Speakers

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am

Location: Presidents Room

Speaker: Nilyum Jhala, VP of Technology, Hallmark Cards.

Breakfast with a VP: Nilyum Jhala

Designed for the Young Professionals / Student Track, Particpants will have breakfast with Hallmark VP Nilyum Jhala for a lively discussion on his leadership journey as well as advice on entering the workforce and networking.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing East & West

Speaker: Candi Castleberry Singleton, VP of Diversity Partnerships Strategy + Engagement, Twitter

D&I: What’s Next?

Candi is a passionate and experienced diversity and inclusion leader who thrives on helping organizations create more inclusive work environments. She recognizes the power of creating more opportunities for different perspectives and diverse voices. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Candi speak about her unconventional views on what the future holds for diversity, inclusion, equity, and engagement.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Location: Pershing East & West

Speaker: Katerina Jeng, Co-founder and CEO of Slant’d

The Power of Creativity: Self-Discovery, Community, and Change

Katerina Jeng will be speaking about how she forged her own path to entrepreneurship, the creation of Slant’d, and the power of creativity to act as a vehicle for self-discovery, community building, and change.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:40 pm

Location: Mission

Facilitators:

Angela Pastorek, Program Director and Faculty, Graduate Programs in Workplace Communication- The University of Kansas

Nior Gonzales, Community Engagement Professional

Allyship: Workshop

Facilitated by Angela Pastorek and Nior Gonzales, they will present a workshop to discuss how ERG/BRGs can broaden cross-functional collaborations across demographics. This is especially helpful in our current political climate when ERG members need to consider intersectionality when being champions and allies.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Location: Pershing South

Moderator:

Samantha McCloud, Director of Community Involvement, Diversity & Inclusion, GastingerWalker&

Panelists:

Ninah Butler, Landscape Architect, BHC RHODES

Naihao Fan, Global Cinema Designer and Associate at GastingerWalker&

Kloe Katubig, Fashion Model, Community Organizer & Senior Interior Designer at HOK

Alex Ogata, Educator, designer & architect at Populous

Bold Rebel Leadership

Design impacts happiness. Design impacts the planet. Design impacts the prosperity of our businesses and our communities. Samantha moderates a panel discussion that will explore how creativity can guide us in solving complex problems, shaping our experiences, and advancing our leadership. This session will explore BOLD, REBEL leadership stories that break traditional models of influence/ambition/power through the lens of behind-the-scenes designers of our built environments.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Pershing East & West

Speaker: Suba Nadarajah, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, VMLY&R

Pushing Boundaries Through Change

Suba had a successful, fulfilling career in design that she loved, but then something shifted. She was inspired to change direction and take on the role of Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at VMLY&R. It’s a decision she hasn’t regretted. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Suba share her fascinating story in a fireside chat with Michael Gonzales. They will discuss the reasons behind her career change, and how she’s pushed her own boundaries to become an unconventional leader.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Speaker: Simon Tam, Author, musician, activist, and troublemaker

Slanted – How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court

Simon is best known as the founder and bassist of The Slants, the world’s first and only all-Asian American dance rock band. He has been a keynote speaker, performer, and presenter at TEDx, SXSW, Comic-Con, and over 1,200 events across four continents. His work has been highlighted in over 3,000 media features across 150 countries including The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, NPR, BBC, New York Times, and Rolling Stone. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to be inspired by Simon’s unconventional story of leadership and disruption.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm

Location: Pershing North

Speaker: Angela Cooper, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Mutual of Omaha

Making It Personal – Inspiring Your People to Uncover, Deepen, and Reveal Their Own Conviction for D&I

How does your D&I strategy come to life through your workforce? When someone at your place of work is asked, “Why do diversity and inclusion matter?” how do they respond? For our companies to be successful in delivering on our commitment to provide an inclusive culture for a diverse workforce serving an increasingly diverse market, our people must develop the capacity to authentically and courageously share why this set of issues is important. This is not the time to rely on ‘corporate speak’. We’ve got to make things personal.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm

Location: Pershing South

Speaker: Karen Narasaki, Civil Rights Advocate. Past president and executive director of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)

The Power of Numbers and the State of the Asian American Community in 2020

The 2020 census will produce data that will impact the Asian American community for a decade when it comes to political representation; equitable distribution of public funds and programs; and services, resources and investments from businesses, institutions and foundations. With Census 2020 only a few months away, and elections and then redistricting soon to follow, critical work is underway to ensure there is a fair and accurate count and that Asian Americans are visible and fully engaged in our democracy. Narasaki is a national authority on voting rights, census, redistricting, diversity in media, immigrant rights and race relations. She is a consultant to the Bauman Foundation which chairs a national collaborative of foundations on the census. In 2014, President Obama appointed her to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Location: Pershing North

Speaker: Abraham Gin, CEO of Gin Consulting & Senior Consultant, GiANT Worldwide

Leading in the Digital Age

World is changing! What is the factors we need to consider to lead well in this digital age. Discover the 5 challenges that all leaders will need to navigate in the current leadership landscape.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm

Location: Pershing East & West

Speaker: Simon Tam, Author, musician, activist, and troublemaker

How to Be a Social Media Rockstar!

