A- A+

2nd Annual Executive Forum On Diversity And Inclusion To Be Held November 19, 2014

October 30, 2014

Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual Executive Forum on Diversity and Inclusion scheduled for Nov. 19, 2014. Presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and sponsored by Wells Fargo and Veridian Credit Union, the event’s purpose is to facilitate a dialogue on diversity and inclusion-related issues and initiatives in the workplace and community.

The event will feature keynote speaker Sandy Harris, Vice President Corporate Diversity Strategy & Internal Operations at Sodexo. Sodexo is ranked #2 on the DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity in 2014. Breakout sessions following the keynote presentation will allow attendees to select one of three speakers or panels:

  • “Global Talent Development,” with Michael Patrick, Global Vice President of Human Resources, DuPont Pioneer. Pioneer is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics and provides high-quality seeds to farmers around the world. Patrick will share his perspective on how diversity and inclusion initiatives support and drive talent acquisition and retention. 
  • “Being in Iowa,” with Rob Dillard, Interim News Director & Correspondent, Iowa Public Radio. Dillard will present and facilitate discussion on his reporting experience in Iowa and play samples of his work over the years reporting on people from other countries who have built their lives and careers in central Iowa.
  • “OpportUNITY: Creating Prosperity for All,” a panel discussion on how to create prosperity for all in the community. The panel will include Bob Brownell, Polk County Supervisor, Tom Narak, Retired Superintendent of West Des Moines Schools, Kris Schechinger, Director of Corporate Citizenship at Nationwide, Teree Caldwell-Johnson, Director of Oakridge Neighborhood and Des Moines School Board Member, and Elisabeth Buck, Chief Community Impact Officer at United Way of Central Iowa.

The event will take place from 7:45 a.m. to Noon at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn Conference Center, 6111 Fleur Drive.

The day’s agenda will be as follows:

7:45 - 8:30 a.m. — Registration, continental breakfast, and open networking
8:30 - 9 a.m. — Opening remarks, introductions, Inclusion magazine unveiling
9 – 10 a.m.— Keynote address with Q&A session
10 - 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 - 11:45 a.m. — Breakout sessions

The Forum is free to attend. To register, go to desmoinesmetro.com/events. For more information, contact Nathan Ritz at (515) 286-4937 or by email at nritz@DSMpartnership.com. Media Inquiries should be directed to Susan Ramsey at (515) 286-4954 or by email at sramsey@DSMpartnership.com.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce and more than 6,000 Regional Business Members, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes Des Moines as the best place to build a business, a career and a future.