MEET THE FACILITATORS
A Virtual Interactive Summit
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS
Thursday, August 19, 2021
FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
5pm GMT • 12 Noon EDT • 11am CST • 9am PDT
One Year Following The Death Of George Floyd in Minneapolis
This Page Includes Our May & Aug Facilitators
Zara Din
(August 19)
UK
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Zara Din is a vice president of Loomis Sayles Investments Limited, Loomis Sayles’ London-based entity, and an institutional relationship manager. In this role, she works with investment consultants and institutional clients across the UK and Europe.
Zara has 11 years of investment industry experience and joined Loomis Sayles in 2017. Previously, she worked for six years at Schroders, building relationships with global and UK investment consultant firms and focusing on institutional clients in the UK. Zara earned a BSc in Business, Finance, and Investment and an MS in Financial Services from the University of Ulster. |
Henry Crosby
(Aug 19)
US
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Henry Crosby is a retired sales and marketing Director of Social Responsibility for the YMCA of the North in Minneapolis, MN. Under the leadership of Dr. Hedy Walls, the YMCA created an equity innovation center that serves as a safe place for convening and delivering programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Henry is a Tuskegee Institute alumnus with a BS in Business Management. He continued his graduate studies at the University of Minnesota – Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Henry and his wife, Stephanie of 44 years, live in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and have two children: Morehouse College graduate – Brian and Spelman College graduate Arianna. He is the proud grandfather of two boys, Noah Charles (7) and Leo Moore Crosby (5). |
Dr. Neil Thompson
(Aug 19)
UK
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Dr Neil Thompson is an independent writer, educator and adviser and a visiting professor at the Open University in the UK.
His latest book is Anti-Racism for Beginners. He is also the Vice President of Vigoroom UK, an employee wellness platform geared towards improving engagement, reducing sickness absence and staff turnover through healthier and happier workplaces (www.vigoroom.co.uk). His website is at www.NeilThompson.info |
Leila McKenzie-Delis
(May 22nd Speaker/Panelist)
(Aug 19)
UK
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Leila McKenzie Delis is a passionate business owner and entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of DIAL global. Leila has also founded Leila McKenzie Associates, an Executive Search business appointing diverse and inclusive candidates at the executive and board level. She is an experienced presenter and chair and hosts the twice-weekly DIAL Global podcast "Diverse & Inclusive Leaders" on Apple podcasts in addition to the DIAL Global Lounge focused on thought leadership.
Her vision is one in which all are welcome to the boardroom in business and beyond and a world that harnesses the power of intersectionality and difference in moving the dial. This vision has been built through thousands of interviews of business leaders and the acknowledgment of the crucial importance and complexity of D&I topics. The richness of the numerous exchanges Leila has had with those individuals has only reinforced her determination to build a peer learning network dedicated to diversity & inclusion. Unearthing and sharing the unique stories of diversity and inclusion of the most inspirational and thought-leading leaders is the most efficient way to inspire, educate and motivate others and make the world a better place. |
Joseph Mukungu
(May 22)
UK
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Joseph Mukungu is a vice president of Loomis Sayles Investments Limited, Loomis Sayles’ London-based entity, and head of client relationship management, EMEA. In this role, he is responsible for the long-term strategic direction and growth of the firm’s EMEA client engagement.
Joseph has 22 years of investment industry experience and joined Loomis Sayles in 2013. Previously, he was head of international client services at Neuberger Berman, where as he oversaw the servicing of a $25+ billion book of business across the EMEA and Asia regions. Prior to Neuberger, Joseph was head of client services & relationship management at JO Hambro Capital Management. He earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics with engineering from the University of Nottingham. |
Lezlie Taylor
(Aug 19)
US
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Lezlie Taylor is an innovative business/non- profit executive with an extensive background in business development, marketing, and community relations. She has led new business initiatives and growth strategies with a diversity and inclusion lens. Lezlie has demonstrated expertise in driving organizational performance through innovative products and by building and maintaining key business and community relationships.
She is an avid community champion. She currently serves on the board for the Minnesota Chill Foundation, City of Bloomington (Minnesota) Human Rights Commissioner, and is a member of The Minneapolis – St. Paul Chapter Links, Inc., an international African American Women’s organization whose focus is on youth development and leadership, national trends and the arts. She has been recognized by Savoy Magazine for her role in Diversity and Inclusion and by Black Enterprise for her outstanding business achievements as a top executive in Corporate Diversity. Lezlie resides in Bloomington with her husband Louis and their grand dog Jax. She is the proud mother of two adult sons, Brandon and Jordan. |
Dr. Lorna Thomas Farquharson
(May 22)
US
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Dr. Lorna Thomas-Farquharson received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Spelman College and a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford. For over twenty years, she had worked 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 mental health care. Lorna works as a Program Manager for the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, where she works with individuals who share a vision of equity, where all children are safe, healthy, learning, and thriving.
