Lineup Announced for Partnership’s Inclusion Summit
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 21, 2022) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the keynote speakers and panelist lineup for its 10th Annual Inclusion Summit scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the FFA Enrichment Center at the Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Campus. The event's theme is "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): It Makes Dollars and Sense," and attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about what equity means and discover tools and resources to build equity-centered practices, systems and organizations.
Keynote speakers for the Summit include Tim Wise and Dr. David DeLong. The event will also feature a CEO DEI panel discussion and a DSM 4 Equity Collective panel discussion with leaders from Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses and organizations. The 2022 Inclusion Award winners will also be announced at the event.
Wise will present “Good Intentions are Not Enough: Why Equity Requires Transformative Thinking and Mindset Change.” Wise is among the most prominent writers and educators on issues of race and racial equity in the United States. He has spent the past 27 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, on more than 1,500 college campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, and to community groups, government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the country about methods for dismantling racism in their institutions. Wise is the author of nine books, including his latest essay collection, “Dispatches from the Race War,” and his highly acclaimed memoir, “White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son.”
DeLong will present on “Lessons from the Leading Edge: Leveraging Marginalized Workers in Today’s Economy.” DeLong helps leaders identify practical solutions to critical skill shortages and workplace challenges in an uncertain economic environment. President of Smart Workforce Strategies, DeLong is an author, speaker and consultant who has also been a research fellow at the MIT AgeLab. His forthcoming book is “Hidden Talent: Lessons From Training & Employing Marginalized Workers.” DeLong has spoken for and consulted with organizations such as Microsoft, MasterCard, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and many more.
“We are excited to welcome renowned keynote speakers and host community leaders for important discussions at the Inclusion Summit,” said Dr. Marvin DeJear, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at The Partnership. “Attendees will leave the conference with a better understanding of how implementing DEI best practices will make their organizations more profitable and welcoming to diverse talent.”
Learn more, find the latest updates and register on The Partnership’s website.
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 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, 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 DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.