The world of marketing and communications is rapidly changing. It isn’t just about technology and new platforms, it’s about creating genuine connections. In this intensive workshop, you’ll learn radical approaches to social media that will bring incredible results without the need to dump huge amounts of money into advertising. Simon Tam will be presenting in his signature funny, inspirational, and practical talk that will focus on direct application of techniques for marketing professionals or those who simply want to build influence, reach, and thought leadership.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Speaker: Victor Hwang, VP Entrepreneurship, Kauffman Foundation

Uncommon Leadership

Victor be interviewed in a fireside chat by Kim Wallace Carlson about his perspectives on collaboration, community, and the power of entrepreneurial thinking. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from this unconventional and innovative leader who believes in investing in entrepreneurs and metropolitan areas to create thriving ecosystems that can help companies flourish and grow.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing East & West

Speaker: Lindsey Roy, VP & Chief Marketing Officer – Hallmark Greetings

Finding Clarity in the Chaos

Experiences shape our perspective, and that couldn’t be more true for Lindsey. After a devastating accident nearly took her life, Lindsey’s perspective on life and business shifted, opening her up to a vulnerable new reality. Learn how Lindsey turned her tragedy into lessons learned that can help us all.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing South

Speaker: Rev. Ken Fong, Host and co-producer of Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast

How I Used My Super Power to Get Our Church to Embrace Queer and Trans People

You probably don’t have to be involved in a local Asian American church to guess that the majority are highly resistant to change. Yet Ken managed to lead his sizable congregation on a 10-year journey to extend equal worth and equal standing to API Christians who self-identified as LGBTQ+. How was he able to persist and prevail in the face of criticism, defections, and downturns? What important lessons did he learn that can empower other Asian American leaders who are faced with adaptive challenges in their own organizations?

Presented by:

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing North

Speaker: Stella Guan, Visual Designer & Founder of Path Unbound

Breaking the Starving Artist Stereotype

Stella Guan is an award-winning visual designer with experience spanning across multiple disciplines and industries, and she’s passionate about challenging the “starving artist” stereotype. In 2019, Stella founded Path Unbound, a company that provides international artists with career advancement and immigration resources. Her company’s mission is to help immigrant artists advance their careers and break away from the “starving artist” stereotype by providing them with much-needed business training. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Stella speak about why and how Asian Americans can and should pursue artistic careers that are successful, fulfilling, and life-changing.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing East & West

Speaker: Telly Leung, Broadway & Television Star

Filling the Room: How to Impact an Audience*

Broadway and television star Telly Leung will lead a hands-on session about how to fill any size room with energy and presence. According to award-winning actress Glenn Close, “Good live theater disturbs molecules. Anybody who sees live theater should come out a little rearranged.” You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to “move molecules” to make your next “performance” more memorable.

*Exclusive Workshop for Convention Tickets Only

Presented by:

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 8:30 am – 8:45 am

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Speaker: Lisa A. Strack, Diversity Recruiting Program Officer, Bank of the West

Stepping into your Origin and Belonging Story

What process do we undergo to “belong” in the workplace and beyond? What type of support might we need to feel accepted, understood, and appreciated? Lisa shares a personal story of her journey as an Asian woman in corporate America, advocating along the way for diversity, inclusion, and equity for her communities.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 3:00 pm – 4:10 pm

Location: Shawnee

Moderator: Farzana Nayani, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist
ERG Architect & Advisor, NAAAP

Panelists:

Toki Toguri, Co-Founder & Customer Success Manager- Diverst

Santosh Mathew, Director of Technology, SAP, Mergers & Acquisitions / Diversity & Inclusion Leader / Sustainability Green Team Leader- Nielsen

Mariko Carpenter, Vice President, Strategic Alliances- Nielsen

Trends in Technology: Why Metrics Matter to ERGs

Nielsen will showcase metrics which matter to ERGs and how to utilize the data to empower ERG leaders to increase traction and ROI from their diversity initiatives. This session will also highlight some of the most common challenges ERGs face around data, metrics, and measurement, featuring case studies and best practices from Nielsen and Diverst.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Shawnee & Mission

Speaker: Abraham Gin, CEO of Gin Consulting & Senior Consultant, GiANT Worldwide

LinkedIn Optimization: Building Your Personal Brand

Discover how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to establish your personal brand. Personal brand nowadays is just as important as your company brand. Take matters in your own hand and grow your personal brand to amplify your professional goals and objectives. Bring your laptops, smartphones, and iPads and be ready to learn some practical tips and tricks to give yourself a LinkedIn® makeover that will stand out from the crowd of profiles.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Pershing South