Lorna values community service and firmly believes in the African proverb, It Takes a Village to Raise a Child. She volunteers as a leader in the youth department at her church. Lorna was elected in 2017 to the West Hartford Board of Education, currently serving as Vice-Chair. She values education and implementing effective policies that support 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. Lorna and her husband, Jerome, are proud parents of two daughters who are West Hartford Public School students. |
Francisco Carrasco
(May 22 & August 19)
UK
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Francisco Carrasco is the Creative Director and CEO of Luma Creations, which promotes and celebrates Latin American and Diversity arts and artists and their communities in the UK. He is an international artist and cultural activist originally from Chile. He arrived in the UK in 1975 as a child refugee and has directed large-scale projects, including International Festivals and large-scale events, and performed in the UK, South Africa, Spain, Costa Rica, Portugal, France, and Chile. He is a composer, writer, and Artistic Director and has lectured at Chester University, the University of Liverpool, and John Moores University. He has sat on strategic panels and steering groups for Arts Council England, DCMS, and the University of Liverpool.
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Cris Ajemian
(May 22 & August 19)
US
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Cristina Mello Ajemian is a retired language teacher who ended her career after 19 years at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA. She is the daughter of immigrants who recognized and empathized with the struggles of many international students to begin new lives in their adopted country. Cristina is married, the mother of two, and grandmother of two. She is involved in the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights, and Amnesty International.
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Carol Ann Whitehead, FRSA GGA
(May 22 & August 19)
UK
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Carol Ann Whitehead, a Royal Society of Arts Fellow, is an advocate of women's rights, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and a winner of several awards.
She is Managing Director of UK-based publishing and events agency 'The Zebra Partnership', recipient of the Inclusive Companies Certificate of Excellence organising events in the UK and overseas, plus experience of developing and delivering five royal visits since 2004. She is the director of Your Manchester Media WebTV and Podcast network. She is a founding member of BURN (The Black United Representation Network), an organisation actively tackling persistent racial inequalities in Greater Manchester through economic empowerment of communities and businesses. Carol Ann is an Action Partner for the annual United Nations Global Festival of Action. She was awarded the Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 and the Northern PowerWomen Power List in 2020. In April 2021, Carol Ann was named SDG Champion in the top 100 Social Media Influencers for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). |
Valton Henderson
(May 22 & Aug 19)
US
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Valton Henderson currently serves as a contract HR and DEI practitioner on behalf of the Robert Half International consulting organization. He is a seasoned professional who possesses over twenty (20) years of experience in the areas of employee relations, labor relations, diversity, equity & inclusion in the private, nonprofit and governmental sectors. He earned a B.A. degree from Fisk University (Nashville, TN) and M.A. (Public Administration) and J.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Valton believes in community service and is actively engaged with numerous Minneapolis-St. Paul civic organizations.
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Tracey Gore
(May 22)
UK
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Tracey Gore is Director of Steve Biko Housing Association, a Black and Racial Minority Community Based Housing Association. As the name suggests, Steve Biko Housing Association has strong values in respect of challenging racism and plays a strategic role in advocating on behalf of the wider Black and Racial Minority communities on housing and regeneration issues.
In September 2020 she was appointed by the Mayor of Liverpool to the position of Chair of Liverpool's Race Equality Task Force. The Task Force is focussing on Race Inequality in the City of Liverpool and will engage with the citizens of Liverpool to examine the structural barriers that stop Black and other Racial Minority people in participating and excelling in all aspects of life. It is intended that the Task Force will develop an action plan and recommendations for long lasting change, a plan of action that the City leaders will adopt and take responsibility for its implementation. |
Julayne Lee
(May 22)
US
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Julayne Lee has held various roles in both corporate retail and healthcare, most recently as head of operations and compliance at a healthtech startup. Julayne co-founded and chaired the Asian Business Council at Supervalu and also founded and was the president of the National Association of Asian MBAs (NAAMBA) Twin Cities chapter in Minnesota. Appointed by Governor Dayton to serve on the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM), she was a member of the Government Relations/Legislative committee and served on the MLK, Jr. Award Nomination Committee.
