Sponsored by the WELL Center in the Anderson College of Business at Regis University and the Women's and Gender Studies Program

The 2019 Women and Leadership Conference at Regis University will focus on what’s needed to create an inclusive organization where women are not seen as a diversity goal but as key contributing members.

The speakers presenting are industry experts and researchers that will identify the key actions that need to be taken to achieve this goal. Whether you’re seeking to make your organizations more inclusive or you’re an individual wanting to name and overcome stumbling blocks, the 2019 Women and Leadership Conference will provide you with crucial insight.

Our first two conferences were rousing successes. Lively conversations and presentations focused on discussing the challenges, opportunities and leadership skills needed for women in the workplace. We want to leverage on that success and the budding networks we created to expand and build our third conference.

Elaine Marino, our keynote speaker, is a recognized advocate for women and non-binary individuals in technology, an industry with a tremendous diversity gap. Founder of CoDiv and the LadyCoders conference, she will discuss how inclusion is different than diversity and what the benefit of this difference is to organizations and women. Following her insight, we will interact with a panel of extraordinary professionals that will discuss what’s currently being done to include women, women of color and other non-dominant groups in organizations across Colorado. The closing talks cover recruitment and how to handle harassment at work. You will have opportunities to network and create connections with likeminded people that can support you in your career.

This conference aligns with Regis University’s mission to improve society. By helping our community build their skills, they will be able to take positive steps in their own lives and advance society.

We hope you leave with a set of actionable steps and new contacts to empower you to make a difference and achieve your goals.

The conference will take place:

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mar. 23
Regis University's Northwest Denver Campus
Claver Hall, Room 315*

*Please note the new venue for this event as of March 12, 2019.

Agenda

8:30 a.m.    Breakfast

9 a.m.         Keynote speech, Inclusivity vs. Diversity: Elaine Marino          

9:45 a.m.    Panel Discussion: Rodney S. Patterson, Lisa Summerour, Ed.D., Pattie Money, Liz Reyes        

10:45 a.m.  Break

11 a.m.       Inclusive Recruitment: Wendy Bohling and Eugene Wilkerson, Ph. D.

12:15 p.m.  Lunch

1:15 p.m.    Harassment Management: Maria A. Quijada, Ph.D.

2:30 p.m.    End


Meet our keynote speaker

Elaine Marino
Elaine Marino is the director of diversity and inclusion strategy at a US financial firm. She knows first-hand how diverse, unique perspectives are invaluable for a thriving workspace. Prior to entering financial services, Elaine spearheaded a movement to transform diversity in the tech space as founder of Equili, CoDiv and the LadyCoders conference.

As a developer, she saw how women and minorities were woefully underrepresented in software development. During her tenure at Equili, she designed, implemented and managed events, workshops and content aimed at bringing more diversity into the tech arena. As the founder of CoDiv, she co-created a community organization providing a safe space to learn, share and support people who care about diversity and inclusion. As founder of the LadyCoders conference, she helps women and non-binary technologists, who are on the front lines of tech’s diversity and inclusion problem, thrive in their careers and stay in the industry.

In 2018, she was the recipient of the Micki Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award from SIM Women for her work mentoring women in tech. Elaine is an accomplished public speaker and an alumna of Georgetown University.

Meet our panelists

Rodney S. Patterson
Rodney Patterson is one of the nation’s most effective and engaging diversity and inclusion organizers. He has worked as a consultant for Fortune 500 organizations, governmental, nonprofit and social services agencies.

He has also worked with professional sports franchises including the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets on diversity matters.

Lisa Summerour, Ed.D.
As senior vice president of consulting services, Summerour relies on her skills as a facilitator, presenter and empowerment coach to help leaders establish a consensus across multiple organizational levels.

She has more than 30 years of experience in sales and customer service, is a professionally trained life coach and certified WholeBrain practitioner. She is co-author of “The 4-Tions: Your Guide to Developing Successful Job Search Strategies,” which has been distributed to more than 20 countries.

Pattie Money
Pattie Money has more than 20 years of HR leadership experience, with the last 15 years in the technology sector. As the chief people officer at SendGrid, Pattie is responsible for the strategies and programs that support growth while preserving and enhancing culture.

Pattie has previously served as chief people officer at TubeMogul and senior vice president of human resources for Mercury Payment Systems.

Liz Reyes
Originally from Mexico, Liz Reyes moved to Denver in 1991 where she has had the privilege of living a bi-cultural experience and embracing Denver’s diverse landscape. Her real estate career spans 17 years, including owning and managing a real estate brokerage firm. She also serves as a communications and community engagement specialist for a diverse population in Denver Public Schools.

Meet our presenters

Eugene Wilkerson, Ph.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Eugene Wilkerson is an associate professor and assistant dean for mission and student success at Regis University. He teaches classes on leadership and HR, and furthers interdisciplinary research. Prior to academia, Wilkerson spent 15 years in the private sector at State Farm Insurance and Financial Services. He has served on several nonprofit boards with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, Pikes Peak United Way and the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau. 

Wendy Bohling
Wendy Bohling is a speaker, thought leader and business consultant on leveraging the financial rewards of gender equality and inclusive leadership.  As the CEO of Corporate Cowgirl Up and author of the best-selling book “Cowgirl Up: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Corporate Frontier,” she has more than 30 years as an executive in the corporate saddle at some of the top telecom Fortune 100 companies and health care IT startups.


Maria Alejandra Quijada, Ph.D.
Maria Quijada is a professor of management and leadership. She teaches classes in management, leadership, diversity and women in business. She holds a doctorate in management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her areas of scholarly expertise include organizational change, culture, issues for women in business and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Her work experience includes the telecommunication, lottery and consumer product industries.


We would like to thank our sponsors for supporting this event