Professional Development for Women and Minorities

2016 HBCU Dean's Roundtable (BEYA)

Dean's Roundtable from the 2016 BEYA STEM awards conference.

2015 WOC Executive Roundtable

The 2015 Women of Color in Technology Executive Roundtable Session

Our business community must confront the challenges of the shortage of women in STEM leadership positions in today’s workplace, and the entrance of vast numbers of millennial talent who will reshape the workforce, and the rules of the workplace. The next generation of female leaders will contribute to, be heard, and influence the dialog driving these changes. They will have particular impact on conversations addressing gender related workplace challenges and solutions.

We must address the gender gap, and the overall lack of diversity in senior leadership. How we do so must be an important component of our national and global talent strategies, and work in conjunction with systemic change efforts effecting our workforce. But to get this right, first, organizations must better understand how to attract, develop, and retain female and other diverse talent from the millennial generation.

We hope that our 2015 Women of Color in Technology Executive Roundtable is a livewire symposium. Our interchange will examine the 21st Century challenges of women in today’s technology driven workplace and why it is seen as a man’s world. Moderated by Ted Childs, Diversity Workforce Catalyst for change,
attendees will hear from women executives who have s competed in high intensity, competitive, technology driven workplaces. We do not want a discussion about what women have not done, or cannot do. We have assembled a panel of accomplished executive women to discuss their career journeys, and observations about strategies to succeed in today’s complex, challenging workplace.

After the seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Engage in a candid dialogue about the challenges women face in today’s workplace, including at the executive level.
2. Explore factors that limit women from breaking the glass ceiling.
3. Identify best practices in diversity workforce change.
4. Discuss ways to overcome challenges and stereotypes.

Moderator: Ted Childs, Strategic Diversity Advisor, Ted Childs LLC

Women of Color All-Stars: Game Changing Leadership Skills, Life Lessons, and Mistakes

Women of Color All-Stars: Game Changing Leadership Skills, Life Lessons, and Mistakes

Most of us have been to countless leadership seminars. Some of us skim through several leadership books and pick up on tidbits of leadership strategies and knowledge from speeches at conferences like these. So the question is, of all of the leadership advice, what actually works? What are the top key strategies that we need to embrace to make the difference in the way we manage ourselves, people, and competing values? Top women of color leaders in STEM join together to share their successes, roadblocks, and lessons learned. This workshop will help you learn from the greats and understand your true role as a leader.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Explore personal stories and lessons from past WOC winners. b. Examine CEO’s top ranked leadership strategies.
2. Explore 7 transformational leadership techniques.
3. List ineffective leadership habits and mistakes to avoid.

Panelists: Linda Taliaferro, Vice President, Global Quality, Meritor, Inc. Monica Emerson, Principal, Inclusive Performance Solutions

Moderator: Jasmine Dolfus, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, Justice Via Dharma LLC

Culture and Power! Perceptions, Cross-Cultural Communications, and Other Cultural Factors that Impact Women and Success

Culture and Power!
Perceptions, Cross-Cultural Communications, and Other Cultural Factors that Impact Women and Success

The perception of power is a cultural phenomenon. Different cultures accept the dynamic of power in very different ways. Some accept unequally distributed power as a natural part of the professional world, where other cultures engage and view that power is equal among contributors. This cultural concept is known as power distance. When in a “high power distance” culture, the relationship between bosses and subordinates is one of dependence. When in a “low power distance” society, the relationship between bosses and subordinates is one of interdependence. Knowledge of how you and your team perceive power and accept structure will impact the ease of communication and affect leadership style choices. Culture is a powerful dynamic that helps us understand and be more specific about relationship conflicts and triumphs.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Leaders share cultural challenges and solutions.
2. Identify core issues and strategies to manage communication styles and differences.
3. Explore potential impact of language on perceived confidence and value.
4. Examine leadership styles and principles to accommodate power distance cultural factors.

Panelists:

Jodi Turner, Associate Director, UNC Charlotte;
Zohra Hemani, IT Program Manager, Northrop Grumman Corporation

Moderator: Jasmine Dolfus, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Justice Via Dharma LLC


Diversity and Inclusion: Looking Forward, What More Do We Need to Do?

In Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, her point comes through clearly. Her point is that notwithstanding the many gender biases that still take place in the workplace, excuses and justifications won’t get women anywhere. Instead, believe in yourself, give it your all, “lean in,” and “don’t leave before you leave”―which is to say, don’t doubt your ability to combine work and family. Leaning in can help you juggle work and family, step forward, and succeed professionally. This puts you in a better position to ask for what you want and make changes that can benefit others.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Explore ways that race and gender impact achievement.
2. Discuss necessary changes that can benefit professional women in the workplace. c. Examine behaviors and cultural practices that create diversity challenges.

Panelists:

Jessica Gomez, Engineering Manager, Huntington Ingalls Industries; LaQuita Hall, VP, Global Managed Services Operations, AT&T;

Cathy Hendrian, Vice President, Human Resources, Consumers Energy

Moderator: Jasmine Dolfus, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Justice Via Dharma LLC

Interview Skills That Get You Hired

Do you know the benefits of establishing a positive and professional self-representation during an interview? Promotions depend on preparation and practice, but knowing what to prepare and how to practice is essential. Mastering the Interview Training Materials holds the knowledge of the qualities that employers desire. Expanding your expectations of the questions that will be asked during an interview can give you an incredible advantage over other applicants for the position. Even more, being able to demonstrate your unique skills through a well-articulated answer to interview questions will put you in the lead. Taking the initiative to prepare for an interview can create new opportunities for career development in your industry.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to answer the following questions:

1. What are the common interview questions, and how do you prepare your answers?
2. What information do I need to know for every interview?
3. How do I answer difficult questions?
4. What are good questions to ask your interviewer?
5. How do I answer the question “So tell me about yourself”?
6. What do I do after the interview?

Presenter: Talia Fox, CEO, KUSI Visions

Sonya Sephaban - 2012 Women of Color Technologist of the Year

Sonya Sepahban, 2012 Women of Color Technologist of the Year, was Thursday's guest on the Women of Color Webinar series hosted by Tyrone Taborn, founder of the Women of Color STEM Conference and publisher of Women of Color magazine.

The Future Started Yesterday: The Top Ten Computer and IT Trends

The Future Started Yesterday: The Top Ten Computer and IT Trends

This seminar looks at the forefront of technology trends in the community for technology leaders. As a technology professional, staying on top of trends is crucial. Below is a list of technology topics that this seminar will cover.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Discuss the upcoming trends of information technology

1. Emergence of the Mobile Cloud – Mobile distributed computing paradigm will lead to explosion of new services.
2. From Internet of Things to Web of Things – Need connectivity, internetworking to link physical and digital.
3. From Big Data to Extreme Data – Simpler analytics tools needed to leverage the data deluge.
4. The Revolution Will Be 3D – New tools; techniques bring 3D printing power to masses.
5. Supporting New Learning Styles – Online courses demand seamless, ubiquitous approach.
6. Next-generation Mobile Networks – Mobile infrastructure must catch up with user needs.
7. Balancing Identity and Privacy – Growing risks and concerns about social networks.
8. Smart and Connected Healthcare – Intelligent systems, assistive devices will improve health.
9. E-Government – Interoperability a big challenge to delivering information.
10. Scientific Cloud Computing – Key to solving grand challenges, pursuing breakthroughs

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Explore the multiple uses of the internet
2. Identify ways that technology can make our society more productive
3. Examine what we give up when we advance technologically

MODERATOR: Theodore Colbert, Vice President, The Boeing Company

PANELISTS:

Renata Spinks, Lead IT Project Manager, Dept of the Treasury

Gerard Thomas, Senior Systems Lead, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Self-Promoting Strategies w/ Latasha Dandy

Join us as Lockheed Martin's Latasha Dandy, System Engineer Senior, gives us her strategies on how to self-promote and build your own brand in the workplace.

Taking Control of your Career

#STEMISAGIRLTHING webinar presenter Imani Carter hosted Rupali Lunani, Thursday, September 24. Lunani, a manager at General Dynamics, treated the audience to her insights and expertise on taking responsibility for one's career in the automotive industry.