Texas Diversity Council Hosts 12th Annual Diversity and Leadership Conference

On April 12, 2016, the Texas Diversity Council hosted the 12th Annual Diversity and Leadership Conference at the Westin Memorial City in Houston, Texas. Attendees of the conference gained knowledge and advice from corporate leaders who shared insight from their personal success and leadership experience as professionals.

“I am so proud of the success of the Diversity and Leadership Conference,” said Dennis Kennedy, Founder and Chair of the National Diversity Council. “This type of event offers a major contribution to the improvement of diversity and inclusion in the workplace."

During this three-day conference, attendees had the opportunity to network with other influential business leaders in the state. In addition to networking opportunities, attendees participated in workshops that featured discussion such as “The Impact of Multiculturalism in America,” “Introduction to LGBTQ Inclusion,” and “ Working with People Who Are Not Like Me.”

Additional events taking place during the conference included the Global Diversity Summit and the disABILITY Summit. The Global Diversity Summit encouraged attendees to consider the importance of diversity in the global context. Bringing awareness to the impacts of globalization in the workplace helped attendees understand how to adjust and thrive in diverse working environments. The purpose of the disABILITY Summit was to educate and bring awareness to the growing need to incorporate individuals with disabilities into the diversity programs and initiatives of all organizations. Attendees were provided with resources and knowledge of best practices in order to improve overall inclusiveness.

The Texas Diversity Council also honored exceptional leaders with awards highlighting their commitment to success. On day one of the conference, awardees were honored at the Multicultural Awards Luncheon. The Multicultural Leadership award is reserved for individuals of color who have made a difference through their achievements and exemplify the ability to excel in their field. These individuals have achieved excellence despite the odds.

On day two of the conference, prominent female business leaders were recognized during breakfast with the Texas Most Powerful and Influential Award. This award honors women who have sustained a record of accomplishments, have clout within their organization, and demonstrate leadership and commitment to their community well being. Three extraordinary leaders were also recognized with the DiversityFIRST Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals within the legal, academic, corporate, an health community that have sustained commitment to the pursuit of cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The Texas Diversity Council would like to thank all the sponsors, speakers and attendees for helping to make this event a success.

Event program booklets and photos can be viewed on our timeline



Click to View Most Powerful and Influential Women Award Winners
Most Powerful and Influential Women Award Winners
Alison L. Chen
Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Bonnie Houston
Senior VP, Human Resources & Administration
National Oilwell Varco
Deneen Donnley
Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
USAA
Stacy Doré
Executive VP & General Counsel
Energy Future Holdings Corp
Gina Luna
Chairman, Houston Region
JP Morgan Chase
Grace B. Holmes
VP, Corporate Secretary & Chief Governance Officer
Cameron International Corporation
Jennifer Kinney Parnell
Partner
Locke Lord LLP
Jennifer Stewart
Senior VP, Tax & Treasury
Southwestern Energy Company
Leane K. Capps
Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Ophelia F Camiña
Partner
Susman Godfrey
Kristy N. Waterman
Vice President, Chief Counsel – Corporate and Corporate Secretary
Dean Foods Company
Click to View Diversity Champion Award Winners
Diversity Champion Award Winners
Geronimo M. Rodriguez Jr.
VP, Advocacy and External Affairs
Seton Healthcare Family
Shelly Whitelock
District Manager, Coastal Bay Market
Wells Fargo
Diamond Sanders
Quality Assurance Analyst
Wells Fargo, Dallas Region
Justin Tredway
Account Executive
Aerotek, Inc.
Tina McDaniel Mendler
Inclusion & Engagement Specialist
Tesoro Corporation
Alicia De Leon
Regional Sales Manager
Burnett Specialists
Click to View Multicultural Leadership Award Winners
Multicultural Leadership Award Winners
Edward B. Adams Jr.
Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright
Fernando Osorio
Retired VP
Hewlett Packard
Purvi Patel Albers
Partner
Haynes & Boone
Rohby Word Mitchell
Director of Diversity and HR Compliance
Spectra Energy
Spring Williams-Cox
Operations Division Director
UPS
Stephen Metoyer
Tax Principal
Deloitte
Sudhir Pai
Managing Director
Schlumberger-Liquid Robotics JV
Tandra Jackson
Partner
KPMG
Dale Wainwright
Partner
Bracewell LLP
Tabre Malik
CFO, Commercial Operations
GEO Oil & Gas North America & Global Complex COE
Click to View Leadership Excellence Award Winners
Leadership Excellence Award Winners
Matt Brand
Senior VP, Corporate Partnerships
Houston Astros
Toby Zyroll
President
National Oilwell Varco
Click to View DiversityFIRST™ Award Winners
DiversityFIRST™ Award Winners
Dr. Heather H. Martinez
Senior Director, Office of Community Engagement
Houston Astros
Roderick Brown
Community Relations/HR
UPS
Vandi Theriot
VP, Talent Services
TDECU-Your Credit Union

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