Agenda & Speakers

Connecting the Work

The sessions are about integrating ERG and Council insights. We’ll share practical approaches for aligning group goals with business outcomes, and tapping into the breadth of impacts in the marketplace, workplace, workforce, and communities. 

Keeping it Human

This work is done by people, for people. Sessions focus on building leadership capacity and continuity, designing for your full workforce, and creating connections that reach across business and location silos. .

The Long Game

These sessions are for leaders thinking beyond the current program calendar to position ERGs and Councils for a workforce being reshaped by generational turnover, AI-driven change, and shifting expectations about work.

Agenda

Monday, November 9, 2026

Start Time

End Time

Event

6:00 PM8:00 PMEarly Registration
7:00 PM9:00 PMEvening Meet-Ups and Activations

Start Time

End Time

Event

8:00 AM9:00 AMRegistration
9:00 AM10:45 AMOpening Session
11:00 AM12:15 PMBREAKOUT SESSIONS
12:30 PM1:30 PMLunch
1:45 PM3:00 PMBREAKOUT SESSIONS
3:15 PM4:00 PMNetworking Activity
4:00 PM5:30 PMRest and Recharge (or Activate!) Break
5:30 PM6:30 PMWelcome Reception
6:30 PM8:00 PMSponsor Reception

Start Time

End Time

Event

7:30 AM8:30 AMBreakfast
8:30 AM9:00 AMMorning Keynote
9:15 AM10:30 AMBREAKOUT SESSIONS
11:00 AM1:00 PMAwards Gala Luncheon
1:00 PM1:30 PMAwards Photos and Networking
1:30 PM2:30 PMExecutive Panel and Future Focus
2:40 PM3:30 PMPhotos and Connections

Sessions

Sessions Include:

Click on an item below to view the description.

Keynote
Business Impact Track
Development & Talent Track
Growth and ROI Track
Activation Sessions
Hackathon

KEYNOTE

From Retention to Regeneration: Building Workplaces Where Humans Actually Want to Stay

Retention strategies often feel like cages. Regeneration strategies are gardens that nurture your organization. This keynote explores the difference, and why your best people can tell the difference instantly. Anna Ettin will guide leaders to uncover the hidden costs of outdated retention tactics, understand generational expectations shaping the future of work, and design regenerative systems that turn disengagement into loyalty. The result? Workplaces that thrive not by force, but by choice.

BUSINESS IMPACT TRACK

In the Business Impact Track, we’ll explore leading research, proven strategies, and new tactics to answer the key question, “How do we achieve strong and sustainable ERG impacts?

From Inbox to Impact: Tech-Driven Strategies for ERG Success
Speakers: Lance Cagnolatti & Shelton Rankin

Discover how tech and tools can transform ERG operations—less admin, more impact.

The ERG x HR Power Move: Driving Culture, Talent & Results

Speaker: Gena Pirtle

Learn actionable strategies to activate ERGs as core engines of engagement and business impact.

What’s Next for ERGs? New Frameworks Reshaping the Field

Speaker: Theresa Welbourne

See how strategy, design, and data are reshaping ERGs into recognized business drivers.

Development Track

In the Development & Talent Track, we’ll dive deep in people-focused sessions to answer the key question,  “How do we center people in ways that maximize development through our ERGs?”

Building Intersectional Belonging Beyond the Binary: Designing for Queer, BIPOC, Disabled, and Neurodivergent Employees
Speaker: Ky’Lend Adams

Go beyond silos to design ERGs that reflect the real, complex identities of your people.

The Knowledge Transfer Blueprint: Generational Synergy Through ERGs
Speaker: Anna Ettin

Protect institutional knowledge and spark next-gen innovation through generational ERG strategies.

When the Fire Burns Out, We Rebuild Together
Speaker: Emily Fornara

Burnout ends where connection begins. Join this think-tank on how to rebuild energy and resilience in your ERGs.

