9th Annual Inclusion Summit Seeks to Improve + Celebrates Successes Surrounding Equity in Action

The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s 9th Inclusion Summit took place on Nov. 10, 2021 at the Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Campus with an option to join in virtually. The event, which focused on the theme of “Equity in Action,” included a packed agenda, with speakers covering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) topics designed to make an impact with Greater Des Moines (DSM) business leaders and help them build equity-centered systems within their organizations.

Watch the Inclusion Summit’s CEO DEI roundtable discussion, featuring Renee Christoffer (Veridian Credit Union), Suzanna de Baca (Business Publications Corporation), Dr. Angela Franklin (Des Moines University) and Moderator Jay Byers (Partnership) below:

Watch Kerrien (Kay) Suarez, executive director of Equity in the Center (EiC), discuss building a race equity culture below:

Watch Kenji Yoshino, New York University School of Law, discuss a new model of DEI and belonging below:

2021 Inclusion Award Winners

At the Inclusion Summit, four Inclusion Award winners were also announced to honor organizations who have gone above and beyond to champion DEI efforts. This year’s winners included two large businesses, those with more than 500 employees (Hy-Vee, Inc., Wells Fargo), one medium-sized business with 151-500 employees (NCMIC) and one small-sized business with 1-150 employees (United Way of Central Iowa). See more on the 2021 Inclusion Award winners here. Watch the Inclusion Award celebration below:

Greater Des Moines (DSM) welcomes diverse talent to the region. As one of the fastest growing business communities, inclusion and attracting diverse talent in the workplace is a key strategy of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Learn more here.