Join experts and peers before the official Summit starts for a series of optional immersive sessions that support you as you apply DEI principles and theory to practical organizational scenarios. These workshops will feature focused-explorations into relevant, critical skills that are a required element of every DEI practitioner's repertoire. Seats are limited and access is on a first-come, first-served basis. All sessions are 3-hours each. Summit attendees can add these sessions to their registration for a reduced fee. SHRM PDC's will be awarded.

Choose one session. 10 am - 1 pm ET

Option 1: Leading Transformation and Change in a New Era

Facilitated by Andrés Tapia, Senior Client Partner and Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategist, Korn Ferry

Join this think tank to develop strategies together to chart a strong future and create a world that works for all. Much of our known context has been disrupted, which requires a wholesale inventory of what has and has not changed -- and, therefore, what will work and not work going forward.  This disruption – as unsettling as it is – creates space for us culture transformation and change leaders to pause, reset, and reimagine the work. This means shaping new approaches and programs as well as identifying the core leadership competencies that will be transferable to the new context and the new skills and traits that will be required.

Option 2: Creating Sustainable, Mission-Aligned DEI Strategies

Facilitated by Kevin Carter

 In an era of increasing organizational and societal polarization, leaders must cultivate cultures of trust, resilience, and alignment. This session explores how to gain buy-in from leadership and key stakeholders to embed DEI into organizational culture, mission, and goals—while navigating resistance and change fatigue with intention. Participants will be introduced to a holistic, research-informed framework that integrates risk management, change readiness, and psychological safety to support sustainable, systemic transformation. Through models like IDI, ADKAR, and Kubler-Ross, attendees will unpack how mindset, behavior, and emotional shifts can drive inclusive leadership. Discover how to combine top-down and bottom-up approaches, link DEI outcomes with business metrics, and move from reactive to responsive strategies using practical tools and reflective dialogue.

Choose one session.  2pm - 5 pm ET

Option 1: Be BOLD: Lead Inclusively

Facilitated by Priya Dhingra Klocek 

Equip yourself with the tools and insights to foster a truly inclusive workplace. Learn practical strategies to lead with awareness, empathy, and accountability. Using The Winters Group’s BOLD Framework™, explore how your own biases and experiences shape workplace interactions, learn the importance of actively fostering a culture of inclusion, and gain insights into differing perspectives. Leave with a deeper commitment to demonstrating inclusive behaviors in your daily leadership practices.

Option 1: Preparing Your Organization for Bold, Inclusive Conversations® 

Facilitated by Mary-Frances Winters and Mareisha N. Winters Reese

Given our extremely polarized sociopolitical climate, conversations about race, religion, and politics are happening every day at work. If these conversations are not handled effectively, they can become divisive, impacting productivity, engagement, retention, teamwork, and even employees’ sense of psychological safety.  Learn methods based on the award winning book We Can’t Talk about That at Work: How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics, co-authored by Mary-Frances Winters and Mareisha N. Winters Reese to create spaces where inclusive conversations are possible that foster reciprocal empathy, deeper understanding of differences and ultimately better working environments for everyone.