Growth and ROI Track

In the Growth and ROI Track, we’ll share tested methods and award-winning examples to answer the key question, “How do we amplify the ERG return on investment?”
Activating Allyship for ERG Impact
Speakers: Aimee Broadhurst & Anna Ettin

Transform allyship from a buzzword into a force multiplier that expands influence, increases resources, and accelerates ERG ROI.

Beyond Silos: Collaboration as the Cornerstone of ERG Sustainability
Speakers: Aimee Broadhurst & Kevin England

Build intentional ERG partnerships that increase visibility, reduce burnout, and deliver bigger results.

The ROI on ERGs: Connecting Employee Resource Groups to Business Metrics

Speaker: Kevin England

Learn to prove and improve ROI by linking ERG strategies to workforce, workplace, and marketplace results.

ACTIVATION SESSIONS

Activation Sessions

Powerful sessions build strategic conversations! Join the breakout speakers from each track for a rapid-fire recap followed by an open forum designed to surface intersections, spark dialogue, and move from passive learning to active strategy. Whether you’re here to question, build, or accelerate, this session is your activation zone.  
  • Business Impact Track Activation Session
  • Development & Talent Track Activation Session
  • Growth & ROI Track Activation Session

hackathon

GEN Hackathons: Where the Conversation Becomes Action

Close out GENC 2025 by building what’s next. These 75-minute, high-energy Hackathons are your chance to move from insight to output. In small teams, you’ll generate bold solutions to real challenges — and your work will live on in the post-conference kit for attendees. 

 

This is a crowd-powered design sprint aligned to GEN’s mission to move ERGs from advocacy to impact.

ERG Strategy Lab

Want to fast-forward your group’s impact? This session helps you sharpen your business case by designing a pilot initiative or proposal that connects your ERG’s mission to a measurable organizational goal. From stakeholder alignment to success metrics, you’ll walk away with a strategic pitch ready for prime time.

ERG Future Lab

ERGs themselves are evolving while leading organizational innovation and change. In this session, you’ll design future-forward structures and strategies for ERGs to operate as core business assets. Whether it’s a new leadership pipeline, cross-functional influence model, or bold internal partnership, you’ll imagine and build the future of your groups next together! 

Employee Lifecycle Lab

ERGs can make a positive impact on how employees enter and experience the company. In this session, you’ll reimagine onboarding and key touchpoints through the lens of your ERGs. From welcome rituals to manager alignment and post-90-day follow-ups, you’ll shape ideas that show how ERGs can shape the first year and beyond by accelerating connection, purpose, and retention.

This Is Not Business as Usual.

ERGs and Councils are under the spotlight like never before.

The world is asking: Can you move the needle?

We’re answering: Yes! And we’re just getting started.

The 2025 Global ERG Network Conference is a call to action and we’re looking for speakers ready to lead the charge.

If you’re evolving ERGs and Councils from passion projects into powerful business drivers without losing heart, humanity, or impact – we want you on the GENC stage.

Ideal Topics Include:
  • Aligning ERGs to business priorities without losing their soul
  • Telling the ERG story with data, influence, and visibility
  • Building executive sponsorship that’s more than a signature
  • Addressing burnout, scaling sustainably, leading authentically
  • Unlocking how ERGs impact retention, innovation, and customer connection

 

Case studies. Fresh, unfiltered leadership insights. Bring it all.

Why Speak at GENC 2025?
  • Invaluable connections with attendees and other experts
  • Access to curated networking with decision-makers
  • Post-conference session spotlight in GEN’s resource hub
  • Speaker digital badge for LinkedIn and professional use

 Your voice matters and so does your presence. We’ll take care of your registration and travel.

Who Should Apply?

We’re seeking a wide range of voices including:
  • ERG and Council leaders who are making an impact
  • HR and Culture leaders who are invested in the success of ERG and Councils
  • Big thinkers and innovators with new approaches to key challenges

Applications closed for 2026.

What will catch our attention:
  • We prioritize sessions that are interactive, bold, and immediately actionable.
  • We’re especially interested in sessions led by current or former ERG and Council leaders who can share real examples (the good, the bad, and the breakthroughs) of how they made an impact.
  • We welcome both experienced speakers and emerging voices.
  • Global and cross-industry perspectives are strongly encouraged.

