Greetings,
It is my privilege to welcome you to our 15th Annual Diversity & Leadership Conference. The theme for this year’s Diversity & Leadership Conference is Inclusion: The Time is Now. Since the inception of the conference, we have made great strides in fostering an environment for diversity and inclusion in organizations across the world. However, the lack of diversity in the C-Suites and Board Rooms of these organizations signifies that there is still much more work to be done. To achieve the goals of increased diversity in leadership, organizations must constantly strive for change and promote environments of inclusion, while also educating employees on the importance of diversity and inclusion policies.
It is important to note that organizations must be innovative and creative in their diversity and inclusion efforts if they want to remain competitive in today's global economy. One such effort is actively seeking to mold leaders and encourage employee engagement on every level of the organizational infrastructure. Doing so will ensure organizational objectives are not merely fulfilled, but exceeded.
Our five-day conference will afford organizations the opportunity to explore tools and resources necessary to build diverse workforces and remain competitive on the global stage. The event will also provide a valuable opportunity for individuals to network together and grow in their knowledge of diversity and leadership, which can be utilized to craft long and distinguished careers. Finally, our speakers and various panel sessions will offer valuable perspectives on a plethora of topics, including the creation of a diverse workforce, essential leadership skills, personal branding, and diversity and inclusion best practices.
I encourage you to join us — and not only actively participate with your colleagues, but also take your newly-acquired knowledge back to your organization and share it with your coworkers, managers, and senior leadership, so you can help to promote a diverse and inclusive environment for all.
I would like to take this time to thank our sponsors who see the value in our Diversity and Leadership Conference and continue to provide financial support to keep us going. I also want to acknowledge our speakers and panelists who have made a commitment to participate in the conference. Finally, I would like to thank the conference organizers and volunteers who work diligently to bring you a top-notch conference.
Sincerely,
Dennis Kennedy
Founder & Chairman
National Diversity Council
[email protected]