Speaker: Alana Muller, Founder and CEO of Coffee Lunch Coffee

Five Tips for Networking Success

During this engaging leadership session, participants will learn the principles of the Coffee Lunch Coffee Networking Platform along with five immediately actionable tips for becoming imaginative, inspired and enterprising Master Networkers. Attendees will be challenged to think unconventionally about the way they build professional relationships and can expect to leave the session with specific and creative ideas for advancing their networking efforts and bolstering the quality of their relationship bases.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Pershing North

Speaker: Abraham Gin, CEO of Gin Consulting & Senior Consultant, GiANT Worldwide

The 5 Voices

The 5 Voices is the code for unlocking your capacity to have honest conversations and build deeper, more authentic relationships with your teams, your families and your friends. In order to lead others effectively, we need a true understanding of ourselves, our natural tendencies and patterns of behavior. In learning what your leadership voice sounds like to others, you will discover what it feels like to be on the other side of your personality, as well as how to hear and value others’ voices.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Speaker: Jon Cook, Global CEO, VMLY&R

Connected Leadership: Learnings From a Career in Advertising

Jon leads a global advertising and marketing agency with nearly 7,000 employees across six continents. At a time when media and messaging landscapes are historically fragmented, learn how VMLY&R helps brands resonate creatively and culturally — conveying relevance and value on an increasingly personal level.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing North

Moderators:

Rick Sakaguchi, Project Manager at Hallmark Cards

Natalie Gonzales, Editor at Hallmark Cards

Panelists:

Gena Fitzgerald, Global Procurement Director at Hallmark Cards

Find a Buddy. Be a Buddy. Connect in Authentic Two-Way Dialogue: Part II

DIVE Buddies is a program at Hallmark that gives Employees the opportunity to connect in an authentic, two-way dialogue with other Hallmarkers from different generations, cultures, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, identity-based preferences, and significant life experiences. Come hear from DIVE Buddies participants as they share their experiences with the program and participate in a Leadership Convention version of DIVE Buddies. Part I will be an introduction to the program and getting paired up with your Leadership Convention DIVE Buddy. In Part II we will bring the participants back together to discuss their experiences and what they learned from their buddy.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing North

Speakers:

Rick Sakaguchi, Project Manager at Hallmark Cards

Jenny Copeland, IT Program Manager at Hallmark Cards

Nick Wolf, Project Management Consultant at Hallmark Cards

Find a Buddy. Be a Buddy. Connect in Authentic Two-Way Dialogue: Part I

Buddies is a program at Hallmark that gives Employees the opportunity to connect in an authentic, two-way dialogue with other Hallmarkers from different generations, cultures, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, identity-based preferences, and significant life experiences. Come hear from DIVE Buddies participants as they share their experiences with the program and particpate in a Leadership Convention version of DIVE Buddies. Part I will be an introduction to the program and getting paired up with your Leadership Convention DIVE Buddy. In Part II we will bring the participants back together to discuss their experiences and what they learned from their buddy.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Location: Pershing South

Moderator:

Ginny Cheng, Recruiting Director, Zillow Group & Career Coach, Career Contessa

Panelists:

Ryan Namata, HR Consultant IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America)

Jessica Nguyen, General Counsel at PayScale

Natasha Ygsi, Art Director at VMLY&R

Mia Park, Multidisciplinary Artist

Debunking Salary Negotiation and Personal Branding Myths

These two important skills go hand-in-hand. After all, if you are not clear on how to articulate your personal brand or the value you bring to an employer, it would be hard to negotiate with confidence for the salary you believe you deserve.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 11:20 am – 12:20 pm

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Moderator:

Santosh Mathew, Director of Technology, SAP, Mergers & Acquisitions / Diversity & Inclusion Leader / Sustainability Green Team Leader- Nielsen

Panelists:

Lilian Caveleri, Director, Business Analytics & Chair, Asia Pacific Network- CBRE
Market Leader, Pacific Northwest- Filipinos in Institutional Real Estate (FIIRE)

Melvina Young, Senior Writer & Creator- Hallmark Cards

Ann Chen, Manager, Marketing & Chair, Asian American ERG Steering Committee Communications- Experian

ERG Belonging Story

ERG leaders will share how organizations can better advance the inclusion discussion and help write their “belonging” story. We’ll discuss themes of visibility, accountability, and authenticity.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 3:00 pm – 4:10 pm

Location: Mission

Speaker: Kingman Ng, Director, HR Global Diversity & Inclusion- Eli Lilly and Company