Current & Prior Year Speakers

  • Speaker icon
    2026 SPEAKERS
  • Evoto
    Monica Brunache

    Co-Founder
    Tapestry Partner Solutions

  • Kevin England
    Kevin England, Ph.D.

    Coach, Consultant, Facilitator,
    and Educator

  • Anna Ettin
    Anna Ettin
    Co-Founder
    Tapestry Partner Solutions
  • Brian Fishbone
    Brian Fishbone

    Principal Advisor at Inclusion on Demand 

     

  • Elias-Lemon
    Elias Lemon

    Vice President of Belonging and Engagement, NMDP

     

  • Rich Robles- Headshot
    Rich Robles

    Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Boston Children’s Hospital

     

  • Pranika_Uppal-Sinha_330x440-330x330
    Pranika Sinha

    Managing Director, Culture & Org Development, Greystone

     

  • Speaker icon
    2025 SPEAKERS
  • Ky Lend J Adams HeadShot
    Ky'Lend J Adams

     Program Manager, HubSpot

  • Aimee Broadhurst
    Aimee K. Broadhurst

    Founder, Inclusive Spaces

  • Evoto
    Monica Brunache

    Co-Founder
    Tapestry Partner Solutions

  • Lance T. Cagnolatti
    Lance Cagnolatti
    Employee Experience Specialist III, Entergy – Workforce Strategies Department
  • Kevin England
    Kevin England, Ph.D.

    Coach, Consultant, Facilitator,
    and Educator

  • Anna Ettin
    Anna Ettin
    Co-Founder
    Tapestry Partner Solutions
  • Emily Fornara
    Emily Fornara
    Senior Shared Services Manager in Human Resources,
    Echo Global Logistics
  • Ivey Ghee
    Ivey Ghee, Emcee

    Lead Consultant,
    The Hospitality G, LLC

  • Elias-Lemon
    Elias Lemon

    Vice President of Belonging and Engagement, NMDP

     

  • Gina_Pirtle
    Gina Pirtle

    Founder & Chief Strategist, The People Equation™

  • Shelton Rankin
    Shelton Rankin
    Founder & CEO, The Blu Sage
  • Shelton Rankin
    Shelton Rankin
    Founder & CEO, The Blu Sage
  • Rich Robles- Headshot
    Rich Robles

    Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Boston Children’s Hospital

     

  • Pranika_Uppal-Sinha_330x440-330x330
    Pranika Sinha

    Managing Director, Culture & Org Development, Greystone

     

  • Theresa M. Welbourne, PhD
    Theresa M. Welbourne, PhD

    President & CEO, eepulse

Become a Speaker

Speaker applications for the 2026 Annual Conference are closed.

Anna Ettin

Anna Ettin is an idea generator and connections catalyst, bringing together people, products and knowledge. She’s spent 25 years developing employees at two of the largest companies in the world. Her most recent role at Amazon included the scaling of the company’s employee-led groups to 2,000+ chapters reaching more than 180,000 employees in 54 countries.

 

Anna is the co-founder of the consulting group Tapestry Partner Solutions, focused on organizational transformations with people-centric practices. Her specialties include intergenerational dynamics, employee engagement and ERG strategies, leadership coaching, and talent development. Anna speaks to the messy, beautiful, and often painful realities of leading people at work, and gives audiences the frameworks and fire to lead better, bolder, and braver.

Brian Fishbone

Brian Fishbone is passionate about education and community building, which he uses to advance diverse representation and cultivate inclusion and belonging in the workplace. His purpose is to help others, do, be, and feel better so that they can thrive in life. He has developed and implemented global diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives that increased representation and advancement of underrepresented talent at Fortune 500 companies and startups and designed and delivered corporate learning that propelled the careers of tens of thousands of employees worldwide. 

