Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business will host Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The virtual forum includes six sessions featuring diversity, equity, and inclusion thought-leaders from top global corporations. This free event is open to the public, and registration is required for each session. Attendees can register at tinyurl.com/LATechDEI22.

“We strive to create a rich learning environment that appreciates and accepts differing perspectives, a mindset that is critical in today’s global workplace,” said Dr. Chris Martin, dean of the College of Business. “Last year, we expanded our conference format to include DEI experts from Fortune 500 companies across the U.S., and over 1,000 students, alumni, faculty, and community members joined us to take a deeper dive into these topics. We look forward to another successful forum that will provide a platform for awareness around issues of diversity and inclusion in the business world.”

2022 marks the fourth year that the College of Business has partnered with Grambling State University to give students the opportunity to have important conversations surrounding diversity and inclusion in the context of business.

The schedule includes:

8:30 a.m.: Leading the Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion Panel

• Alexis Kerr (Vice President, Mahogany Brand, Hallmark Cards)
• Kim Jenkins (Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging, Paypal)
• Dr. Todd Jenkins (Global DEI Director, Microsoft/ CBRE)
• Steven Johnson (Global Director for Culture, Diversity and Inclusion, Lowe’s Companies)
• Brad Baumoel (Global Head of LGBT+ Affairs, JP Morgan Chase)

10 a.m.: Welcome to our Table, Leadership Lessons from Executive Women Panel  

• Tamberlin Golden (Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, General Motors)
• Angela Thompkins (Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Consumers Energy)
• Clarinda Barnett-Harrison (Head of Equity and Inclusion, Ford Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility Businesses)
• Janet Wong, ’81 (Independent Board Director and Strategic Advisor)
• Lottie Holland (Director, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement, Stellantis)

11:30 a.m.: Inclusion Infusion: Advance Your Career with The Power of Cultural Intelligence

• Devoreaux Walton (Global Diversity and Inclusion Manager, IBM)

1 p.m.: Inclusion and Employee Engagement

• Stephen Metoyer, ’91 (Chief Inclusion Officer, Deloitte Tax LLP)

2:30 p.m.: Authenticity, Allyship and Advancement

• Karen Perham-Lippman (Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Lumen Technologies)

4 p.m.: Right Brain and Left Brain: A Holistic Approach to Advancing Workplace DE&I

• Scott Nycum (Chief Diversity Officer, GDIT)

Talent acquisition teams from several of the corporations will be available following each session to network with Louisiana Tech and Grambling College of Business students. The day will end with a post-conference case challenge for students led by Crystal King, ’82, Dow Chemical’s senior lead site manufacturing director.