Women's Leadership Alliance - Diversity Works: Benefits, Challenges and Solutions

Description

***Please Call (845) 454-1700 Ext. 1000 for Reservations

Keynote Speaker, Gregory Owens, Deputy Commissioner, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Owens will introduce the topic of recruitment and retention of diverse populations in the workplace. A highly regarded speaker, presenter and trainer, his accessible approach appeals to people with multiple levels of awareness regarding diversity and inclusion.
 
Breakout Sessions:
 
·      No One Left Behind, Disability and Workforce Diversity, Doug Hovey President & CEO, Independent Living Inc.
This interactive session will explore cultural transformation within small businesses using best practice modalities and tools for recruiting, hiring and managing people with disabilities as a part of a thriving workplace. Tone at the top and authentic leadership that transcends throughout an organization can create a dynamic culture that makes a company a catalyst for social change while improving their bottom line. Diversity, inclusive of people with disabilities in the workplace is good business!
 
·      How to Improve Gender Diversity in the Workplace, Lorraine Lopez-Janove, Chief Diversity Officer SUNY Orange, SUNY Sullivan & SUNY Ulster
It's a known fact that diversity is imperative in all workplaces. In most industries and sectors, the people served are more diverse than the people serving them—which doesn’t bode well for understanding their needs. To better serve your customers and clients, it’s important to cultivate gender diversity in the workplace. This goes beyond equal representation of males and females, as it should also include those with a non-binary gender identity. This workshop will cover several practices to put in place to achieve gender-equality.
 
·      Attracting and retaining LGBTQ employees, Jeff Rindler, Executive Director, Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
Creating an LGBTQ affirming environment in your workplace is the first step in attracting and retaining qualified individuals from the LGBTQ community. In this interactive session we will articulate strategies to ensure your business/agency is welcoming to the LGBTQ community, tips on inclusive language to use when creating job descriptions and policies and procedures, and discuss challenges you may have in engaging the community.
 
·      Overcoming Barriers to Recruiting and Retaining ‘Diverse’ Employees, Wendy Amengual Wark, Founding Partner, Inclusion Strategy Solutions LLC
This session will explore the unintentional impact of bias on recruitment and retention efforts and how to overcome these barriers by implementing effective policies and protocols that create and support inclusive, collaborative work environments.