 

Brian has 20+ years of experience in diversity, inclusion, and belonging and corporate learning, with specialization in employee resource group (ERG) management, inclusion and belonging, and mitigation of unconscious bias in HR and leadership practices. Currently, Brian serves as principal and founder of Inclusion on Demand, where his client engagements focus on DE&I and ERG Management Continuity, ERG Creation, Infrastructure, and Evolution, Facilitation of DE&I Training, People Process Assessment, and DE&I Conference Keynote Presentations, Breakout Facilitation, and Panel Moderation. Most well-known for his ERG expertise spanning more than a decade, Brian specializes in helping clients develop ERG strategy, infrastructure, and cross-collaboration and providing them with practical resources including ready-to-use procedural playbooks for volunteers, annual business planning templates, and more. Direct and indirect clients have included Google, Levi Strauss, Anthem Blue Cross/Elevance Health, Cetera Financial Group, Food Lion Supermarkets, Chubb, and Unilever. 

 

Brian’s experience inside of companies includes serving as the first Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging for self-driving car company Cruise Automation, where he developed a multi-year strategic plan for building and retaining diverse teams, ensuring inclusion, and creating a culture of belonging. The plan delivered customized reporting solutions for measuring and analyzing optional self-identification data, more innovative sourcing of underrepresented minority talent, strategic evolution of employee resource groups, and more equitable professional development and performance evaluation processes. Prior to Cruise, Brian served as Diversity and Inclusion Manager at the financial services firm Vanguard, where he helped build and sustain the company’s employee resources group program across the globe, developed practical resources for more inclusive leadership, and partnered with key stakeholders across all HR functions to mitigate unconscious bias in people processes. 

 

In addition, Brian has extensive experience in corporate learning and university teaching and holds an MBA in human resources management. Outside of work, Brian enjoys learning about new cultures. He has visited more than 40 countries on 6 continents, taught English as a Second Language in Korea, and studied abroad in Spain and Argentina. 

 

For more information, please visit Inclusion on Demand and LinkedIn.

For a 2-minute sample of Brian’s dynamic and engaging presentation style, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-DfFCqOlok&t=1s. 

Ivey Ghee
Hospitality G Logo

Ivey Ghee, Emcee

Ivey Ghee is a business owner and lead consultant at The Hospitality G, LLC, which specializes in motivating hospitable behavior in the workplace. She is an energetic outgoing motivational speaker that loves spreading her joy and passion throughout Greensboro and beyond. Ivey was l of 4 to receive a LGBTQIA Community Enrichment Award from Elon University in 2018. Ivey was “Made in Greensboro” in July of 2017 featured as a “Community Builder” , and currently serves as Chair on the LGBTQ Task Force for Guilford County Schools.

 

Currently, Ivey consults for the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Atrium Health Wake Forest, in an effort to foster inclusivity and authenticity with all particularly those within the LGBTe+ community. She’s assisted with the ‘We Ask WE Care’ mandatory training offered via Healthstream in 2019 and conducted panel discussions on topics such as — Faith and the LgBTe community; Intersectionality; parents and LGBTQ – coming out and being accepted Ivey launched in person and virtual monthly Safe Zone in medicine training system-wide and helps with department level training. She also designed the Badge buddy requirement process.

 

Ivey is also contracted by Guilford County Schools Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion to educate staff on Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation provided by the Gender Spectrum Network. She is also a Contract Facilitator for The North Carolina Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Of the Piedmont

Ky'Lend J Adams

Ky’Lend J Adams

 Ky’Lend J. Adams is a certified Organizational Development Consultant specializing in creating and executing inclusive strategies for media, entertainment, and tech organizations. He is currently a Program Manager at HubSpot, a global leader in software solutions that empowers businesses to scale. Ky’Lend plays a key role in fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment, ensuring that HubSpot’s global team thrives within an environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated and innovation is encouraged. 

 

Previously, Ky’Lend was a Manager in the Office of Global Inclusion at Paramount Global, where he partnered with 15 global brands and 14 business units, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount+, and others, to drive diversity of thought and foster an inclusive culture. Before that, he worked at The Walt Disney Company, where he worked with a team of theatre practitioners to engage communities and connect audiences to Broadway and touring performances. 

