Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Learning Session and Panel

Calling all tech founders, executives, and leaders!

You know promoting diversity, equity and inclusion is important, but have you considered what a lack of those things means for your bottom line? This event will focus on real-world actions to help you get on board with DEI and lead your organization to a more inclusive future.

This virtual learning event and panel on diversity, equity & inclusion which will take place on June 23, 2022, 9am-12:15pm.

Join us to discover what you as tech founders, executives, and leaders can do!

Agenda

9-10:30am - Business Case & Effective DEI Strategies by DiversityNL

10:30-10:45am - Break (Bring your own coffee and dancing shoes, we will supply the music)

10:45am-12:15pm - “Get on Board” Panel

Panelists:

o Stephanie Howlett (CEO, DiversityNL)

o Kathy Hawkins (Executive Director, Empower/InclusionNL)

o Jenny Brake (Western Vice Chief, Qalipu First Nation)

o Jojo Greeley, RSE (Diversity Consulting)

o Dr. Boluwaji Ogunyemi (Medical Dermatologist, Anti-racism writer & speaker)

o Carol Bartlett (Moderator & CEO, The Leap Method)

This event is free for techNL members. In recognition of Pride Month, donations may be made to QuadrangleNL at www.thequadnl.com. QuadrangleNL is a local 2SLGBTQIA+ organization whose mandate it is to create and operate a community centre with structured programs including social support groups, information programs on sexuality, peer counselling, employment training and mentoring. Newfoundland Labrador is one of the last provinces in Canada without dedicated space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Learn More About Event Educators:

Stephanie Howlett (she/her) is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and CEO of DiversityNL which she started in 2020 following her passion as an innovator who helps organizations implement inclusive policies and strategies for Two-spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, + inclusion in organizations. Her mantra is that high performance teams have 3 secret ingredients – diversity, inclusivity and belonging. These teams outperform by 20%, creating work cultures and breaking down silos enhancing productivity, idea generation and revenue growth. Stephanie provides strategic planning, needs assessments, benchmarking and workforce training and development sessions to organizations on topics related to 2SLGBTQ+ 101, Unconscious Bias, Gender Inclusive Language and Pronouns , Business Case for & DEI Strategies and much more. She coaches CEO’s, individuals and organizations helping them progress their 2SLGBTQ+ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This shows up through culture and design, review and implementation of policies and procedures, guidance, systems and design, sustainability and capacity building as well as leadership and innovation. Stephanie has a Master of Social Work degree from Memorial and contributes success to following your passion. She is a proud fur momma of 2 fur babies and loves getting out in nature for walks with her wife and 4 legged treasures.

Carol Bartlett (she/her) is a business owner who helps niche firms implement sales strategy, sales process, and sales training. Carol jumped off the corporate ladder after 20 years in oil and gas, as VP Sales and Marketing for one of the largest privately held companies in Atlantic Canada managing over $200M annually to develop and launch The Leap Method. Over the last 10 years, Carol has focused on experiential learning, in particular in sales training and career growth. She serves on the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Advisory Council at Memorial University and recently hosted Creators at The World's Edge, techNL's podcast series showcasing leaders in our tech ecosystem.

Dr Boluwaji Ogunyemi (he/him) is a Medical Dermatologist, writer and public speaker and physician leader. He has given a TEDx Talk and several keynote speeches in the areas of equity, diversity and anti-racism. As Assistant Dean of Social Accountability, he provides oversight on initiatives in the areas of Health Equity, Indigenous Health and Community Engagement in the Faculty of Medicine. He has been published in The New York Times, Globe and Mail, National Post, CBC, and Huffington Post in topics related to diversity and anti-racism as they relate to education and healthcare. He currently serves on the Royal College Anti-Black Racism Working Group and the Memorial University Faculty of Medicine Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

Jenny Brake (she/her) is the Western Vice Chief of Qalipu First Nation, and the Chair of Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities. Through these organizations, Jenny works to build capacity through education, enterprise and cultural wellness. With the support of her three children, Jenny is committed to the growth and preservation of Indigenous values and traditions. She is an artist and well known for her contribution to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls memorial Mikwite’km Garden in Corner Brook, NL, with her centrepiece image “Don’t Forget Me, Mukk-aqanta’sualiq” Jenny is also a welder by trade and is a director for the Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades where she helps increase career opportunities in skilled trades and advocates for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Jenny currently works at the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University as the Student Affairs Officer, Indigenous Affairs.

Kathy Hawkins (she/her) is the Executive Director of Empower, The Disability Resource Centre which provides corporate service province-wide under InclusionNL: Employer Support Services. Kathy provides support and services to employers interested in creating more inclusive workplace environments for current and new employees with multiple types of disabilities. In this capacity she advises employers and businesses on all facets of creating barrier-free work environments & building accessibility confidence including; recruitment & hiring, accessibility reviews of physical locations, reasonable workplace adjustments & employee accommodations, as well as staff training & professional development. Kathy also provides expertise to businesses interested in creating accessible websites, technical applications and mobile apps and holds professional certification in website accessibility from the University of South Australia. Kathy is currently the President of the DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada, served on the Board of the NL Association of the Deaf for eight years, and is an active member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.

Jojo Greely, RSE (she/her) thrives on helping and supporting people to live the best lives they can. She is a Red Seal Journeyed Construction Electrician, the owner of Joann Greeley Electric, Events and Outreach Coordinator at Office to Advance Women Apprentices, and an advocate for women working in skilled building trades. She loves to share her story and success in skilled trades. Facilitating leadership workshops for WinSETT has been a dream job. Helping women hone their skills in negotiation and communication to succeed in their role is a thrill. Chosen as one of 250 emerging leaders in Canada she is excited to join the Governor General’s Leadership Conference this June. Recently diagnosed with ADHD at 52 has opened a new world where she is discovering her challenges and how they are intertwined into her life. It’s a new journey that she is taking head on. The world as we know it is changing rapidly and Jojo’s eagerness to support that change and the people around her makes her a leader in both industry and community.