Distinguished Panel Presentation
Trends And Lessons Learned: Women In The Workplace

Moderated by
Carole Copeland Thomas
Diversity Trainer & Speaker
Founder
​Multicultural Symposium Series

Carole Copeland Thomas

As an award-winning executive coach, speaker, trainer and global thought leader, since 1987, Carole Copeland Thomas moderates the discussions of critical issues affecting the marketplace. She has her pulse on the issues affecting working professionals and regularly consults with industry leaders. She has spent 30 years cultivating relationships and partnerships with local, national and international sponsors, including Walmart, Amtrak and Emirates Airlines.

​Carole has worked with clients throughout the United States and seven foreign countries. Carole is the past president of The National Speakers Association -New England Chapter and is on the board of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Carole is a blogger and social media enthusiast using various technology platforms to enhance her business development activities. 
Carole has been featured in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Black Enterprise, ABC Radio and CBS News.

She is the author of four books and is the Past National Vice Chair of the National Black MBA Association

Distinguished Panelists

Karen Young

​Karen Young serves as VP & Chief Inclusion Officer of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a regional health services company serving members throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. In her current role, she is responsible to catalyze and advance Harvard Pilgrim’s company-wide commitment to put inclusion at the forefront of everything we do.   Reporting directly to Harvard Pilgrim’s President & CEO, she leads the Center for Inclusion Initiatives. 

Ms. Young holds an MSW from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Barrington College.  Ms. Young is the recipient of the 2016 Carl Sciortino Ally award from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and has received the Compassion, Courage and Professionalism Award from the Northeast Human Resources Association for her practice of human resource management.  Ms. Young currently serves on the Board of Directors of Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Youth (BAGLY) and is a Member of the Perkins School for the Blind Corporation. 

Her purpose is to contribute by helping individuals, groups and organizations see gateways to meaningful engagement in the world.  

Dr. Lorna Thomas Farquharson

Dr. Lorna Thomas-Farquharson is a mental health professional who received a BA in Psychology from Spelman College, and Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford.  Lorna strives to educate and empower individuals to address challenges and improve the quality of their lives.  She is passionate about community outreach and demystifying the stigma associated with receipt of formal mental health care.  

Lorna is also a consultant, trainer, and workshop facilitator on various subject matters such as effective communication, self-esteem, workplace etiquette, vicarious trauma, and crisis management.  Lorna lives in West Hartford, CT with her husband, Jerome, and two young daughters, Julianna and Gabrielle.  Lorna is currently running for the West Hartford Board of Education as a Democratic-endorsed candidate.  She desires to promote education that supports the development of well-rounded youth, where excellence is defined by thriving academically, socially, and emotionally and where the values of learning extend beyond the walls of a classroom.

Fran Dichner

Since 2003, Fran Dichner has been the Owner, President, and CEO of R&L Associates, Inc., a full-service staffing solutions firm, which celebrated its 40th anniversary year in 2015. She is also President & CEO of The Aries Group, a division of R&L, that is a local and national provider of technical and engineering professionals founded in 2000.

In 2016 and 2017 The Better Business Journal recognized The Aries Group as one of the top 25 Minority-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts.

In 2008, Fran was recognized by Forbes Magazine for her success in the quick growth of The Aries Group. For 10 years (2003-2013) The Boston Business Journal recognized Fran and R&L Associates as a "Top 100 Women-Led Business in Massachusetts." Fran has been instrumental in establishing a corporate culture focused on Community Service since taking over the leadership of her company. Fran has also been recognized with a National Stevie Award for Community Service, as a finalist for Enterprise Bank's Excellence Award for Community Service and by the Boston Business Journal with their "Community Spirit" Award and the American Red Cross of The Northeast of Massachusetts with their Enduring Heroes Award. 

Fran has served on the Boards of Girl's Inc. of Lynn, Salem State University, Beverly Kiwanis and Beverly Rotary, United Way Women's Initiative, North Shore Chamber, North Shore Women in Business, National Association of Women Business Owners serving 2 years as Boston Chapter President. and currently serves on the Commonwealth Corporation Board which reports directly to the Governor. She also serves on the The Beverly Bank Corporator's Board , and The Women's Business Enterprising National Council Forum Board. (WBENC) Boston Chapter.
Fran's business awards include, Girl's Inc. "Strong, Smart, Bold" Award, North Shore Women In Business - Businesswoman of the Year Award, North of Boston - Business Person of the Year, North Shore Chamber's Distinguished Business Leader Award, Beverly Kiwanis Distinguished Leader and The Hixon Award, Beverly Chamber's Business Person of the Year Award and Lynn Chamber's Business Hall of Fame Award. In 2016 Fran received recognition for business and community service by the Enterprising Women Magazine and was recognized by Smart CEO Magazine with their Business Leader Award. 

Fran’s devotion to mentoring young women and focus on community service have been her mission and life purpose since becoming the owner and CEO of her company.
Fran Dichner

Doreen Nichols

Doreen Nichols is a highly accomplished human resources executive who is sought out to build and transform human resource strategy that fully aligns with business objectives, resulting in substantive organizational improvement. With broad experience in both big brand corporations and early-stage start-ups, Doreen is recognized as a thought leader in global operations, acquisitions, divestitures, talent strategy, performance management, and diversity. 

She holds an award-winning track record for conceptualizing and executing bold, innovative initiatives that produce significant business impact. Doreen views HR as a true business partner, whose solutions to complex business needs promotes company growth and a productive, cohesive culture. 

Doreen has worked for some outstanding  companies and  institutions during  her 20 plus years such as Genzyme, Staples, and LensCrafters; Tulane University and currently Eversource Energy