 

Ky’Lend holds a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Media Production & Criticism and a minor in Theatre from George Mason University. He is currently pursuing an M.P.S. in Organization Development and Change from Penn State University. 

Aimee K. Broadhurst

Founder of Inclusive Space, equips Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders with the knowledge, tools, and templates to balance their paid jobs with their passion jobs. She has over 15 years of experience working with ERGs, their leaders, and Executive Sponsors, serving herself for nine years in various ERG leadership roles in a Fortune 500. During her four years as Enterprise Co-Lead for Bank of America’s LGBTQ+ ERG, her efforts included leading the collaborative design and development of the organization’s allyship program, inspiring more than 20,000 employees to take action to learn and demonstrate their allyship to the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Aimee is widely recognized as an ERG expert and clients describe her as authentic, mission-focused, and dedicated to positively impacting their leaders and organizations. She is a sought-after teacher, facilitator, and speaker. She is an active ally and an expert in developing and launching Allyship Programs. She is the author of The ERG Handbook—Everything You Wanted to Know About Employee Resource Groups But Didn’t Know Who to Ask and The ERG Handbook Companion Workbook. Aimee and the Inclusive Space team have trained thousands of leaders and Executive Sponsors to Launch, Grow, and Thrive their ERGS through workshops and e-learning programs.

 

Aimee is a life-long learner, deeply connected and active in her local community. She enjoys singing, reading, watching crime TV and documentaries, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Emily Fornara

Emily Fornara is the Senior Shared Services Manager in Human Resources at Echo Global Logistics. A committed member of Echo’s Business Resource Groups (BRGs) since 2020, she became a leading voice in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts after joining the HR team in 2021. Emily’s work centers on cultivating cultures where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead with authenticity. In 2024, she spearheaded a transformative redesign of Echo’s BRG strategy to address growing burnout among BRG leaders, implementing new systems of support, recognition, and connection. Named one of Diversity MBA’s Top 100 Under 50 Executive and Emerging Leaders for her impact in the DEI space, Emily is passionate about acknowledging the emotional toll of this work and about building communities that ensure no one has to carry that weight alone.

Monica Brunache

Monica is the Co-Founder and Executive Officer of Organizational & Employee Strategy of Tapestry Partner Solutions (TPS), a business consultancy which specializes in intergenerational dynamics, transformational leadership, change adoption, and employee well-being. In combination with her own personal experiences and the experiences of those she has mentored, Monica developed a passion for cultivating innovative solutions to Employee Experience and Organizational Design opportunities in the workplace and community.

Prior to launching TPS, Monica worked in the financial industry in various leadership roles within Global Technology & Operations, Human Resources, and Enterprise Services. She has over a decade of experience transforming business strategies and priorities into tangible plans while closing the gap between employee skills and business needs. As the first Director of PMO & Operational Effectiveness at Amex, she implemented the vision, strategy, and process for a newly established project management and change initiatives team. At Bank of America, she managed a preferred vendor for enterprise and regulatory training, developed career management programs, and led employee engagement initiatives. In addition, she held multiple DE&I leadership roles during her tenure, including with the Inter-Generational Employee Network and created and chaired the Triad Employee Network Council that managed and advised 7 employee resource groups.

 

In her community, she volunteers with Greensboro Chambers of Commerce’s Other Voices Diversity Leadership Program and she is a Board Advisor for Empowered Girls of North Carolina. She is a Leadership Greensboro graduate and received a Leaders in Diversity 2022 award from the Triad Business Journal.

Kevin England, Ph.D.

Kevin England, Ph.D.is a coach, consultant, facilitator, and educator in Human Resource Management (HRM), with specializations in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), talent development, employee engagement, people analytics, and organizational culture. His career has included internal HRM roles, individual coaching, organizational consulting, teaching at the university level, and higher education administration. After completing his Ph.D. studies in Human Capital Management, with a focus in DEI programs in the workplace, Dr. England shifted his career focus to help individuals, teams, and organizations leverage their strengths in the workplace to realize their infinite human potential.

