Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Training Series
The Salt Lake Chamber’s Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Training Series, sponsored by sustaining partners Semnani Family Foundation and Zions Bank, was developed to provide newly designated or seasoned professionals in the field of diversity and inclusion access to thought leadership and program development.
Cohort attendees will learn from experts the business case for implementing a diversity and inclusion program. This training will help participants develop a diversity and inclusion strategic plan for their team, company or industry sector and infuse these strategies into their respective corporate cultures. Implementing the strategy and tactics from the training will also build unity and relationships across organizations as they interact with other cohort attendees.
This program will set up these businesses for success by providing the necessary tools, resources and training, as well as give best practices to make a significant impact on diversity and inclusion in Utah.
Candidate Requirements
- Currently has a role that includes diversity and inclusion responsibilities
- Interested in enhancing diversity and inclusion skills
Cohort Description
- Size of group: 25-30 people
- Participants are encouraged and expected to allow these sessions to be a safe space to discuss difficult and sensitive topics
Training Schedule
- All classes will be held 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the following Wednesdays. Participants must be in attendance for all six classes to graduate and receive the certificate of completion. No online options will be available for the cohort. If you cannot attend all the Spring cohort classes, please contact us.
- March 22, 2023
- April 5, 2023
- April 19, 2023
- May 3, 2023
- May 17, 2023
- May 31, 2023 (final class, begins at 2:30 p.m.)
- Each cohort is two hours, every other week for almost three months, with 90 minutes of in-person training and 30 minutes of discussion/conversation with the group
Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed and applicants notified whether they were accepted or not.
Cost
- Scholarships have generously been made available to offset the total cost of the program. All accepted applicants are guaranteed the scholarship pricing of $299 (actual value: $1,500).
Application Deadline
- March 17, 2023 or until cohort is full
Cohort Spring 2023 Schedule
March 22, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Topic: The WHY of DEI
- Presenter: Sui Lang L. Panoke, Zions Bank
- Facilitator: Ross Romero, Inclusion Strategies
- Description: This session will provide a “Big Picture” overview of why diversity, equity, and inclusion is key to the success of any business and the significant role small businesses play in building Economic Inclusion.
April 5, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Title: Unconscious Bias: How to Wake-Up and Heal the Divide
- Topic: Unconscious Bias. Strategic Communications.
- Presenter: Aundrea DeMille, The Wake Up Stories
- Facilitator: Ross Romero, Inclusion Strategies
- Description: Imagine an office space where everyone can confidently be themselves and productivity is at an all time high. Imagine a work enviroment where every person feels safe to thrive despite their gender, race or sexual orientiation. One conversation at a time, together, we can heal the divide and create work spaces that feel welcoming and productive.
April 19, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Title: Recruiting, Retaining and Promoting Diverse and Equitable Workforces
- Topic: Recruitment. Retention. Data. Analytics. Employee Surveys
- Presenter: Trina Limpert, RizeNext Corp and Tech Moms
- Facilitator: Ross Romero, Inclusion Strategies
- Description: Within this session you will learn how to recruit, hire, retain and promote diverse workforces. Focus on methods for attracting talent, and how to develop your leadership skills to be more inclusive and retain critical talent. We will review available systems, data and processes that allow you to track initiatives through DEI scorecards and training plans.
May 3, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Topic: Enhancing the Employee Experience: People. Culture. Engagement
- Presenter: Leah Lobato, Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
- Facilitator: Ross Romero, Inclusion Strategies
- Description: More information to come.
May 17, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Title: Fostering DEI Policies and Strategies to Improve Business Performance and Employee Appreciation
- Topic: Policy. Practices. Programs.
- Presenter: Gabriela Benitez, Diversified Insurance Group
- Description: When was the last time you evaluated your cultural values? The marketplace is changing. We are in an environment where DEI is becoming a driving force; as a result, do your employee benefits align with your cultural values around DEI? During this presentation, we will discuss the framework for organizing and incorporating inclusive business strategies, such as: aligning your employee benefits to your company values, standard operating policies, best processes, and strategic programs. We will look at specific examples in today’s environment, what is happening in the marketplace with your peers, benchmarking, and programs that will help your company align with DEI.We will discuss how you can align your policies, practices, and programs to what you want your culture to be.
May 31, 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
- Title: The Journey–Diversity, Inclusion, and Beyond & Graduation Luncheon
- Topic: Strategy. Planning. Accountability.
- Presenters: Dr. William Guillory, Innovations International, Inc. and Jeff Seely, Innovations International, Inc.
- Description: This presentation will describe the strategy, planning, and accountability involved in achieving Diversity, Inclusion, and a glimpse of the future. It will clearly show why and how achieving D & I are necessities for transitioning from high performance to exceptional performance. We will describe how the various components and processes of these initiatives, such as resolving unconscious bias, experiencing personal and cultural transformation, managing differences, and survey measurements are all part of a sequential, planning process for achieving inclusion. The two crucial factors in achieving success throughout the journey are leadership commitment and management accountability.
Presenters
Certificate and Credly Badge
- Each participant who completes the training will be presented with a certificate of completion.
Questions?
- Contact Melanie Budge at the Salt Lake Chamber: mbudge@slchamber.com.
Special Thanks to Sustaining Partners
