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McNair Hall, Rice Business

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference

The best business decisions are informed by a multitude of perspectives.

Sparking Success: The Intersection of Business and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Date: Friday, October 28, 2022
9:00 am – 4:00 pm CST
McNair Hall, Rice University

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At Rice Business, we endeavor to create a rich learning environment that considers and appreciates a multitude of perspectives that lead to enhanced decision-making. We consider this mindset a critical leadership skill in today’s increasingly global and inclusive workplace.

Sparking Success, our diversity conference, is designed to provide a forum for awareness, dialogue and skill-building around issues of diversity and inclusion as it relates to the business world.

If interested in sponsorship, please contact Lina Y. Bell at 713-348-4731.

2022 SPONSORS

Phillips66
NRG Business
Accenture Strategy

 

*All events in Shell Auditorium – McNair Hall unless otherwise indicated.

2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference Agenda:

*Please Be Advised: Photos and Recordings During Conference

Time (CST) Description
8:45am – 9:15am Registration - 1st Floor Rotunda - McNair Hall
9:15am – 9:30am

Welcome

  • Peter Rodriguez, Dean and Professor of Strategic Management, Rice Business

Introduction - Alfonso Cortes Gonzales, MBA Candidate '23

9:30am – 10:30am

Keynote Address - My Journey to Becoming an Accidental Tech & Intentionally Inclusive CEO

Introduction - Adrienne S. Miller, MBA Candidate '24

10:30am – 11:30am

Corporate Insider Perspectives

Panelists:

  • Aisha Washington, CPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
    Vice-President, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • Adrienne Trimble, Vice President, Chief Diversity and Culture Officer, Sysco
  • Sue Frerichs, Consulting Managing Director - Mergers and Acquisitions, Deloitte Consulting, LLP 
  • Sheila Enriquez, CPA, JD, CFF, CVA - Chief DE&I Officer and Texas Market Leader, Crowe LLP

Moderator: Victoria Hills, MBA '22, North America Sales and Service HR Business Partner Molecular Devices, a Danaher Company

Introduction - Chelsea Clark, MBA Candidate '23

11:30am – 12:30pm

Lunch - Anderson Family Commons - Room 115

Remarks: Constance Porter, Ph.D. Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Associate Professor of Marketing, Rice Business
12:30pm – 1:30pm

Our Stories: Faces of First-Generation Professionals

  • Dr. Luziris Pineda Turi (they/them), Associate Vice-Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Associate Teaching Professor of Spanish @ CLIC, Rice University
  • Marcus Wade, MBA Candidate '23 - Fellow, Rice Business Board Fellows
  • Kalyn Speck, MBA Candidate '24 - 1st Year Rep, Rice Business Student Association
  • Marcus Owens Jr., MBA '10, Senior Manager, Capgemini

Introduction - Natalie Burges, MBA Candidate '23 - DEI Liasion, Rice Business Student Association MBA-P

1:30pm – 2:30pm

Breakout Sessions

Option A - The Power of Language: LGBTQ+ Perspectives - Room 212

  • Regina Edwards (she/her), DEI Specialist, Rice Business DEI Office
  • Brian Riedel (he/him), Associate Director, Center for Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality; Adjunct Assistant Professor, Rice University
  • Priscilla M. Hernandez (she/they), Marketing Specialist - Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Rice University
  • Abhimanyu Bansal (he/him), MBA Candidate ‘23, Co-President, Out and Allied Club
  • Megan Smith (they/them), MBA '22 , Consultant, EY Parthenon

Introduction - John Dampf, MBA Candidate ’23 - President, Men as Allies

Option B - Overcoming Imposter Anxiety - Room 218 (concludes at 2:45pm)

Introduction - Rachael Sweetman, MBA Candidate ’23 - Co-President, Out and Allied Club

2:30pm – 3:30pm

Networking Reception - Anderson Family Commons - Room 115

 

Past Conferences

Please explore the agendas from past conferences. 

Have a Question?

Lina Bell
Executive Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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