 

As a speaker, presenter, and facilitator, Dr. England has brought his years of experience and knowledge to workshops and expert panels at events such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conferences, the Forum on Workplace Inclusion, the Academy of Management, the Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology, and the Out & Equal Workplace Summit. In the field of higher education, Dr. England has taught Human Resources, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Management, and Leadership at the undergraduate, Master’s, and doctoral level. He earned the full-time academic rank of Associate Professor, has been the course or academic program lead at multiple universities, and served as the Assistant Dean of a College of Business and Management.

 

Dr. England holds professional credentials as a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Gallup-Certified Manager, SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), Certified Diversity Executive (CDE),Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Six Sigma Black Belt. He has also earned the SHRM Inclusive Workplace Culture, SHRM People Analytics, SHRM Talent Acquisition, and SHRM Workplace Investigations specialty credentials.

Elias Lemon

Elias Lemon serves as the Vice President of Belonging & Engagement at NMDP, where he leads enterprise efforts to create a workplace where every employee feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. His work centers on advancing equitable systems, strengthening inclusive leadership capabilities, and fostering authentic connection across teams.

 

Drawing from more than two decades of leadership experience, Elias is known for transforming strategy into action—building programs that increase representation, engagement, and trust across the organization. Under his leadership, NMDP has launched initiatives that enhance belonging scores, expand employee resource group participation, and connect inclusion efforts directly to organizational outcomes.

 

Elias’s approach is shaped by personal experience. Having navigated barriers related to bias and degree-based hiring, he brings a grounded understanding of access, equity, and opportunity. These experiences fuel his commitment to creating fair and transparent pathways for growth, ensuring that talent and potential—not pedigree—determine advancement.

 

Before assuming his current role, Elias served as the founding chair of NMDP’s Belonging & Engagement Council, where he helped lay the groundwork for the organization’s inclusive culture. Today, his work spans education on inclusive leadership, employee stewardship, and embedding belonging into the systems and rhythms of how the organization operates.

 

Outside of work, Elias is a dedicated husband and father who credits his family as his anchor and motivation. A lifelong martial artist and 5th-degree black belt, he draws on the discipline, resilience, and respect learned from martial arts to guide his leadership philosophy—leading with empathy, consistency, and strength.

 

Elias continues to champion belonging as both a personal and professional mission, striving to build workplaces where people are not only included but truly connected—and where every voice has the opportunity to make an impact.

Rich Robles

Rich is the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital. In this role, Rich leads the work that creates a culture where people feel included, engaged, and have a sense of belonging as they provide remarkable care for children and their families.  

 

A dedicated advocate for underrepresented communities, Rich is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has equal access to quality healthcare and professional growth. His work has been recognized for its impact on both the healthcare industry and the community at large.

 

Prior to joining BCH, Rich led D&I work for a health care organization in the southeast, where he was responsible for creating a culture of inclusion for all employees.  Rich’s background also includes both consulting and internal roles in the areas of organizational development, culture transformation, leadership development, and merger integration. He has led work for companies such as Bank of America, McDonald’s, Motorola, PepsiAmericas, Chicago Tribune Company, and Exelon.  

 

Rich received an M.A. degree With Honors in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Roosevelt University and a B.A. degree in Psychology from Huntington University.

 

Rich grew up in Guatemala City where he attended a military school before moving to the U.S.  To honor his heritage, he continues to be active and lead work in the Latino/Hispanic community.  He is currently part of the board of directors for the Latino Equity Fund in Boston and serves as a mentor for ALPFA Boston. He was previously appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to be part of the Advisory Council for Hispanic/Latino Affairs, and he played an active role as a board member for several nonprofit organizations.

 

He resides in the Boston area with his wife and four children, where he takes pleasure in spending time with them, especially if it includes making singing and dancing videos.

