Welcome to the Increase Diversity™ Virtual Summit Experience
Powered by Jennifer Tardy Consulting
Join us for How do I say it?: effective Language to use for inclusive recruitment and retention strategies
october 16-17, 2024
11:00 am ET - 2:15 pm ET
This program has been pre-approved for (11 hours of recertification credit hours & HR General credit type) toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
Jennifer Tardy Consulting is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.
General Admission Tickets Available Now!
Registration will be sold in three allotments. Once a tier is sold out, it automatically moves to the next price tier. All prices are in US dollars.
SOLD OUT - Tier 1: $99
NOW OPEN - Tier 2: $199
Tier 3: $299
Our Increase Diversity™ Summit Experience 2024 Sponsors
About: Identifying, Decoding, Recognizing & Challenging The Language We Use in Workplace Recruiting
Have you ever found yourself in a moment, searching for the right words, worried that what you might say could unintentionally offend someone?
Building on the impactful groundwork laid by our first Increase Diversity™ Summit, which explored "Who is Qualified?" tackling bias in recruitment and retention, we shift our focus to the equally vital question: "How Do I Say It?". The 2024 Increase Diversity™ Virtual Summit Experience will guide participants through the complexities of Effective Language for Inclusive Recruitment and Retention Strategies.
Who Should Attend?
This conference would be especially beneficial to anyone who directly hires or influences hiring, including workplace leaders and executives, DEI practitioners, Recruiters (corporate and agency), Human Resource Teams, Human Resources Managers, Hiring Leaders, and Career Coaches.
How Do I Say It? Why Inclusive Language Is At the Forefront of Your Diversity Recruiting Strategy
Navigating the nuances of diversity recruiting can feel daunting. Many leaders, recruiters, hiring managers, and interview teams hesitate, not from a lack of commitment to diversity but from a fear of misspeaking or inadvertently causing harm. This apprehension can stem from:
The worry of using ineffective language might create more harm than good.
The concern of facing backlash for something you’ve communicated despite good intentions.
Recognizing and overcoming these fears are essential steps forward. The language we choose plays a pivotal role—it can either create inclusive environments where everyone feels seen and heard or unintentionally exclude and alienate.
Meet Our Fireside Chat Hosts
Jenn Tardy (she/her)
Jackye Clayton (she/her)
Meet The Speakers
Winston clements | Global Keynote Speaker & Disability Advocate
How Do I Say It? Theme: Disability
ABOUT WINSTON (he/him) | Winston Clements, a Keynote Speaker and Disability Advocate, specializes in unconscious bias, disability awareness, and anti-racism. Born with brittle bones disease, he has endured over 200 fractures and uses a wheelchair.
Despite this, he champions a life without limits. Featured as a TED Speaker, Winston has over 500,000 social media followers and collaborates with global brands like Google, EY, and Disney. He's also appeared on BBC, Good Morning America, and Today Show.
Connect with Winston on LinkedIn.
ROBYN GRABLE | Navy Veteran and CEO at Talents ASCEND
How Do I Say It? Theme: Veterans
ABOUT ROBYN (she/her) | Robyn Grable, Founder and CEO of Talents ASCEND, Inc. and Veterans ASCEND, part of The ASCEND Collective (501c3), helps employers create inclusive talent acquisition strategies for military talent, people with disabilities, and justice-involved candidates.
With 30+ years in private sector HR and nine years in the U.S. Navy, she is a leading advocate for removing employment barriers for underserved talent pools. Recognized as a 2023 GSA and 2024 Columbia Regional Business Report Woman of Influence, she created skills assessment programs at McDonald's and McGraw-Hill and managed Fortune 100 client portfolios at ADP.
Connect with Robyn on LinkedIn.
DR. A.C. FoWlkes | LGBTQ+ Sensitivity and Transgender Inclusion Expert & LinkedIn Top Voice
How Do I Say It? Theme: Gender (Non-Binary)
ABOUT DR. FOWLKES (he/him) | As a transgender man and clinical psychologist, Dr. Fowlkes uniquely blends lived experience and professional expertise as CEO of Fowlkes Consulting, an LGBTQ+ sensitivity and transgender inclusion firm.
With over a decade working in diverse sectors, he helps create inclusive environments. As a Forbes Contributor and Trevor Project board member, he advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
His book, "Transgender Inclusion: All the Things You Want To Ask Your Transgender Coworker But Shouldn’t," provides valuable insights. Dr. Fowlkes, the first out Black transgender man to lead a US psychiatric facility, exemplifies resilience and achievement.
