SOUTHERN STATES FORUM AGENDA (DALLAS)
DESIGNING CHANGE
JULY 22, 2019 | 7:45am – 7:30PM
The Dallas forum aims to address ERG leaders and companies who are more seasoned in their LGBTQ inclusion journey. While Atlanta focuses on education and narrative development, Dallas will center its attention on corporate advocacy, policy, and bringing the business value of ERGs to the next level.
The Forum intends to teach businesses to be better corporate advocates, connect key Southern leaders in the fight for LGBTQ workplace equality, facilitate the design of innovative solutions, and chart paths forward to tackle anti-LGBTQ policy and sentiment. Throughout the Forum, leaders will have the opportunity to collectively define common challenges and design solutions and next steps
Curriculum may include topics such as: corporate advocacy, LatAm inclusion, ERG innovation, and cultivating your authentic voice.
Registration | Room 106 ( 7:45am – 9:00am )
Welcome Breakfast | Room 106 ( 7:45am – 9:00am )
Opening General Session | Auditorium ( 9:00am – 10:30am )
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Eric Mitchell, Assistant Vice President at AT&T
A Fireside Chat with Mayor Annise Parker
Annise Parker, Former Mayor of Houston, President & CEO at Victory Fund and Victory Institute
Opening Panel | Leveraging Economic Power to Create Change: How Businesses in the South Can Influence Policy Change for the LGBTQ community
Daniel Womack, Director of Government Affairs, Southwest Region at Dow
Deena Fidas, Managing Director of Global Stakeholder Engagement at Out & Equal
Tamara Fields, Office Managing Director at Accenture
Scott Sapperstein, AVP External Affairs at AT&T
Meredith Singer, Government and Regulatory Affairs Executive at IBM
Paige Fetzer, Director for Global Government Affairs and Public Policy at Dell
Break ( 10:30am – 10:45am )
Morning Breakout Workshops ( 10:45am – 12:00pm )
Intersectionality – From Concept to Practice: ERG Case studies | Room 2-2A
Tamara Fields, Office Managing Director at Accenture
Paul Ramsey, Senior Manager, Talent & Organization at Accenture
Winston Lam, Specialist, Inclusion & Diversity at American Airlines
Hannah Wiseman, Analyst, Inclusion & Diversity at American Airlines
Storming the Statehouse | Auditorium
Abstract: Sharing best practices with other companies around Dell’s advocacy work, specifically it’s annual Lobby Days where employees from Austin, OKC & Nashville each visit their respective state capitols to visit with Legislators and push the importance of LGBTQ+ equality from the business point of view.
Nicole Gibson, Human Resources Compliance Consultant, NA Pride Lead, Dell
Shone Zachariah, Pride Global Lead, Dell
Erik Day, Out & Equal Board Member, Vice President & General Manager, North America Small Business at Dell Technologies, Dell
Paige Fetzer, Director for Global Government Affairs and Public Policy, Dell
Bonnie McGuire, Senior Commercial Account Manager/Pride North America Advocacy Lead, Dell
Lunch | Room 106 ( 12pm – 12:45pm )
Break ( 12:45pm – 1:00pm )
Featured Panel | Out @ AT&T Executives & Colleagues | Auditorium ( 1:00PM – 2:00PM )
Abstract: The Out @ AT&T Executives & Colleagues panel will feature out both AT&T discussing their workplace experiences. The discussion will be led by an ally woman of color who is responsible for LGBTQ+ corporate strategy at AT&T.
Deneen L. Garrett, Lead Consultant-Diversity at AT&T
Roger Hyde, SVP-Advertising & Creative Services at AT&T
Ken McNeely, President Western Region at AT&T
Stacey Chosed, Chief Operating Officer of LEAGUE at AT&T
Afternoon Breakout Workshops ( 2:00pm – 3:15pm )
From ERGs to BRGs: Elevating D&I in the South | Room 2-2A
Navigating the Texas Legislature: Business and NGO Engaging Together | Auditorium
Jessica Shortall, Director at Texas Competes
Mark Walker, Senior Director, Integration Management Office at Celanese
Bonnie McGuire, Senior Commercial Account Manager/Pride North America Advocacy Lead, Dell
Daniel Womack, Director of Government Affairs, Southwest Region at Dow
Break ( 3:15pm – 3:30pm )
Closing Session | Auditorium ( 3:30pm – 5:15pm )
Afternoon Keynote—The State of the LGBTQ Movement in Texas
Deena Fidas, Managing Director of Global Stakeholder Engagement at Out & Equal
Telling the Southern Story
Closing Remarks
Happy Hour & Networking ( 5:15pm – 7:30pm )