Name: RISE TOGETHER: Diversity & Talent Summit
Start: 2022-11-15T07:30:00-05:00
End: 2022-11-15T17:00:00-05:00

This event has passed.

Create Great Inclusion: Diversity & Talent Summit

The Grand Rapids Chamber’s annual Diversity & Talent Summit – West Michigan’s premier diversity and inclusion summit – explores the latest DEI trends and builds upon foundational knowledge to enhance business success in an increasingly diverse and global community. CEOs, C-Suite administrators, Chief Diversity Officers, DEI practitioners, human resources professionals, and talent acquisition specialists will receive actionable information and key takeaways to grow their organizational capacity.

New to the summit this year is a full day option. Following the morning program, participants will take a deeper dive into DEI initiatives with work groups. These work group sessions will explore practical steps on a roadmap towards igniting, implementing and innovating effective DEI. Participants are grouped based on where they’re at in their organizational DEI journey, allowing for deeper conversations on best practices, actionable takeaways, and peer connections. Summit participants may register to attend the full day session, or the morning session only.

Tuesday, November 15
Morning Session: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon Session: 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
J.W. Marriott Grand Rapids: International Ballroom

Members Full Day: $275.00 / Non-Members Full Day: $350.00
Members Morning Session: $150.00 / Non-Members Morning Session: $200.00

Registration for this event is now closed.
Limited seats will be available for walk-in registrations at the door.

Featured Speakers

Renée Cummings | Professor of Practice in Data Science, University of Virginia

Renée Cummings is a data ethicist, criminologist and international criminal justice consultant who specializes in Artificial Intelligence (AI); ethical AI, bias in AI, diversity and inclusion in AI, algorithmic authenticity and accountability, data integrity and equity, AI for social good and social justice in AI policy and governance. Foreseeing trends and anticipating disruptions, she’s committed to diverse and inclusive AI strategy development; using AI to empower and transform communities and cultures; securing diverse and inclusive participation in the 4IR, helping companies navigate the AI landscape and developing future AI leaders.

Steve L. Robbins, Ph.D. | Chief “What If” Officer, S.L. Robbins and Associates

A powerful storyteller with a powerful story to tell, Dr. Steve L. Robbins has an uncanny ability to inspire people, even in the midst of disrupting and challenging the ways they think about the world. Born in Vietnam, Dr. Robbins immigrated as a little child with his mother to the United States where they faced many challenges during a time when there was much anti-war and anti-Vietnamese sentiment. Working through and rising out of the challenges of poverty, discrimination and the tough streets of Los Angeles, Dr. Robbins now brings insightful perspectives on issues of inclusion & innovation, leadership, and the power of caring. The inclusive power of his message are why organizations like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Disney, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, Pepsi, Pixar, NASA, The NBA, Walmart and numerous others call on Dr. Robbins to inspire, educate and prepare their people for the exciting challenges of dynamic and diverse environments. Dr. Robbins earned an undergraduate degree in Communication from Calvin College, and his masters and doctorate in Communication Science from Michigan State University.

Angela Thompkins | Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Consumers Energy

Angela Thompkins leads Consumers Energy’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) and Strategic Talent Sourcing teams. Under Thompkins’ leadership, the company’s DE&I initiatives have been recognized by Forbes, Diversity Inc, Military Times, Best for Vets, Corporate Equality Index, Corp! Magazine, National Organization on Disability, and Montel Williams’ Military Makeover. Most recently, Thompkins was recognized as a 2020 Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence honoree, a 2021 Top Diversity Officer by the Energy Inclusion Conference and a 2021 Corp! Magazine Salute to Diversity Business Leaders award recipient. Thompkins serves on the boards of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, Michigan Diversity Council, American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) Michigan and the Advisory Council for the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University, a juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in labor and employment law from Wayne State University Law School.

Margaret-Mary G. Wilson, MD | Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealth Group

Margaret-Mary Wilson, M.D., was named Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealth Group in December 2021. Dr. Wilson helps advance the company’s clinical innovations and lead efforts to develop a modern, sustainable high-performing health system that addresses critical needs and opportunities around improving health equity, expanding access, lowering costs, and improving outcomes and experiences for patients, payers, and providers. Her experience includes direct patient care, medical education, patient safety, quality improvement, risk management, and global healthcare systems management in a variety of health care settings in Africa, the United Kingdom, South America, and the United States.

In 2021, Dr. Wilson was named one of the Top 100 most influential African Americans in Business by the National Diversity Council and one of the Top 100 elite women in 2021 by Diversity Journal. She has published more than 70 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and textbooks.

Summit Chair

Christina Keller | President & CEO, Cascade Engineering

Cascade Engineering is focused on having a positive impact on society, the environment and being financially successful as a Triple Bottom Line, B certified, and Woman-owned Business. Headquartered in West Michigan, Cascade Engineering employs over 1,300 people globally and is focused on being an innovative employer of choice with the safest, heathiest workforce with opportunities for learning & development and a culture of engaged employees.

President & CEO, Christina Keller, is on the Board of Directors for Independent Bank, the Economics Club of Grand Rapids and Paragon Die & Engineering. She also helps support the community through her involvement with the Housing Stability Alliance for Kent County. Christina holds an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University and a BA from Boston College. She also holds a certificate in Economics from American University and a certificate in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University.

Work Group Facilitators

Amari Brown, MSW | Inclusion Program Manager, Grand Rapids Chamber

Amari Brown has a passion for people and making an impact in the community. Throughout her career she has focused on advocating for equity across communities. Amari received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Hope College, and recently received her master’s degree in social work (concentration in policy and political social work) from the University of Michigan. She has DEI experience in academic and business spaces and has done work in racial justice and policy advocacy at non-profits and grassroots organizations in the Midwest. Most recently, Amari has been welcomed to the Chamber team as the Inclusion Program Manager. In this role, Amari is responsible for supporting the Chamber’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, offering data-driven guidance to support an inclusive and equitable business environment. Amari driven by the desire to make our community a place where everyone can thrive.

Koleta Moore | Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Graduate Program Operations, Grand Valley State University

Koleta Moore is an experienced, higher-education professional with a 30-year career in the field. In that time she has worked in the areas of Business, Career Development, Financial Aid and more. She has a passion for educating and empowering individuals in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and a vision of inclusion and equity that impacts the institution, community, and those around her. Her education in Public Administration, experience in higher education and lived experiences give her a unique perspective that serves to drive change in others.

Tamela Spicer | Senior Program Manager, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

As a certified executive coach, Tamela Spicer seeks to guide sector leaders and organizations on a path to discover how they can work within their own ecosystems to create community change grounded in justice and belonging. Recognizing her own privilege as a white, cis-gender woman, she intentionally works to call out and help dismantle white supremacy culture and its power in the philanthropic sector and in her own personal life. Previously, Tamela founded and served as the principal of a boutique consulting practice specializing in board development, strategic doing and thinking, and navigating change. After several years in the business sector, she pursued her passion for community impact and justice as a regional development director for The Salvation Army, regional director for the Arthritis Foundation, and executive director for Flat River Outreach Ministries.