CLEVELAND — The Commission on Economic Inclusion’s fourth annual diversity professionals conference, held recently at Corporate College East, scored a significant coup for its members by spotlighting six national innovators speaking about their corporate inclusion
Now in its 11th year, the Commission on Economic Inclusion, a program of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 Northeast Ohio employers who are committed to making the region’s diversity a source of economic strength
Cleveland,Ohio— The Commission on Economic Inclusion’s fourth annual diversity professionals conference, held recently at Corporate College East, scored a significant coup for its members by spotlighting six national innovators speaking about their corporate inclusion strategies.
The 2012 Innovation Fest! Midwest Region conference, which drew about 225Northeast Ohiodiversity professionals and senior executives, was presented in partnership with DiversityInc, a nationally recognized diversity and inclusion resource.
It featured a series of fast-paced, 30-minute presentations by national and global corporations on one of their innovative diversity programs or initiatives.
The format, developed by DiversityInc, provided attendees with examples of proven policies and practices that connect the benefits of diversity management to business goals. The conference also offered participants HR Certification Institute (HRCI) credits for their attendance.
Corporate presenters and their topics were:
- James Norman, Kraft Foods: “Helping New Managers Understand the Corporate Culture”
- Carolyn Clift, Healthcare Services Corp.: “Business Resource Groups: Leadership Development & Business Outcomes”
- Dave Orrender and Tim Turner,ToyotaMotorNorth America: “Helping People with Disabilities Reach Their Highest Vocational Potential”
- Jerome Richard, Coca-Cola: “Identifying and Acquiring Military Talent”
- Sylvester Mendoza, Northrop Grumman, “STEM Education Strategy”
- Al Calalang, AT&T: “EmployeeResourceGroupAcademy”
- National diversity thought leader delivers keynote remarks
Luke Visconti, CEO and founder of DiversityInc Media, a nationally recognized thought leader on issues and trends in corporate and workplace inclusion, provided keynote remarks to open and close the conference. Visconti directs the editorial and business operations of DiversityIncmagazine, as well as five major events that have averaged more than 600 attendees from 200 companies and featured more than 20 CEOs of major corporations.
He also developed and directs the methodology for The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity, now in its 13th year, and established the benchmarking consulting practice that is the core of DiversityInc’s business. His column, “Ask the White Guy,” is a top draw on DiversityInc.com.
Now in its 11th year, the Commission on Economic Inclusion, a program of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, is a broad-based coalition of more than 100Northeast Ohioemployers who are committed to making the region’s diversity a source of economic strength. It serves as a catalyst for advancing economic inclusion in theNortheast Ohiobusiness community. For more information, visit www.commission-inclusion.com.
The Innovation Fest! Midwest Region conference was generously sponsored by Commission member organizations: American Greetings, Forest City Enterprises, Summa Health System, Thompson Hine LLP, Lubrizol Corporation, Energizer, Huntington Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Parker Hannifin Corporation, MetroHealth System, Medical Mutual, Key Corp, Time Warner Cable, and United Airlines.
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Special to the NNPA from the Call & Post