion practices, perceptions, and attitudes, published in 2009. In 2008 and 2010, she convened 200 global thought leaders from 15 countries to identify key challenges and innovative solutions for the global 21st century workforce. Dr. Davis Sheppard is co-leading an effort to identify and launch the first ever D&I standards of practice for the field through The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and The International Standards Organization (ISO)—two of the most widely recognized and globally accepted organizations for standards creation.

As Manager of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Eric works directly with the Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives to position SHRM as a leader in the diversity management and inclusion field. He acts as a thought leader, champion, and project lead in the design and implementation of innovative diversity strategies. Additionally, Eric will work with SHRM Staff to effectively respond to member inquiries regarding the SHRM Diversity Initiative; manage selected partnerships and alliances established by SHRM; and represent SHRM in interactions with external diversity-related organizations.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

As diversity professionals, we are the facilitators of conversations throughout our organizations and communities that are designed to open the minds and hearts of people and change their behaviors. And yet, we all still have our own blind spots that can get in the way of our doing our work effectively. The purpose of this day-long session will be to take some time to explore our own internal perspectives on diversity and leadership, and to devleop a better understanding of how we can bring a greater level of presence to our work so that we can be more effective in producing the results we are committed to producing. Questions that will be addressed include:

• What are the experiences, beliefs and mental models that might impact our ability to do the work?
• How might we get in our own way and sabotage our success?
• What are the unconscious or implicit beliefs that we may have that might prevent us from generating true inclusion?
• What tools can we develop that can help us be more present to the job at hand rather than be doing it from past-based thinking?
• What kind of support network do we need to create in order to sustain us over the long haul?