Connect with Dr. Fowlkes on LinkedIn.
Cecilia stanton adams | CEO & DEI Consultant
How Do I Say It? Theme: Sexual Orientation
ABOUT CECILIA (she/her) | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Expert Cecilia Stanton Adams is an award-winning DEI researcher, strategist and keynote speaker.
With an unwavering commitment and a heartfelt calling, Cecilia's journey is not just a career; it's a testament to her life's purpose.
Connect with Cecilia on LinkedIn.
Dr. Gurpreet kaur | Global Women’s Rights Expert & TEDx Speaker
How Do I Say It? Theme: Gender (Binary)
ABOUT DR. KAUR (she/her) | Dr. Gurpreet Kaur is a global women's rights expert and intersectional gender specialist. She holds a B.A. (Hons) and M.A. from the National University of Singapore and a Ph.D. in Gender and Postcolonial Ecofeminism in Literature from the University of Warwick.
An endometriosis survivor, she spent five years in a wheelchair, an experience that deepened her commitment to justice and international law.
Her studies in international human rights law at SOAS, University of London, focused on female violence and terrorism. Combining her expertise, Gurpreet now works in policy, emphasizing gender and human rights. In her free time, she enjoys watching Netflix, writing, and traveling.
Connect with Dr. Kaur on LinkedIn.
Stephanie Ranno | Recruitment Expert & Neurodivergent Inclusion Advocate
How Do I Say It? Theme: Neurodiversity
ABOUT STEPHANIE (she/her) | Stephanie is a distinguished expert in building talented marketing teams, delivering exceptional results in a highly competitive talent market. She guides marketing leaders across industries, including hospitality, finance, healthcare, technology, professional services, and retail, in finding quality candidates for full-time and contract roles.
Through writing, advising, and speaking, she offers insights into evolving trends in employment, hiring, and talent acquisition. Inspired by her children's autism diagnoses, Stephanie passionately advocates for diversity and inclusion, particularly for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, fostering environments where diverse talents thrive.
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn.
Meet The Panelists
How Do I Say It? Panel: Language of Race (Anti-Racism + Inclusion)
Den mondejar | Director, Enterprise & Talent Solutions at Aquent
Moderator
ABOUT DEN (he/him) | For over 15 years, Den has led in various industries developing teams, improving experiences, and championing inclusive practices.
His experience has centered on consulting high-profile brands, fostering dialogues, and implementing data-driven DEI solutions.
Den also sits on Aquent's Diversity Council, Chairs the Program Advisory Committee for one of Texas' largest school systems, and is on the Board of Directors for Young Professionals of Austin.
Connect with Den on LinkedIn.
Sadia hameed | Owner & CEO at Bloom 360 Workplace
Panelist
ABOUT SADIA (she/her) | Sadia has over 20 years in organizational development, strategy design, and network support within international development and social justice. She facilitates difficult conversations with grace and honesty to shift entrenched patterns, helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential.
Through a whole-of-self philosophy, Sadia optimizes talents for full self-expression. As an entrepreneur and solo mom, she balances life’s pressures while pursuing an abundant life. Her initiative, Bloom 360 Workplace, aims to transform lives and enhance efficiency and performance across various sectors and industries.
Connect with Sadia on LinkedIn.
DR. roberta wilburn |President and Principal DEO Consultant at Wilburn & Associates
Panelist
ABOUT ROBERTA (she/her) | Dr. Roberta J. Wilburn, an award-winning DEI expert, bestselling author, and motivational speaker, helps people uncover hidden biases to promote cross-cultural understanding.
As President of Wilburn & Associates, LLC, she uses her R.E.A.L. DEI Framework to teach cultural embrace and disrupt discrimination, using an Afrocentric, faith-inspired approach. Known as The Culture Connoisseur, she runs the “A Cup of Culture and a Taste of Diversity” program and offers "Diversi-TEA."
Dr. Wilburn holds doctorates in Education from George Washington University and Christian Counseling from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. She is married to James Wilburn, Jr., and they have three adult children and three grandsons.
Connect with Roberta on LinkedIn.
Dr. Suzanne wertheim | Founder & CEO at Worthwhile Research & Consulting
Panelist
ABOUT DR. WERTHEIM (she/her) | After getting her Ph.D. in Linguistics from Berkeley, Dr. Wertheim held faculty positions at Northwestern, University of Maryland, and UCLA. In 2011, she left the university system in order to apply her expertise to real-world problems.