Pranika Sinha

Pranika Uppal Sinha oversees organizational development and culture at Greystone. In this role, she is responsible for initiatives relating to culture and community, including education, resources, and programming, across the entire firm to ensure Greystone’s efforts evolve and move forward to build belonging and support our tagline ‘where people matter.’ Greystone’s Culture and Community committee and overall program is award-winning and recognized nationally. As a part of organizational development, Pranika oversees performance management, training, and leadership programs – creating impactful content for employees and leaders at all levels to develop and grow. 

 

Prior to Greystone, Ms. Sinha worked at Oxy, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, and 21st Century Consulting in various talent, development, HR, training, and inclusion-focused areas and roles.

 

Ms. Sinha earned a Bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University and an MBA at Rice University. She is based in Houston, TX.

Lance T. Cagnolatti

Lance T. Cagnolatti

Lance T. Cagnolatti currently serves as an Employee Experience Specialist III at Entergy, where he champions the development of inclusive, empowering workplace ecosystems through strategic workforce initiatives, leadership development, and cultural engagement. In this role, Lance designs programs that ensure every employee feels seen, valued, and equipped to thrive.

 

Before entering the corporate space, Lance built a remarkable 17-year career in the Louisiana National Guard, ultimately serving as Deputy Public Affairs Officer. His military journey included leading communications and crisis management during Hurricane Katrina, an 18-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay, and mobilizations across numerous countries and local national disasters. His ability to build trust, shape narratives, and lead under pressure made him a vital voice during some of our nation’s most challenging times.

 

Outside the uniform, Lance has always been a creative force. From 1998 to 2004, he worked as a professional stuntman and choreographer for film, TV, and commercials, blending performance art with precision execution. That same passion flows into his hobbies: he’s a lifelong poet, comic book enthusiast, avid reader, video gamer, and dancer. In his past time he loves hanging out with his wife and two kids, watching anime, going to new food places, taking trips and playing with his two cats Darryl and Bella.

 

Lance brings all of these threads together in his work today, merging leadership, empathy, creativity, and resilience to create experiences that uplift individuals and communities alike. Whether serving his country, his company, or his local New Orleans culture, Lance lives to catch dreams and blaze new trails.

Gena Pirtle

Gena Pirtle is a visionary thought leader and consultant in workforce and social impact strategy, known for driving measurable business value through inclusive, purpose-driven initiatives. As founder and principal of Gena Pirtle Consulting LLC, she brings nearly 30 years of experience designing transformative programs that strengthen organizational culture, expand talent pipelines, and elevate employee engagement.

 

During her 27-year tenure at Cisco, Gena led groundbreaking initiatives such as the Cisco Networking Academy® Talent Bridge, NetAcad Dream Team, Women Rock IT, and Women of Impact—programs that expanded access to tech careers while embedding DEI into corporate priorities. She also led a global team supporting more than 25 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) across 70 countries, engaging over 28,000 members to spark innovation and strengthen Cisco’s reputation as a top employer.

 

As Cisco’s Head of Veteran and Military Affairs, Gena launched award-winning initiatives like CyberVets USA and the Veteran Talent Incubation Program (VTIP), helping thousands of service members and spouses transition into civilian tech careers. These efforts earned Cisco multiple Military Friendly® Employer accolades and included impactful partnerships such as the Randstad-Cisco Veteran Talent Exchange.

 

A former broadcast news professional, Gena brings strategic storytelling and communication skills to her work. She is a member of the SHRM Foundation’s Military Community Advisory Committee, sits on the ZeroMils Military Thriving Action Coalition (MTAC), and a trusted advisor to both Fortune 500 companies and veteran-serving nonprofits. Gena is deeply committed to creating systems where people and purpose align. Her work continues to shape inclusive, resilient, and high-performing organizations.

Shelton Rankin

Shelton Rankin

Shelton Rankin is a visionary, image consultant, men’s empowerment coach, and strategic HR leader who believes confidence isn’t just something you wear, it’s something you embody. As Founder & CEO of The Blu Sage, he helps Black men bridge the gap between how they see themselves and who they truly are. Through image consulting, coaching, and style education, Shelton empowers his clients to show up authentically, elevate their presence, and embrace their individuality. The Blu Sage is rooted in accessibility, empowerment, and inclusivity, making fashion and confidence attainable for every man of color.

