RI SHRM - Inclusion Conference

Friday, March 28 | Providence Marriott | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Navigating the Evolving DEI Landscape

As legal challenges and policy changes reshape the DEI landscape, organizations must navigate new complexities to ensure compliance while maintaining inclusive workplaces. This session will provide a comprehensive analysis of recent legal rulings, legislative updates, and emerging trends that impact DEI initiatives in the workplace and beyond.

RI SHRM & Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP) partner and invite you to our Inclusion Conference 2025 at the Providence Marriott on Friday, March 28, 2025.

In an era of rapid change and evolving challenges, the 2025 Inclusion Conference invites us to focus on what truly connects us: our shared humanity. This year's theme, Building Bridges Through Belonging, explores the power of fostering inclusivity, understanding, and genuine connection in our communities and workplaces.

We aim to spark bold conversations that challenge norms, confront biases, and dismantle barriers to equity. These dialogues will set the stage for brave actions, inspiring transformative strategies to create environments where everyone feels valued, seen, and empowered to thrive.

Join us to explore cutting-edge insights, practical tools, and stories of resilience that illuminate the path toward a more inclusive and compassionate world. Let’s build bridges and shape a future grounded in belonging for all.

REGISTER HERE

Sessions Overview

Turning Insights into Action: Building Your Personal Impact Strategy

This session is designed to help participants reflect on what they've learned, translate those lessons into practical actions, and develop a clear roadmap aligning with their professional roles and personal growth.

Achieving Your Organizational Strategic Plan Through the Power of
Inclusive Excellence

This session will explore how organizations can move beyond traditional terminology while maintaining impact, embedding inclusion, belonging, and just practices into strategic planning to drive innovation, market expansion, and sustainable growth.

Instability in the Workplace:
What's Disrupting You to A.C.T

In this interactive panel discussion, attendees will explore the key elements of a thriving workplace—Accountability, Communication, and Trust (A.C.T)—and how instability can disrupt these pillars, affecting both team dynamics and overall organizational performance.

By the end of these session, you will:

Understand Key Legal Changes – Gain clarity on recent court rulings, state and federal legislative shifts, and their impact on workplace DEI policies.
Navigate Compliance with Confidence – Learn how to align DEI initiatives with evolving legal frameworks while maintaining a commitment to inclusion.
Implement Risk-Mitigation Strategies – Discover proactive approaches to ensure DEI programs remain legally sound and effective.
Balance Free Speech & Inclusion – Explore best practices for fostering open dialogue while upholding workplace inclusivity.
Develop Actionable Next Steps – Receive tools and templates to assess current DEI efforts and refine policies in response to legal shifts.

Main Stage Speakers

Aleysha Asghar
Shareholder
Co-Chair, EEO & Diversity Practice Group
Littler Mendelson P.C.

Francesco A. DeLuca

Shareholder

Ogletree Deakins

Kevin Matta

Senior Director, People & Culture

United Way of RI

Ellijah McLean

Manager, Policy & Government Relations

United Way of RI

Keith Stokes

RI Department of Administration

State of Rhode Island

BREAKOUT SESSION SPEAKERS

Christina Battista

Supported Employment Coordinator
Skills for RI's Future

Danielle Hetu

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Paralyzed Veterans of America

Amanda Román

Director of Development And Communications

Project Weber/RENEW

Ruben Tejada

Manager of DEI

Neighborhood Health Plan of
Rhode Island

Vanessa Vigil

Belonging & Equity Coordinator

Brown University Health

Providence Marriott

Downtown

1 Orms Street
Providence, RI 02904

TELL ME MORE

Become a sponsor by contacting Lynn Corwin at ri.shrm.state.chapter.director@gmail.com. To view our Sponsorship Opportunities,
CLICK HERE >