Dr. Wertheim has done fieldwork with speakers as diverse as Tatar nationalists in the former Soviet Union, Native Americans in central California, comedians in Los Angeles, and female engineers of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. She now runs Worthwhile Research & Consulting, which specializes in analyzing and addressing bias at work.
At Worthwhile, Dr. Wertheim offers keynotes and workshops based on her original research. She also leads both short-term and long-term consulting engagements. Her clients have included tech giants such as Google and Reddit, financial companies such as Charles Schwab, and national news organizations such as News Nation.
Connect with Dr. Wertheim on LinkedIn.
Christian harris | Founder of Kindred Keynotes & Coaching
Panelist
ABOUT CHRISTIAN (he/him) | Christian Harris is a speaker, coach, and consultant with extensive DEI experience.
He founded Kindred Keynotes and Coaching, providing NPO workers, DEI practitioners, government employees, and social justice advocates with tools to effectively: embed DEI, overcome challenges, and achieve goals.
Connect with Christian on LinkedIn.
Meet The Panelists
How Do I Say It? Panel: Language of Intersectionality
Dr. nika white | President & CEO, Nika White Consulting
Moderator
ABOUT DR. WHITE (she/her) | Dr. Nika White, an award-winning management and leadership consultant, helps maximize the effectiveness, potential, and capacity of people and organizations. Specializing in organizational development, she operationalizes strategic DEIB efforts.
As founder of Nika White Consulting (NWC), she leads a team to make DEI practical, shifting systems to foster belonging. Dr. White is a keynote speaker and author of "Inclusion Uncomplicated: A Transformative Guide to Simplify DEI," published by Forbes Books.
Connect with Dr. White on LinkedIn.
Catarina rivera | Linkedin Top Voice in Disability Advocacy & TEDx Speaker
Panelist
ABOUT CATARINA (she/her) | Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC, is a disability public speaker, DEIA consultant, and content creator with 14+ years in the public sector. She helps companies improve disability awareness, inclusion, and accessibility.
Founder of Blindish Latina, she combats disability stigmas through storytelling and advocacy. Catarina, who has hearing aids and a progressive vision disability, holds degrees from Duke University, Bank Street College of Education, and Hunter College. She is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies and a member of RespectAbility's National Disability Speakers Bureau.
Featured in Nasdaq, POPSUGAR, ABC News Live, and Telemundo, she was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Disability Advocacy. Clients include HarperCollins, LinkedIn, Whole30, and BCG Digital Ventures. Catarina is a TEDx speaker, having spoken at TEDxRolandPark in June 2022.
Connect with Catarina on LinkedIn.
JESSICA PURDY |CEO & Founder at FIC Human Resource Partners
Panelist
ABOUT JESSICA (she/her) | Jessica is a queer transwoman, who is dyslexic, ADHD, and has a movement disorder.
These marginalized identities led her to become an Activist, Public Speaker, and Founder of FIC Human Resource Partners.
Her personal experiences and mindset of ‘bringing people in' have made her an effective culture consultant, facilitator, and change agent.
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn.
Sare gerin | Founder, Facilitator & Trainer at Late Bloomer Coaching
Panelist
ABOUT SARE (they/them) | Sare is passionate about storytelling and authenticity as powerful tools for social change. Centered around the transformational power of connection, Sare empowers individuals to become change agents for themselves and their communities. '
As a coach, team builder, and facilitator, Sare strives to create environments where creativity and belonging thrive; building trust is a cornerstone of their practice.
With a decade of experience in learning and development across private and non-profit sectors, they excel in partnering with leadership teams to embed equity and learning into their organizational structures and practices. Sare brings their expertise in human development, neurodiversity, team-building, improv, and somatic coaching practices to re-imagine what is possible in the delivery of inclusive people-focused initiatives.
Connect with Sare on LinkedIn.
VAL boston iii | Certified Diversity Executive & Coach at Boston & Associates
Panelist
ABOUT VAL (he/him) | Val Boston III’s professional background spans over 25 years in business and leadership roles, with specific experience in human resources, sales process improvement, information technology and telecommunications.
He is currently the Managing Partner and Lead Consultant with Boston and Associates LLC, a Talent Management Consulting firm, whose practice areas include Inclusion Equity and Diversity Consulting, Cultural Competency and Intelligence, and Executive and Minority Coaching. He has experience working with public and private sector organizations.
Val has also supported the United Way, Guilford County Schools, Bennett College and YMCA capital campaign efforts, and is a member of NBMBAA, National Sales Network, SHRM, IMCUSA and is a Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow.
