Leading Belonging Without the Buzzwords
May 6, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Leading Belonging Without the Buzzwords
Building high-trust workplace cultures in a rapidly changing environment
Organizations across industries are navigating changing expectations around workplace culture while also managing uncertainty about language, policies, and organizational risk. Yet employee engagement, retention, and collaboration still depend on whether people feel respected, valued, and connected at work.
This session reframes belonging as a leadership practice rather than a program or initiative. Participants will explore how everyday leadership behaviors shape workplace culture and influence employee experience. Through practical examples and guided reflection, attendees will learn how to foster trust and engagement in ways that align with organizational goals and business outcomes.
Participants will gain:
- A clear understanding of culture as a leadership responsibility
- Practical strategies for building trust and psychological safety
- Tools for strengthening engagement without polarization
- Insight into the connection between belonging, retention, and performance
Sponsored by:
Location
coLab
427 Mendocino Ave #100
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Program Cost
SHRM Member: $30
SHRM Non-Member: $60
Program Speakers
Lorez Bailey is the founder and principal of Lorez Bailey Consulting, advising nonprofit, civic, and community organizations through growth and complexity. Known as “The Connector,” Lorez specializes in strengthening leadership, aligning systems, and fostering inclusive cultures.
With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, workforce development, and community engagement, Lorez blends systems thinking with practical execution. Her background includes executive roles at Chop’s Teen Club and Social Advocates for Youth, and editorial leadership at the North Bay Business Journal.
Lorez serves on the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and several nonprofit boards, including 10,000 Degrees Sonoma County and the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Honored as Woman of the Year by Congressman Mike Thompson in 2019, Lorez is recognized for her advocacy and leadership in youth development.
Her consulting practice is rooted in the belief that organizations thrive through clarity, connection, and strategic action