Julayne’s experience as a speaker and facilitator both in the U.S. and Asia includes the Peace Corps Alumni with the Korean Consulate in Los Angeles and UC Berkeley’s Empowering Women of Color Conference. In addition, Julayne’s debut collection of poems Not My White Savior was on Bitch Media's Bitchreads: 15 Books Feminists Should Read in March and Entropy’s Best of 2018: Best Poetry Books & Poetry Collections. Not My White Savior was included in the 2018 Poets House Showcase in New York, their 26th annual exhibition of the nation’s poetry books. She is a Las Dos Brujas and Voices of Our Nation Arts (VONA) Foundation alum and a Rooted and Written Fellow. Julayne holds a B.S. in Mathematics Education and received her MAEd from Hamline University. Julayne enjoys film festivals, dining adventures and SUP and is currently a Senior Data Analyst (People Analytics) at Stanford Children’s Health. @julayneelle |
Jennifer Perkins
(May 22)
US
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Jennifer Perkins is a Vice President of Human Resources (HR) at Medline Industries, a privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare supplies. She is responsible for HR Leadership, including for several commercial business units. She is also responsible for international human resources and recently became responsible for the strategic development for Medline’s Inclusion & Diversity function. Jennifer has over 20 years of progressive experience in Human Resources with companies like 3M, General Mills, Ecolab, and SC Johnson. During her tenure at SC Johnson, she helped the company’s Latin America region become recognized as a Great Place To Work. She also helped Ecolab establish their Inclusion & Diversity function. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Northwestern University and an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Jennifer is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association and is currently a member of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of African-Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR).
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Sophia Khan
(May 22)
US
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Sophia Khan has led the development of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies globally for over 25 years in collaboration with Human Resources, business leaders and customers. She is held directly accountable for ensuring an integrated and systemic approach to building a diverse talent pipeline, creating an inclusive and equitable culture, and implementing rigorous accountability metrics.
Sophia's experience includes leading DEI at Thomson Reuters, Medtronic, 3M and PepsiAmericas. She also has served in HR leadership roles at Wells Fargo & Co. She earned her bachelors degree in Economics and Cultural Pluralism from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters of Arts in Human Resource Development with a concentration in organization development from the University of St. Thomas. |
Mesha Mott
(May 22 & Aug 19)
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Mesha Mott has extensive experience in human resources, diversity & inclusion and marketing In her work, Mesha focuses on organizational effectiveness, change management, strategic planning, leadership development talent and performance management, employee engagement, job readiness. Mesha’s work has focused in numerous industries including healthcare, financial services, retail banking, telecommunications, automotive, defense and communications/ entertainment.
Mesha also served as the President of the National Black MBA Association, Richmond Chapter, Chair of the Leaders of Tomorrow Program, founded the Annual Central Virginia Diversity and Inclusion Breakfast. Mesha holds a BA in Communications, a Masters in Business Administration and also serves as a professor in the Virginia College system in HR Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Intercultural Communications and General Business. |
Kenida Lewis
(Aug 19)
US
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Kenida Lewis is a noteworthy recruiter and talent acquisition leader with a passion for helping companies connect with skilled, diverse talent. As founder and principal of The Adinek Group, a firm that specializes in recruiting and talent acquisition strategies, Kenida is able to bring her passion to fruition.
Based in Las Vegas, The Adinek Group, partners with companies to provide a range of custom talent solutions, from recruiting professional talent to diversity sourcing. The firm particularly focuses on recruiting top talent and developing talent acquisition strategies to expand diversity in leadership roles and board positions. |
Ari Lenz
(Aug 19)
US
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Ari Lenz is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Hopkins, Minnesota (pop. 19,000). Her role includes assisting the City Manager in all city operations and strategic planning.
Ari also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Hopkins Race & Equity Initiative, a collaborative effort creating opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of race, equity, and diversity and promoting a sense of community that welcomes and values all residents. Partnering organizations include the City of Hopkins, Hopkins Public Schools, Hopkins Police Department, and Gethsemane Lutheran Church. |
Garth Dallas
(Aug 19)
UK
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I have helped many businesses grow sustainably by maximizing the potential of their people and connections. I specialize in helping businesses develop strategies that focus on making a positive impact on people, places, and the planet, across multiple industries.
My company and I help organizations realize the business value of integrating sustainability by developing and implementing strategies to save money, increase brand value, reduce risk and engage their stakeholders and employees. I combine my many years' experience in Business Law, Employment Law & HR, Workplace Diversity & Inclusion, and Corporate Social Responsibility with my practical and successful experience of setting up and scaling up SME businesses to allow them to be profitable and sustainable. Businesses that create impact at scale through what they do and how they do it will generate value for everyone. Since 2015, I have served as an Ambassador for Liverpool Central Libraries, with responsibility for promoting this famous library nationally and internationally. I am also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Oh, before I forget: I speak Hungarian fluently, so that may be helpful if you are looking to do work with Hungary or Hungarians. |
Thursday, August 19, 2022
FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
5pm GMT • 12 Noon EDT • 11am CST • 9am PDT