Connect with Val on LinkedIn.
What to Expect: Empowering Diversity, Inclusion, and Retention in Recruiting
Effective language communicates our intended message clearly, while ineffective language can lead to misunderstandings. Embracing this distinction is a key part of our journey towards becoming more effective allies.
To provide deep insights and practical guidance, we've invited experts to share their unique perspectives on choosing and using effective language.
Participants will leave with the following:
The ability to skillfully analyze the question of How Do I Say It?, examining effective language from various perspectives and its importance in not only recruiting, but the workplace as a whole.
A deep understanding of how to leverage the power of Lived Experience Intelligence™, enabling them to understand effective language in hiring and retention programs with remarkable effectiveness.
Conference Schedule
A VIRTUAL Journey Towards Inclusion AND EFFECTIVE ALLYSHIP
“How Do I Say It?: Effective Language for Inclusive Recruitment and Retention Strategies” will feature six engaging speaker presentations. These sessions, delivered from experts representative of several marginalized communities, are designed to inspire and involve you, offering a blend of presentations, participation in Lived Experience Intelligence Breakout Sessions, and a chance to ask questions directly during a Q&A segment.
We’ll cover critical areas, including Gender: Binary, Gender: Non-Binary, Disability, Veterans, Neurodiversity, and Sexual Orientation, aiming to broaden our understanding and refine our approach to communication.
The Summit also features two 30-minute panel discussions that will dive into the Language of Race (Anti-Racism + Inclusion) and the Language of Intersectionality. These discussions are set to enrich our collective understanding and enhance our empathy.
| Day 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| THEME | SPEAKER | TIME (EST) |
| Welcome! + Fireside Chat: Effective Language From a Historical Perspective | Jenn Tardy & Jackye Clayton (Textio) | 11:00 - 11:20 AM |
| How Do I Say It? Theme: Gender (Non-Binary) | Dr. A.C. Fowlkes | 11:20 - 11:55 AM |
| How Do I Say It? Panel: Language of Race (Anti-Racism + Inclusion) | Moderator: Den Mondejar Panelists: Sadia Hameed, Roberta Wilburn, Dr. Suzanne Wertheim, and Christian Harris |
12:00 - 12:30 PM |
| Break | ||
| How Do I Say It? Theme: Neurodiversity | Stephanie Ranno | 12:50 - 1:25 PM |
| How Do I Say It? Theme: Veterans | Robyn Grable | 1:30 - 2:05 PM |
| Closing | Team JTC | 2:05 - 2:15 PM |
| Day 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| THEME | SPEAKER | TIME (EST) |
| Welcome Back! + Fireside Chat: Exploring How We Recieve Language | Jenn Tardy & Jackye Clayton (Textio) | 11:00 - 11:20 AM |
| How Do I Say It? Theme: Disability | Winston Clements | 11:20 - 11:55 AM |
| How Do I Say It? Theme: Sexual Orientation | Cecilia Stanton Adams | 12:00 - 12:30 PM |
| Break | ||
| How Do I Say It? Panel: Language of Intersectionality | Moderator: Dr. Nika White Panelists: Catarina Rivera, Jessica Purdy, S. Gerin, and Val Boston |
12:50 - 1:25 PM |
| How Do I Say It? Theme: Gender (Binary) | Dr. Gurpreet Kaur | 1:30 - 2:05 PM |
| Closing + Thank You! | Team JTC | 2:05 - 2:15 PM |
Secure Your Spot at the Increase Diversity™ Summit
This Increase Diversity Summit is for all who wish to navigate the complexities of inclusive language with confidence and care. Join us in this crucial conversation, and together, let's take steps toward building a more inclusive world through the power of language.
Are you ready to ask, "How Do I Say It?" and, more importantly, to listen to the answers?
Bring Your Team!
Eliminating harmful language and creating more diverse workplaces is a team effort. A shared understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and recruitment concepts and practices can help improve communication, coordination, and collaboration among team members, increasing productivity and efficiency. Groups of 5 or more get 10% off the ticket price using promo code GROUPDISCOUNT.
Contact Us: Reach Out for Further Inquiries
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. You can reach us via email at hello@jennifertardy.com. We're here to assist you and provide any information you may need.
Stay Engaged: Connect with Us on Social Media
Stay connected with us on social media to stay informed and up-to-date on everything related to the Virtual Increase Diversity™ Summit Experience. Follow us for the latest updates, exclusive content, and important announcements about this impactful event.
