SALT LAKE CITY, UT (September 24, 2021) – Global Diversity and Inclusion leader, Dr. Tony Byers, will be the morning keynote of Utah’s Business Diversity Summit, the Salt Lake Chamber announced today. Boldly challenging the status quo and decades of diversity and inclusion practices, Dr. Byers is transforming D&I from “the right thing to do” to the business imperative of our time. His presentations provide the perfect balance of “why now” and “how to” that will take attendee’s thinking on inclusion — and their organization — to the next level.
Along the way, they will learn from the success stories of companies that have evolved beyond “doing diversity well” to leveraging inclusion as a powerful business advantage. These inclusive cultures are increasing employee creativity and productivity, developing new products and product categories, and far outpacing their peers in innovation, marketplace growth and business performance.
“The importance of diversity and inclusion practices can improve our business culture and strengthen our state’s case to become the center for expanded opportunity,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Dr. Byers’ lens into inclusion as a multiplier of innovation and growth will show there is a return on investment from promoting these strategies. We are excited for this addition to the first ever Utah’s Business Diversity Summit.”
Dr. Byers will show attendees how to build an inclusive culture through a breakthrough behavioral approach that overcomes biases and creates buy-in. They will also learn how to set in motion a multiplier effect of inclusion that more than doubles employee productivity while positively impacting every aspect of your organization.
The author of The Multiplier Effect of Inclusion: How Diversity & Inclusion Advances Innovation and Drives Growth, Dr. Byers is best known for leading and revitalizing Starbucks’ highly respected and successful D&I function and programming. As Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Byers developed and led the company’s strategic direction to drive engagement, innovation and business growth. Prior to Starbucks, his impressive track record in large matrix multinational organizations included Cargill, where he led diversity programs throughout North America and a pioneering role as a transformational D&I leader at H.J. Heinz.
At Heinz, he created the company’s global diversity and inclusion function from the ground up, creating and building model programs and practices. With 20+ years working in the field, Dr. Byers brings a diverse set of experiences and thinking to his D&I practice, including work in the nonprofit and education sector, as an organizational management consultant and as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, Metropolitan State University and the University of Wisconsin. He holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Development and a M.A. in Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. His doctoral thesis focused on effective strategies for building support for diversity programs among senior leaders.
As Dr. Byers has observed, “We’ve been working on diversity and inclusion for 50 years and we’re really not happy with where we’re at. That means we’re either not doing something right, or we need to do something different.” His thought-provoking presentations challenge old mindsets and inspire both individuals and organizations to stretch their imaginations and move beyond awareness of our differences and towards utilization that fosters innovation and growth. With a call to look within and leverage our cultural insights and diversity, Dr. Byers provides key strategies to increase personal, professional and organizational success. Whether you’re a D&I professional, an affinity group, or any organization looking to build a better culture while boosting the bottom line, you’ll leave inspired, empowered, and seeing diversity and inclusion in a fresh new light.
The Utah’s Business Diversity Summit, part of the One Utah Summit Series, will engage business and community leaders in efforts to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and available resources are targeted toward businesses with well-developed Diversity and Inclusion programs, as well as those businesses without current efforts but who want to engage.
The Summit takes place on November 4, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in-person at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
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