2025 Diversity Summit
"Thrive & Rise: Celebrating Commitment, Inspiring Action"
Despite a challenging political environment and marketplace, some companies continue to elevate initiatives focused on allowing all employees to rise and thrive. This year, we celebrate these successes, spotlighting companies that have retained their commitment to inclusive culture and employee engagement, and the law firms that have helped these corporations execute their commitment. We hope our participants leave the summit inspired by innovative ideas and equipped with strategies they can adapt to fit their organizational cultures and advance an inclusive workplace. We invite you to join our conversation.
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Welcome and Corporate Panel:
Corporate Commitments to Belonging
Hear from panelists about why and how their companies continue to support diversity and inclusion initiatives and lessons they have learned from this commitment.
Speakers:
- Geneva Campbell Brown, Esq., The Cigna Group, Vice President, Corporate Impact and Corporate Secretary, The Cigna Group Foundation
- Christopher Cardarelli, Merck & Co., Inc., Exec. Dir., Diversity & Inclusion
- Tim Hoban, Esq., Toll Brothers, General Counsel
- Moderator: Teleicia J.R. Dambreville, Esq., Burlington Stores, Inc., Director, Managing Counsel – Employment
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 p.m.
"The Opportunity of the Intergenerational Workplace"
Presented by Fisher Phillips
The intergenerational workplace combines institutional knowledge and experience with innovation and creativity. To optimize the opportunity of our multigenerational workforces, we must understand and adapt to generational differences. Join us for an interactive discussion with our panelists to hear how they think about generational differences in the workforce and foster connections across generations to improve their own experiences at work.
Speakers:
- Leanne Coyle, Associate, Fisher Phillips
- Shahrzad Kojouri, General Counsel, The American Smoke Co.
- Esther Odeyemi, Third Year Law Student, Drexel University
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
"Thriving with Resilience in the Face of Reshaping DEI Initiatives and Inspiring New Directions"
Presented by Cozen O'Connor
In light of the challenges 2025 has brought to the diversity, equity, and inclusion landscapes that corporations have built over the last several years, the panel will explore ways corporations can reshape and reframe their DEI initiatives in a way that will allow them to continue to celebrate their commitment to DEI and inspire and activate new directions for workplace belonging. The panel will provide examples of how corporations are changing their DEI initiatives and creating new ways to promote employee belonging. The panel will also address the need for resilience and well-being among DEI practitioners, so they can THRIVE and RISE above the current challenges facing the DEI space. The panel will encourage the audience to share their experiences, tips, and tools to meet the moment.
Speakers:
- Katayun (Kathy) Jaffari, Chair, Corporate Governance; Co-Chair, Capital Markets & Securities; Chair, ESG, Cozen O’Connor
- Bobbi Britton Tucker, Member, Cozen O’Connor
- Ada Okafor, General Counsel, American Board of Surgery
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Luncheon & Round Table Exercise
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
"Inclusive Strategies for Your Outside Counsel Partnerships"
Presented by Holland & Knight LLP
This program will explore how to build inclusive partnerships between your in-house and outside counsel teams from the earliest stage of deciding to seek and retain a law firm. Panelists will discuss strategies, ideas and best practices for evaluating and engaging outside counsel and how to form integrated teams at all levels and from all backgrounds… all with the goal of fostering a sense of inclusivity and belonging as a key value and commitment for the relationship.
Speakers:
- Melissa Wong, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP
- Nneoma Maduike, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP
- Raquel Thompson, Chief Compliance Officer, Christofferson Robb & Company LLC
- Joel Trotter, Sr. Director and Associate General Counsel, Genentech Inc.
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
"Revisiting DEIB Compliance"
Presented by Blank Rome LLP
A summary of recent, significant changes in the federal legal DEIB landscape, along with practical guidance for companies to sustain meaningful programs that remain compliant with both federal and state laws moving forward.
Speakers:
- Dominique Casimir, Partner, Blank Rome LLP
- Julia Riskowitz, Associate, Blank Rome LLP
- Ethan Simon, Director - Counsel, Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Cocktail Reception & Music from Musicopia
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