Register Now for Houston’s 15^th Annual Diversity Summit

Promoting Next-Generation Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion for Optimum Business Performance

April 14, 2015 (Houston) – The 15th annual Diversity Summit is taking place on May 8, 2015, at Sugar Land Marriott Town  Square, 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479.  Co-Chaired by Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Chancellor, Houston Community College, and James Haynes, VP, U.S. HR, Spectra Energy, this year’s theme is “Preparing Next-Generation Leaders.” Since 2001, the annual Diversity Summit brings together organizations and individuals from across the Houston area to champion Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in the workplace as a strategic enrichment of business performance. With logistics support by the Association of Chinese-American Professionals (ACAP), the annual Diversity Summit convenes more than 500 attendees from both public and private sectors representing top Houston educational, institutional and global organizations.

The event officially begins at 9:00 am, with a plenary session introduced by Angela Chen of KRTK-TV. Following brief remarks by ACAP President Dr. K.C. Wang and Summit Co-Chairs, keynote plenary speaker Courtney Lynch – Founder of Lead Star, a service-disabled veteran-owned and a women-owned company, who is also a nationally recognized diversity leader and former Captain in the U.S. Marines – will speak on “Leading from the Front.” Ms. Lynch will build the case for a new approach to diversity leadership leveraging innovative D&I strategies and skills to address professional and personal challenges.

The Summit features prominent diversity speakers and leaders from an inspiring array of educational, corporate and entrepreneurialgroups. This year, participants warm up with “Diversity and Inclusion 101,” an early morning session highlighting the defining issues in D&I, underscoring equity as a guiding force for effective relations. Chaired by Dr. Cephas Archie, D&I Program Coordinator, Houston Community College, speaker Dr. Michele Kahn, Associate Professor of University of Houston – Clear Lake, will separate myth from fact surrounding cultural identity, diversity and inclusion, and discuss a path forward for individual, social and institutional transformation. Elizabeth Campbell, Partner and Chief Diversity Officer of Andrews Kurth LLP, will also address an early session for event sponsors.

During a series of four concurrent sessions led by distinguished D&I champions from well-known Houston-area organizations, topicsinclude Hispanic Leadership in Corporate America; Unconscious Bias; Talent Alignment as a Driver for Diversity; and Supplier Diversity. During the day, participants can take advantage of complimentary career consultations and optional break-out sessions addressing topics such as Culture and Learning; Professional Development Planning; Workplace Authenticity; Dispelling Myths aboutDisabilities; Student Leadership; Effective Leadership in a World of Differences; and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.

Event co-chairs will also name and honor two deserving Diversity Champions from the area during luncheon. The objectives of the event include sharing best practices on integrating D&I in the workforce, providing professional development and thought leadership opportunities, and facilitating networking and supplier diversity opportunities.

Conference registration is $85 per person, with discounts for students, non-profit, and area chamber members. Visit www.diversitysummit.org for information and registration. Attendees can receive seven (7) hours of CC credit from the Society of HR Management.

Media Contact: Cecil Fong, cecil.fong@gmail.com