Trends in Technology: Metrics and the Asian Employee Journey

Why aren’t there more Asian Americans represented in senior leadership positions? Many are asking this question. Eli Lilly and Company sought to understand this through a new and innovative approach. The research was designed to understand the employees’ experience with the same rigor that it had long applied to its market research. Based on both metrics and storytelling, the result provided new insights to improve the career growth for women and minorities such as Asians. In this interactive workshop, Kingman Ng will share lessons learned from this bold approach.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

Location: Shawnee & Mission

Speaker: Jonathan Thomas, Board Leadership – ArtsKC

The Arts are Everyone’s Business

Creativity is everywhere, and companies are always looking for ways to tap into the skill in their employees. Partnering with the arts engages employees, benefits the community, and ensures a more inclusive workplace. Be a champion for arts and culture at your company.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 8:45 am – 9:00 am

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Speaker: Tashina Charagi, VP of Operations Global Products and Technology, ADP

ERG/BRG’s Role in Supporting “Being” You

Sharing her background in strategy, technology, and engineering – Tashina has driven impact in the world of Diversity of Inclusion. As a trailblazer in modern data platforms, she will highlight how equity is not only a social issue but a clear business imperative.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Moderator:

Michael Gonzales, Consultant, Speaker & Co-Founder- National D&I Consortium; Principal, NE&E Consulting

Panelists:

Kim Cummings, AVP Human Resources & Diversity- BNSF

Melinda Yee-Franklin, Managing Director, Corporate and Government Affairs, Western Region- United Airlines

Vanessa Sims
SVP, Executive Director, Diversity and Inclusion- UMB Financial Services

Dr. Andrea Hendricks, Senior Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusion Strategy- Cerner

Executive Perspective on ERG ROI

Senior Leadership will share their insights on the true benefits and power of ERGs in helping to shape the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for the organization. We’ll highlight how this is done from a vantage point to create and drive strategy, while leaving space for people to develop their own.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 10:20 am – 11:20 am

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Moderator:

Tessa Xuan, ERG Corporate Manager- NAAAP

Panelists:

Doreen Viloria, Consultant II, Diversity & Inclusion- Bank of America

Estrella Cramer, Director, Global Compliance & Operational Risk- UPS

Gaby Flores, Director, Office of Equity & Diversity- Children’s Mercy Hospital KC

ERG Becoming Journey

Diversity Managers will discuss how to support employees’ “Becoming” journey through establishing, maintaining, and advancing ERGs. We’ll highlight how personal transformation and leadership development are fundamental to this work.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 4:20 pm – 4:45 pm

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Speaker: Candi Castleberry Singleton, Vice President, Diversity Partnership Strategy & Engagement – Twitter

Next Steps on your ERG Being, Becoming, Belonging journey

Put the insights acquired at 2019 ERG Summit into motion.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

Location: Pershing North

Speaker: Hitesh Ramchandani, Global Motivational Speaker

Better Than Normal

More to come.

Date: August 24, 2019

Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Century B & C Ballrooms

Speaker: Sabrina Wiewel, Senior Vice President & Chief Customer Officer – Hallmark Greetings

Life through Disruption

Life happens in moments, and throughout Sabrina Wiewel’s life, those moments often come in the form of disruption. From her experiences as a child navigating a multi-cultural identity to her career as she broke through the “bamboo ceiling,” Sabrina’s experience with disruption not only shaped her life but helped her become a disruptor and ultimately a change agent both personally and professionally. Don’t miss the chance to hear Sabrina use her signature blend of authenticity, humor, and passion to share inspiring anecdotes and stories of disruption as a catalyst for change and growth.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 2:15 pm – 3:45 pm

Location: Shawnee & Mission

Speaker: Dr. Ada Cheng, Professor-turned-storyteller, Solo Performer, & Storytelling Show Producer

Straight to the Heart!: Storytelling Workshop with Dr. Ada Cheng

Do you want to tell stories to connect with people emotionally, to convey meanings with urgency, and to exert impact? In this storytelling workshop, we will discuss basic tenets of this art form, such as detailed descriptions, emotions (the importance of vulnerability), meanings, relationships with the audience, who you are as a storyteller, and the purpose of storytelling. Participants will have the opportunity to integrate these elements of storytelling and practice telling during the session. While this workshop is geared toward telling personal stories, principles learned in this session are applicable to all public speaking occasions.

Date: August 22, 2019

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:40 pm

Location: Shawnee

Speaker: Trace Ballard,Manager, LGBT Outreach – CIA

Allyship: Case Study on Breaking Barries, the LGTBQ Belonging Story.

Trace Ballard will share her journey and the work she engaged in to create her “Belonging” story through fighting for equity and creating an inclusive culture in a government agency.

Date: August 23, 2019

Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Location: Shawnee & Mission

Speaker: Fred Keeton, Owner and Principal at Keeton Iconoclast Consulting, LLC

The Inclusive Leader

More to come.

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