 

Before launching The Blu Sage, Shelton built a career as a Strategic HR Program Leader with Fortune 100 companies, including Bank of America and WPP Media. He led enterprise-wide initiatives, advised C-suite leaders, and delivered people-centered solutions that strengthened engagement, leadership readiness, and operational excellence.

 

Beyond his corporate career, Shelton is committed to community advancement. He has served as Director of Bigger and Better Business for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is a Founding Member and Co-Chief Editor for the Greater North Carolina Black Chambers of Commerce, and has partnered with the Greensboro Swarm on fundraising initiatives.

 

His certificates include, but are not limited to, Google AI Prompting and Essentials, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Gamification, and Agile & Scrum, which reflect his blend of innovation and strategy. Inspired by a childhood of resourcefulness and a love of color, Shelton has transformed his passion for style into a movement that empowers Black men to walk boldly and authentically into every room.

 

Dr. Theresa M. Welbourne

Theresa M. Welbourne, PhD

Dr. Theresa M. Welbourne is the Will and Maggie Brooke Professor in Entrepreneurship and Executive Director, Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute, Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama. Dr. Welbourne’s expertise is in the areas of entrepreneurship, human capital management and strategic leadership in high growth, entrepreneurial and high change organizations. She is the founder, president, and CEO of eePulse, Inc., a human capital technology and consulting firm. Dr. Welbourne’s research and work have been featured in popular publications such as Inc. Magazine, Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Business Week, New York Times, and Entrepreneur Magazine, and she is well published in numerous academic journals and books as well as business books. Dr. Welbourne also runs two large-scale research studies, one focused on high-growth companies and initial public offerings (IPOs), and another that is focused on  employee resource groups (ERGs) and how they drive innovation and firm-level growth. As part of this work, she also studies employee energy and how it can be managed to improve wellness, productivity, growth, and innovation. Theresa was awarded the 2012 Academy of Management Distinguished Executive Award (for contributions in research, teaching and practice), in 2017 she was named a Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Fellow, and in 2022 she made the Business Alabama list of the top 22 Women in Tech. Dr. Welbourne also holds an appointment as an affiliated senior research scientist with the Center for Effective Organizations, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California. Theresa does consulting with organizations that are interested in optimizing human capital to drive innovation and growth. She uses a data-driven approach to help leaders learn how to respond rapidly to changing  circumstances, avoiding dips in productivity and performance. She worked in the technology industry in Colorado for ten years before receiving her PhD at the University of Colorado, and she held faculty appointments at Cornell University, the University of Michigan, University of Nebraska, and the University of Southern California before moving to Alabama.

Alica Forneret

Alica Forneret

Alica Forneret (she/her) is an educator, speaker, and consultant dedicated to creating new spaces for people to explore grief and grieving. She is the Founder and Executive Director of PAUSE, a nonprofit focused on supporting Communities of Color through grief and end of life.

 

Alica consults on product development and systems change to help companies create resources and tools for grieving communities. She facilitates sessions focused on inclusive bereavement responses and how to address grief at work for companies including Google, NASA JPL, Nielsen, and The California Department of Education. And she has partnered on international events and projects with The Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation, Columbia University, and Lululemon. 

 

Alica is currently a guest facilitator with Humane Prison Hospice Project, Claire Bidwell Smith’s “Grief Training Program”, and is an expert Contributor with Help Texts. Alica previously held roles as the Chief Operating Officer of Going with Grace and the Program Lead and Content Strategist for School Crisis Recovery & Renewal’s “Pedagogy of Grief”. She’s a member of Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC), Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC, membership committee), Sage, and The California Black Healthcare Network. She previously sat as an associate board member for Our House and an inaugural member of the BC Women’s Health Foundation Young Women’s Council.


Alica’s writing and work about grief, work, and race have been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Psychology Today, Huffington Post, GQ, and has been translated into Spanish, French, Tagalog, Polish, and Hmong.