Corporate cultures rooted in belonging aim to make every employee, regardless of their background, identity, or perspectives, feel a sense of connection, acceptance, and inclusion within the organization. These corporate cultures cannot exist without leadership committed to navigating challenging conversations and nourishing an environment rooted in respectful discourse among its diverse workforce while constantly seeking opportunities to improve.
The December 5, 2024 Diversity Summit presented by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel - Rising Together: The Corporation’s Role in Building Belonging, will focus on providing legal professionals with tools and knowledge to help them advance belonging culture within their organizations so that all employees can thrive.
Please join an audience of in-house counsel from a wide range of businesses in the Greater Philadelphia Area to participate in meaningful conversations about corporate belonging.
This event will feature four educational sessions presented by our sponsors, one session presented by the summit committee, and a networking cocktail reception following the sessions.
AGENDA
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
"Belonging Journeys: A Conversation About Struggling to Belong and Allyship"
Presented by the ACCGP Diversity Summit Committee
A discussion about how lawyers struggle in the workplace to merge their identities with workplace expectations and personalities. This interactive session will spotlight two attorneys’ challenges to belong in the workplace, the allies that helped them along the way, and what their own struggles have taught them about allyship. A psychologist who specializes in helping corporations enhance belonging culture will discuss her own personal and professional experiences to provide attendees with specific strategies they can take back with them to help create psychologically safe spaces for themselves and their colleagues. The session will conclude with asking attendees to make a belonging pledge, isolating one thing they need to improve their own sense of belonging in the workplace and one thing they can help do for others to enhance belonging culture.
Speakers:
- Nina Blackshear, Senior Counsel, Spark Therapeutics, Inc.
- Yoella Epstein, Counsel, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
- Dr. Tamara V. Johnson
- Iveliz Crespo
10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
"AI and Belonging: Tools for Inclusive Workplace Practices"
Presented by Blank Rome LLP
While AI is transforming how we work, its impact on the sense of belonging in the workplace is less understood. Belonging is central to inclusivity—it’s about a sense of connection, acceptance, and integration within a particular organization. This panel will explore how AI can either foster or hinder a sense of belonging within workplace teams and client relationships. The discussion will highlight actionable ways AI can be leveraged to enhancing belonging by, among other things, fostering meaningful engagement, improving communication, and addressing bias such that individuals from diverse backgrounds are supported, valued, and able to thrive. This panel will explore potential pitfalls (such as depersonalization, isolation, and the proliferation of bias) and how organizations can intentionally design AI systems that prioritize human connection and emotional well-being. Real-world case studies, current data, and best practices will be shared during the discussion.
Speakers:
- Stephanie Gantman Kaplan, Partner, Blank Rome LLP
- Anthony Mingione, Partner, Blank Rome LLP
- Franchesca Fowler, Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Tris Pharma
11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Break
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Lunchtime Exercise
"Belonging at the Table - Strategies for Workplace Inclusion"
1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Break
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Accommodations, the Legal Framework, and How Companies Are Doing Better"
Presented by Fisher Phillips
Our panelists will review the black letter law around accommodations, walking attendees through a framework that identifies the appropriateness of accommodations. Then, the panelists will discuss case studies, highlighting how companies have done more than the law requires and the belonging culture these commitments create.
Speakers:
- Jason Roberts, Of Counsel, Fisher Phillips
- Rick Grimaldi, Partner, Fisher Phillips
- John C. Ungar, Corporate Counsel and Director of Planning, NewCourtland
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
"Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture" Presented by Cozen O'Connor
Fostering a culture of belonging within an organization requires dedication, intentionality, and vision from leadership. In this session, we will explore the challenges and strategies for creating an inclusive organizational culture from the top down.
Speakers:
- Simeon Brier, Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Chair, DEI Strategies & Solutions, Cozen O'Connor
- Leslie Gomez, Vice Chair, Institutional Response Group, Cozen O'Connor
- Miguel Pozo, Member, Cozen O'Connor
- Felicia Washington, Vice President Human Resources, University of Pennsylvania
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"Leveraging the Power of Mentoring to Bridge the Belonging Gap"
Presented by Dechert LLP
The panelists will first test the audience’s familiarity with concepts of mentoring and sponsorship and to determine level of experience in participation in mentorship programs. Objective data will be shared to spotlight the importance of mentorship as fostering including and belonging. A case study will be presented to discuss an internal mentoring program and identify its successful components as well as learning opportunities. A product of the mentoring program will discuss their experience with it. Mentoring programs from corporate counsel will also be shared. The session will conclude with an accountability exercise to help participants commit to behaviors that will advance mentorship initiatives at their own companies.
Speakers:
- Omoz Osayimwese, Partner, Dechert LLP
- Satra Sampson-Arokium, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Dechert LLP
- Pamella J. Raison, Senior Corporate Counsel, Farmers Insurance
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception
