2025 MOXIECON & AWARDS

Nadine O. Vogel is the CEO of Springboard Global Enterprises which is home to Springboard Consulting, Disability Mama, The WIP Group and The Springboard Foundation which is an affiliated charity. Springboard Consulting works with corporations around the world to mainstream people with disabilities in the global workforce, workplace, and marketplace. It is also the producer of the world-renowned Disability Matters Conference & Awards Gala. Disability Mama empowers, celebrates, and educates moms and dads around the world who are parents of children with special needs. The WIP Group, Women, Influence & Power., works with corporations globally on the development and impact of women’s influence, power, leadership and advancement. The Springboard Foundation, a 501 ©3 provides scholarships to college students with disabilities.

Nadine O. Vogel is the CEO of Springboard Global Enterprises which is home to Springboard Consulting, Disability Mama, The WIP Group and The Springboard Foundation which is an affiliated charity. Springboard Consulting works with corporations around the world to mainstream people with disabilities in the global workforce, workplace, and marketplace. It is also the producer of the world-renowned Disability Matters Conference & Awards Gala. Disability Mama empowers, celebrates, and educates moms and dads around the world who are parents of children with special needs. The WIP Group, Women, Influence & Power., works with corporations globally on the development and impact of women’s influence, power, leadership and advancement. The Springboard Foundation, a 501 ©3 provides scholarships to college students with disabilities.

Vogel is the author of “DIVE IN, Springboard into the Profitability, Productivity and Potential of the Special Needs Workforce,” a highly acclaimed must-read business book. She is a regular contributor to many professional, industry and consumer publications. Nadine is also a member of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In 2019, she became the subject of published cases for both the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School where she also serves as a guest lecturer. She has also joined forces with the Universita Europea di Roma in Italy, to develop and deliver executive curriculum on Disability. Nadine is also recognized as a powerful informational, motivational, and inspirational speaker, delivering keynote presentations around the world. Nadine currently serves Host of three ground-breaking television programs: Inclusion at Work on Bloomberg TV and The Nosh and Talk & Tea with G & Me on RVN TV which also airs on Roku and Apple TV.

Recognized for her civic and professional activities and global thought leadership, Vogel has received numerous awards and accolades from around the globe. Vogel received an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA and a BS in Industrial Psychology from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. She is the mother of two adult daughters with disabilities and resides in South Florida with her husband.

Michael Perry, AIA, LEED AP, is a licensed architect in 20 states, principal of Progressive AE, and leads their universal design consulting practice. Mike serves on the Board of Directors of the Global Universal Design Commission, and he frequently writes and presents on the topic of Universal Design in the built environment. He has led Universal Design discussions at universities including Notre Dame, The University of Michigan, and Syracuse University and presented at international conferences including the San Antonio Inclusion Summit, SRAPPA, New York CoreNet, CoreNet Global, Bloomberg Leadership Summit, Disability IN Chicago, and the Zero Project in Vienna, Austria. He is helping companies such as Merck, Oracle, Amazon, DHL, Pfizer, Nielsen, Nationwide Insurance, CUNA Mutual Group, and Siemens Energy, live their values by creating truly inclusive environments across their global footprint. He also co-authored a research paper that is published in the Disability and Health Journal titled “Participation by Design - Integrating a social ecological approach with universal design,” and also authored a chapter for the National Inclusion Project Standards specifically applying universal design thinking to facilities and equipment. In 2018, Mike led the effort creating a proprietary set of Universal Design assessment tools and strategies receiving registration from the US Copyright office.

As an award-winning marketer, Desi Okeke has a track record of building top global brands, perfecting the ability to inspire while creating a culture of integrity, transparency and professionalism. She is a visionary who creates bold strategies that drive sustainable growth and in her +16 years of experience in diverse industries she has made an indelible mark on the Marketing profession. At Unilever, she is tasked to build and expand connectivity to current and new Degree® consumers. Reinforcing and reinventing a brand of distinction through meaningfully personal content, expressions and products that inspire, shape culture and emotionally connect. Desi’s core Marketing philosophy is that as brand builders our purpose is to be in relentless pursuit to delight the people and communities we serve.

Andres Gonzalez has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years. He has been instrumental in creating culturally and linguistically competent programs. He serves as the Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin located in Milwaukee, WI. He provides direction to the Office of Diversity & Inclusion where he leads Diversity & Inclusion strategic initiatives that include: Community Engagement, Diversity Action Teams (DATs), Diversity & Cultural Competence Education, Emerging Markets Initiative, Health Equity, Inclusion Advocates, Language Services, Leadership Development, Supplier Diversity and Talent Acquisition.

Mr. Gonzalez serves on the national boards of the following organizations: American Heart/Stroke Association’s Diversity Leadership Committee and Health Equity Taskforce, American Leadership Council for Diversity in Healthcare (ALCDH), The Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, and a member of the National Association for Latino Healthcare Executives (NALHE). He also serves on the following local boards: Employ Milwaukee-the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB), La Causa, Inc., Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Nativity Jesuit Academy, Sixteenth Street and Waukesha County Land Conservancy.

Mr. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Cleveland State University and a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration on Community Agency Counseling from Cleveland State University. He also completed the certification program at Cornell University’s Industrial and Labor Relations Department and earned a Cornell Certified Diversity Practitioner/Advanced Practitioner (CCDP/AP) certification. Mr. Gonzalez is a member of the Faculty at Elevate, a Partnership with UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management, UC Riverside, Cal State Fullerton and the UC Office of the President-MESA.

Stephanie Kacoyanis is a Senior Thought Leadership Marketing Manager at Guardian. In this role, she manages Guardian’s thought leadership strategy, overseeing its proprietary research, data-based reports, and thought leadership content development. She also launched, runs, and frequently moderates Guardian’s national webinars, a weekly series geared toward employers and benefits brokers on a variety of topics related to employee benefits, well-being, financial wellness, future of work, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Previously, she worked in public relations with clients from several industries, including in HR/benefits, healthcare, and B2B tech. She began her communications career at Harvard University, holding several communications and media relations roles there. A graduate of Wellesley College, Ms. Kacoyanis lives in the Boston area and serves on the executive committee for The Hellenic Initiative’s New Leaders group and is a founding member of their Connect the Dots entrepreneurial mentorship program. In addition to her thought leadership career, Stephanie is also a freelance classical singer.

Valoria Armstrong joined Unum in January 2023 as the chief global inclusion & diversity officer. In her role, she leads the company’s I&D strategy to ensure the organization fosters an equitable culture, inclusivity and a representative workplace.

Prior to joining Unum, Armstrong served as the chief inclusion officer and vice president, external affairs, for American Water, the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. In this position, she strengthened the company’s inclusion, diversity and equity strategy.

Armstrong has also served as president of Tennessee American Water, where she was responsible for operations, financial performances, safety and employee engagement, field customer service and environmental excellence.

Armstrong earned her master’s degree in human resource development from Villanova University and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University.

Armstrong is an active member of her community. She was the first woman, and youngest president, elected to lead the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She is an alum of Leadership Tennessee, and currently serves as chair of the Hamilton County Partnership Advisory Board, and a board trustee of the Tennessee Aquarium and Benwood Foundation. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Pamela McElvane, MBA, MA, MCPC, is the CEO and founder of P&L Group, Ltd which has 3 key brands: Diversity MBA Media, DMBA Benchmarking & Diversity Learning Solutions, headquartered in Chicago, IL. Ms. McElvane has spent more than 25 years working with large and midsize companies providing insights and best practices, leadership and executive coaching, strategy, and organizational management. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur she led property and casualty insurance companies. “She believes people are the greatest asset to all organizations across the world so being treated with respect is a right.”

Diversity MBAs key brands positions companies to recognize top talent, celebrate diversity leadership, and support thought leaders. DiversityMBA Media publishes 3 magazines and distributes to 1.55 million subscribers print and digital. Inclusive Leadership Index has surveyed more than 1550 unique companies across industries; with more than 35,000 insights on meta data; and recognized more than 900 companies for the Best Places for Women and Diverse Managers to Work, 128 companies in the 2021 augural issue of Diversity Benchmarking Index. Diversity MBAs Top 100 also recognized 1600 leaders with advanced degrees for outstanding leadership and service. Diversity Learning Solution has trained more than 30,000 professionals within the past decade. And Diversity MBA partners and supports more than 30 professional associations and minority businesses.

As of January 2021, Ms. McElvane hosts weekly talk show: The Inclusive Voice on 820AM WCLT and has exceeded her 100th show. She serves as an expert panelist for Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Center, media expert, published in numerous publications, received many honors for her work. She is also certified master coach providing board development and executive legacy coaching. She holds MBA in finance and international marketing; MS in public policy from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business; and Advanced Executive Leadership certification from Dartmouth School of Business. Ms. McElvane has served on more than 40 boards across industries.

Ms. McElvane published in December 2021, SkiNy on Diversity Recruiting: Best Practice Trends & Strategies on Recruiting Guide. Book is available on AMAZON and at pamelaamcelvane.com. The second book will be published August 2023; SkiNy on Inclusion: Best Practice Trends & Strategies on Workplace Inclusion & Retention.

Ms. McElvane has been recognized in 2023 as the Top 50 Women we Admire of Illinois by Women We Admire Magazine; and 2023 Top 10 Most Influential Women by Era Magazine.

Jennifer Frasier is a seasoned HR professional with 25 years of experience within the technology, hospitality, healthcare, waste management and professional services industries.

Over the course of her career, Jennifer has held a number of HR generalist and Inclusion & Diversity specialist roles of progressive global responsibility. She currently serves as the first leader of Inclusion & Diversity for FIS, the world's largest provider dedicated to financial technology solutions. In her role, she is responsible for developing and leading the company’s strategy to leverage inclusion and diversity as a change agent to respond to ever-evolving and complex global dynamics and to drive positive bottom-line impact. Prior to FIS, she worked in I&D roles at Marsh & McLennan Companies and Mercer.

Jennifer has a M.S. in Industrial and Organization Psychology from University of Tennessee.

Jennifer currently resides in Atlanta, GA, with her son, Jackson, and her pet Corgi, Ella. Jennifer is an avid traveler (when not in pandemic) as part of her own diversity awareness journey as well as an embarrassingly over-enthusiastic soccer (football) mom.

Andrew is an Analytics Director on the Consumer Data & Engagement Platforms team in Consumer & Small Business Banking. His Cross Channel Analytics team leads analytics seeking to optimize the efficiency of Wells Fargo’s service model.

Andrew joined Wells Fargo in 2013, leading Customer Analytics in Consumer Credit Solutions Marketing.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Andrew worked at JPMorgan Chase for seven years. There he held many leadership roles in Consumer Bank Marketing, including Head of Mass Media & Cross-sell and Head of Campaign Analytics. Before entering financial services, Andrew was an Assistant Professor at the University of New Orleans, leading research and teaching classes in public opinion and statistics.

Andrew obtained a B.A. in Political Science at Wright State University. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Ohio State University.

Outside and inside of work Andrew has been an advocate for people with disabilities for over fifteen years. He is currently the Enterprise President of the Disability Connection Employee Resource Network, having previously served as the Vice President and Membership & Chapter Development Chair. Andrew was born hard of hearing, for which he has worn hearing aids since he was seven years old.

When he is not at work, you will likely find Andrew on a sailboat. He races in the J-105 and Express 37 fleets in the San Francisco Bay.

Andrew and his wife, Sarah, live in San Francisco, CA with an extremely spoiled cat, Axel.

Andrew McCartney is Senior Vice President and Academy Executive for Bank of America leading Corporate Support Functions. Andrew leads a large team who deliver world-class programs and training for 9 business areas with over within the bank including: Chief Administrative Officer Group, Corporate Audit & Credit Review, Chief Financial Officer Group, Consumer and Small Business Products, Data, Digital & Global Marketing, Global Human Resources, Global Risk Management, Global Strategy & Enterprise Platforms, and Legal.

In addition to his Academy responsibilities, for Bank of America, Andrew also leads Enterprise Disability Diversity and Inclusion, serves on the Disability Advisory Executive Council and is a Co-Executive Sponsor for the Disability Action Network (DAN) which has nearly 20,000 members in 30 chapters globally.

Andrew joined Bank of America in August 2004 as part of the Human Resources team supporting Quality and Productivity, Global Risk and Global Technology. Through this role, Andrew continued to expand his responsibilities and was named the Staffing Executive for Global Technology and Operations in 2007. In 2008, Andrew and his family relocated to Calabasas, CA where he led the recruiting function for the combined mortgage and insurance business resulting from the Countrywide Financial acquisition. Andrew relocated back to Charlotte, NC in 2012 and held various HR recruiting and project leadership assignments supporting Retail Preferred and Small Business, Global Wealth and Investment Management and Global Technology and Operations until he moved into leading U.S. Life Event Services in November 2016. In this role, Andrew led the Medical Accommodations Support, Survivor Support, Terminal Illness Support, Retirement Support and the Transgender & Gender Identity Support teams. From 2019 to 2022, Andrew served as the Talent Acquisition Executive for Corporate Staff Support, Global Technology and Global Operations organizations.

Prior to 2004, Andrew held various HR leadership assignments with the First Data Corporation in Denver, CO and Gateway Inc. in San Diego, CA, Irvine, CA and North Sioux City, SD.

Andrew holds a BA in Economics and Business from Westmont College and resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Jenn and three children (Ben, Jonathan and Anna).

Katie is a South Carolina native who moved to Colorado in 2007 "for a year or two" and never looked back. She lives with her husband Tim and two dogs Eloise and Benny in the heart of Denver. Katie is a Senior Manager at Bain & Co, where she co-leads the Denver chapters of Womxn @ Bain and Diverse Abilities at Bain, and serves on the board of The Bug Performance and Media Art Center, an inclusive performance space with a mission to make the arts accessible to artists and audiences. She is a proud graduate of the College of Charleston (BA ‘07) and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth (MBA ’19).

I am from Charleston, South Carolina, where I currently reside. I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2020, and I now attend Webster University, where I am studying clinical counseling. Aside from being a full-time graduate student, I also work at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health as a mobile crisis clinician. When I am not working, or in school, I love advocating for individuals with disabilities like myself. I was born with arthrogryposis which has affected my muscle and joint development. Supporting individuals with disabilities is a passion of mine, and I look forward to working with this population in the future.

Alex Jackson is a native of Charleston. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies Communication from the College of Charleston and has obtained a Master of Arts degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication also from the College of Charleston.

Alex is a Public Affairs Specialist at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic in Charleston, SC, and is the writer of his own disability blog called Tuesday Talk With Alex where he shares his personal experiences of living with a spinal cord injury.

Alex is skilled in radio and television broadcasting, photography and videography. With his love for media, Alex enjoys promoting disability awareness and advocacy through a variety of platforms.

He serves as on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association, the Disability Board of Charleston County, the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation and the City of Charleston Mayor’s Commission for Disability Issues.

Alex’s motto is that he is living with a disability and a purpose! And he wants to show that anything is possible when living with a disability.

Victoria (Hamilton) Drohan is the Access Specialist in the Center for Disability Services at College of Charleston. She graduated from College of Charleston in 2014 with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and from Boston College in 2019 with her Master of Social Work. Victoria has dedicated her career to working with children, youth, and college students in schools, hospitals, and higher education settings, particularly those with disabilities. Prior to her current position, she worked with AccessAbility as a transition specialist. Currently, she is on the SCAHEAD board as the co-programming chair. Other community highlights include giving a TEDx talk in 2017 titled “ How to Interact with Disabled People," being part of the Link20 movement, and also being invited to the Link20 National Leadership Conference in Baltimore in 2019. She also helped create the Disabilities Inclusion Program (D.I.P.) in the Office of Workforce Development at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Paul H. Schwager, Ph.D. has served as dean of the College of Charleston School of Business since July 2022. A proven leader, educator and researcher, Schwager possesses the skills and experience necessary to build upon the school’s legacy of excellence and to prepare it for the opportunities of the 21st century.

In his most recent role as dean and W. Howard Rooks Distinguished Professor in the College of Business at East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, N.C., Schwager established the Copeland Diversity & Inclusion Fellows, the Cunanan Center for Professional Success and the Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business. He also reorganized the school’s leadership structure to align with strategic priorities, led a successful AACSB peer review and reorganized the Business Advisory Council, with a focus on increasing diversity. In addition, Schwager has a proven track record as a successful fundraiser and donor steward. Prior to his appointment as dean in 2019, he served as the school’s interim dean, associate dean and acting associate dean.

Also at ECU, Schwager served as assistant dean and interim assistant dean for Assessment, Accreditation and Curriculum, and as professor, associate professor, assistant professor and visiting assistant professor of management information systems in the College of Business. Throughout his tenure at ECU, Schwager has leveraged his research focusing on the strategic use of information technology, including the creation and enhancement of organizational capabilities as they pertain to strategic planning, resource alignment, e-commerce, internet-mediated relationships and branding.

Prior to joining ECU, Schwager was an assistant professor of information systems at Appalachian State University’s John A. Walker College of Business from 2000 to 2003. Before entering academia, he worked in the private and non-profit sectors.

Schwager holds a doctorate in management of information technology and innovation from Auburn University, an M.B.A. from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in business administration from Palm Beach Atlantic College. He is an expert at leveraging technology to create and enhance organizational capabilities.

Anthony Pacilio is Vice President of CAI Neurodiverse Solutions. He is recognized domestically and internationally as an expert in neurodiverse employment. Pacilio specializes in advancing neurodiversity programs and leads the global expansion efforts of Neurodiverse Solutions at CAI. Previously, he was Vice President and Global Head of Autism at Work for JPMorgan Chase & Co. As an author, speaker, and lecturer, Pacilio has been speaking on the topic since 2015. He has given over 100 presentations at conferences, universities, non-academic organizations, and student groups around the world. DisabilityIN, Asperger/Autism Spectrum Education Network (ASPEN), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Diversity Research Inclusion Conference, India Autism At Work Summit, and the Association of Corporate Counsel are key organizations that have featured Pacilio as a speaker and leading expert in neurodiversity. Pacilio is one of the authors of the Autism at Work Playbook, a leading guide for neurodiverse employment practices, written in partnership with Microsoft, SAP, EY, JPMorgan Chase and Washington University’s Information School. Pacilio lectures annually on the future of neurodiversity in the workplace at Cornell University’s School of International Labor Relations and previously lectured at Stanford University School of Medicine’s Neurodiversity Project. In his free time, Pacilio is a passionate advocate for autism initiatives and is committed to developing diverse and inclusive workforces for all organizations. A graduate of the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh, and holds a B.S. in mass media and communications.

Mark DiPietro is Vice President for Marketing & Communications at Landmark College, the first college for students with learning disabilities and attention challenges. In this role, he oversees neurodivergent student interns. Prior to joining the college in 2013, DiPietro had been an editor, a newspaper reporter, and a public relations consultant. At Landmark College, DiPietro has been responsible for international brand-building efforts across digital and traditional media outlets. He has organized media appearances, speaking engagements, and panel presentations for Landmark College faculty and staff on topics related to learning disabilities, neurodivergence, Universal Design, and many others. He has presented on topics related to marketing and enrollment, including at the National Association of College Admissions Counselors’ national conference. He has also been a guest on the Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities! podcast and the Heinemann Blog podcast for educators. Mark has also served on the steering committee of the Landmark College Center for Neurodiversity. He was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of America. Mark earned a B.A. in journalism from Northeastern University and is currently enrolled in Landmark College’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity.

Marlee Bickford-Bushey is a Career Advisor at Landmark College, where she assists neurodivergent college students in obtaining internships and professional skills for navigating the career world and workplace environment. She is also on the autism spectrum. Miss Bickford-Bushey holds both a bachelor’s degree in global studies and a master’s of science in student affairs & higher education. Her background in higher education is in the areas of global education, student accessibility services, and TRIO.

I am a results-driven Recruiting and Human Capital professional dedicated to building supremely successful and effective teams while fostering and perpetuating a strong corporate culture, employee engagement, and camaraderie. From first contact in sourcing through on-boarding, orientation, and employment; I stay in touch with our employees to support them in areas of training, employee relations, and team building. My goal is to build a world-class team that enjoys their work and co-workers, day-in and day-out, and that works collaboratively to deliver top-notch solutions. I believe in organically building culture through passion and innovation and encouraging employees to contribute not only to their projects, but to the overall success and growth of the company.

Jan Coplan, M.Ed. has more than 27 years’ experience in the field of education and has been a career counselor for the past 11 years. She is currently the Director of Career Connections at Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, an institution exclusively for students who learn differently, including students with learning disabilities (such as dyslexia), ADHD, or autism. Jan is passionately committed to creating greater awareness of the advantages individuals with learning differences bring to the workplace. During her six years at Landmark College, she has worked fervently to increase the number of professional work experiences for neurodiverse individuals both locally and nationwide, including placements at Hasbro, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, SAP, EY, Prudential, Tuft Point 32 Health, and Dell Technologies. Jan is a member of the Executive Steering Committee for the College’s Center for Neurodiversity and serves as Chair of its Partnership Building Committee. She recently joined the Advisory Board for CAI Neurodiverse Solutions. Jan played an instrumental role in Landmark College becoming the first Neurodiversity Hub (a collaborative to create employment opportunities for neurodivergent students) in the United States and was appointed as an advisor to the Hub in Fall 2018. Professional affiliations include National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE); Cooperative Education and Internship Association; National Career Development Association; Neurodiversity Hub; Disability IN; and College Autism Network.I am a results-driven Recruiting and Human Capital professional dedicated to building supremely successful and effective teams while fostering and perpetuating a strong corporate culture, employee engagement, and camaraderie. From first contact in sourcing through on-boarding, orientation, and employment; I stay in touch with our employees to support them in areas of training, employee relations, and team building. My goal is to build a world-class team that enjoys their work and co-workers, day-in and day-out, and that works collaboratively to deliver top-notch solutions. I believe in organically building culture through passion and innovation and encouraging employees to contribute not only to their projects, but to the overall success and growth of the company.

J. Mark Sampson is Senior Counsel, Employment for RTI International, a non-profit research institute with a global presence that is dedicated to improving the human condition. Mark regularly advises RTI’s Human Resources organization and other groups across RTI on a variety of employment matters, including leaves and accommodations, wage and hour issues, compensation and benefits, workplace investigations, affirmative action, and employee separations. Mark began his legal career as a law clerk for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Prior to joining RTI, he worked for two different law firms, first at a labor and employment boutique law firm and then at a large general practice law firm, where he was in the firm’s labor and employment practice group.

Mark is a graduate of Wake Forest University, where he received his JD and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Duke University.

Kate Barry is a principal in both the Long Island, New York and the Raleigh, North Carolina, offices of Jackson Lewis P.C. She advises clients on compliance with various state and federal laws affecting the workplace, including Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and New York State and City laws. Kate also assists federal contractors in the preparation of affirmative action plans and defends contractors against allegations of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status in connection with audits by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and in related litigation brought on the OFCCP’s behalf by the solicitor’s office at the U.S. Department of Labor. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, she was a legal fellow at Stony Brook University’s Office of general counsel. While attending law school, Kate was executive editor of the Duke Journal of Gender Law and Policy.

Matthew Camardella is a principal in the Long Island, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He is the co-leader of the Affirmative Action, OFCCP and Government Contract Compliance practice group.

Matt directs the preparation of thousands of AAPs each year and has defended hundreds of OFCCP audits for a broad range of employers across the country.

He also serves as the practice group lead on responding to OFCCP allegations of classbased discrimination and has litigated against the Agency before the Office of Administrative Law Judges. He regularly counsels clients about the design and implementation of company-wide AAP structures, applicant flow tracking systems, and other complex “real world” compliance issues.

Matt spends significant time advising clients on their compensation practices and directing pay equity analyses. He frequently counsels clients on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and the use of data analytics to support such programs. In addition, Matt assists employers with analyzing reductions-in-force for adverse impact and assessing the applicability of federal affirmative action laws in the contexts of mergers and acquisitions.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as the unexpected twin brother of actor Christopher “Ashton” Kutcher, Michael met his first of many challenges at delivery. Entering the world notably smaller than his twin at less than five pounds, Michael was hardly responsive and struggled to take his first breath.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 in Thanks to both outstanding medical care and his indomitable instinct to survive, Michael pulled through his first days and weeks, although not without lasting adverse effects. By age three, Michael was battling significant developmental delays, caused by irreversible neurological pathologies. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before he entered Kindergarten.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 in Throughout his childhood, Michael’s innate desire to thrive helped him overcome issues with eyesight, speech, and motor skill development. Michael grew up in a loving and supportive family that taught him the value of the health he did have and to make the best of his circumstances. Unfortunately, Michael’s uphill battle was only getting started.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 in Diagnosed with heart failure at age 13, Michael was once again faced with an unthinkable challenge of survival. After being given a life expectancy of just three to four weeks, Michael again defeated the odds and successfully received a life saving heart transplant.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 in It was this second close brush with death that opened Michael’s eyes to the fragility of life and inspired him to take control of the future he once thought he wouldn’t have. Michael graduated from Clear Creek Amana High School in 1996 and later continued his education earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Finance from Mount Mercy University.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 inHis medical triumphs and perspective on Cerebral Palsy have led him to work directly with Reaching for the Stars, A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy as an advocate and public speaker. His determination and passion have even brought him as far as Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., where Michael has worked to raise awareness for local and national fund raising initiatives. Michael has also brought his profound story and message to the Center for Disease Control as well as the National Institute of Health.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 in When he’s not advocating for Cerebral Palsy awareness or inspiring audiences around the nation, Michael resides in Denver, Colorado, where he’s built a successful career as an Assistant Vice President for Transamerica Retirement Solutions. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and playing golf.

From the moment of birth, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born on February 7th, 1978 in Michael’s message is one of inspiration, hope and appreciation. Having overcome unthinkable challenges against extraordinary odds, Michael is living proof that perseverance and unwavering positivity can surmount even the most seemingly impossible of obstacles. Matthew Camardella is a principal in the Long Island, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He is the co-leader of the Affirmative Action, OFCCP and Government Contract Compliance practice group.

Dr. Robin Tutor Marcom is Director of the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute. The Institute is an inter-institutional partnership among East Carolina, NC State and NC A&T State Universities. Its mission is to promote the health and safety of farmers, fishermen, foresters, their workers and their families through research, prevention/intervention and education/outreach. Robin has a unique educational and professional background with degrees in Occupational Therapy, Public Health and Agriculture & Extension Education. Before coming to the Institute, she worked for over 20 years as an Occupational Therapist with children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities followed by six years as Health & Disability Services Coordinator for East Coast Migrant Head Start – NC Direct Services. She currently serves as a Board member for the Veterans Farm of North Carolina and is a collaborative partner in the NC AgrAbility Partnership. A member of an active farm family, Robin considers it a privilege to combine her personal and professional passions to serve agriculture’s most important asset – its people!

Caroline Croft Estay: An expert in behavioral health and workforce management, Caroline crafted and implemented Vertical Harvest’s innovative “Grow Well” employee model. Her role as a unique “grower of people” is to develop new approaches and modalities for fun, individualized and meaningful employment based on employee feedback. She is passionate about providing underserved communities and differently-abled individuals with the education, support and development to thrive at work.

Caroline Croft Estay: An expert in behavioral health and workforce management, Caroline crafted and implemented Vertical Harvest’s innovative “Grow Well” employee model. Her role as a unique “grower of people” is to develop new approaches and modalities for fun, individualized and meaningful employment based on employee feedback. She is passionate about providing underserved communities and differently-abled individuals with the education, support and development to thrive at work.

Kara Rutter is the President of Project Victory Gardens, a nonprofit organization in Upstate South Carolina dedicated to agritherapy, animal therapy, and agricultural education focused on military veterans and family members. After retiring from the US Army in 2020 as a Sergeant Major, she and her husband Matt saw the incredible impact farming made in the lives of their fellow veterans and set about to provide the resources and training to transitioning service members embarking on a career in agriculture.

Kara and Matt are both service-connected disabled veterans and focus on developing resources to assist other disabled veterans. In coordination with the Augusta VA Medical Center, they hosted a beekeeping program for disabled veterans with spinal cord injuries that was featured in Southern Living online. They regularly teach aquaponics classes, as it is a scalable and adaptable system for disabled veterans to incorporate into their agriculture plans. They sit on the Advisory Panel for the SC AgrAbility program to ensure disabled veterans are incorporated into the programming. Through their initiatives, such as the Palmetto Veterans in Agribusiness, they place transitioning service members in internships, conduct training programs, and work daily to advocate on behalf of veterans in agriculture at the local, state, and national level.

Kara serves as the Communications Director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of South Carolina, and the Treasurer of the Mangalitsa Breed Organization and Registry. Project Victory Gardens is hosted at Rutter’s Ranch, a 70-acre farm in Upstate South Carolina where they raise heritage breed pastured pigs, goats, alpacas, poultry, and bees and practice various growing methods. With over 25 years involved in food service, she loves knowing where her food comes from.

Kara received a Master of Hospitality Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and plans to pursue a PhD program focused on the impact of Agritourism on Rural Health at Clemson University starting in the fall of 2023. She is married and has two grown children. After a combined 45 years of active military service, Kara and Matt never take for granted a morning when they wake up on the farm.

Originally from the Central Valley of California, Tron Severe now resides in the lowcountry of South Carolina. He married his high school sweetheart and is the father of three. He is the Executive Director at Healing Farms: a non-profit that works to meet the needs of young adults with disabilities and their families in Charleston, SC. Prior to joining Healing Farms in 2014, Tron worked in the public school system where he taught special education at the high school level for nine years. Although he planned to teach forever, he felt God directing him to advocate and serve his students, as they became adults. He has a passion for empowering people to recognize the special needs population for their ABILITY rather than their disability. He believes that true community can only come by including those perceived by the world, as the least of these.

Pamela McElvane, MBA, MA, MCPC, is the CEO and founder of P&L Group, Ltd which has 3 key brands: Diversity MBA Media, DMBA Benchmarking & Diversity Learning Solutions, headquartered in Chicago, IL. Ms. McElvane has spent more than 25 years working with large and midsize companies providing insights and best practices, leadership and executive coaching, strategy, and organizational management. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur she led property and casualty insurance companies. “She believes people are the greatest asset to all organizations across the world so being treated with respect is a right.”

Diversity MBAs key brands positions companies to recognize top talent, celebrate diversity leadership, and support thought leaders. DiversityMBA Media publishes 3 magazines and distributes to 1.55 million subscribers print and digital. Inclusive Leadership Index has surveyed more than 1550 unique companies across industries; with more than 35,000 insights on meta data; and recognized more than 900 companies for the Best Places for Women and Diverse Managers to Work, 128 companies in the 2021 augural issue of Diversity Benchmarking Index. Diversity MBAs Top 100 also recognized 1600 leaders with advanced degrees for outstanding leadership and service. Diversity Learning Solution has trained more than 30,000 professionals within the past decade. And Diversity MBA partners and supports more than 30 professional associations and minority businesses.

As of January 2021, Ms. McElvane hosts weekly talk show: The Inclusive Voice on 820AM WCLT and has exceeded her 100th show. She serves as an expert panelist for Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Center, media expert, published in numerous publications, received many honors for her work. She is also certified master coach providing board development and executive legacy coaching. She holds MBA in finance and international marketing; MS in public policy from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business; and Advanced Executive Leadership certification from Dartmouth School of Business. Ms. McElvane has served on more than 40 boards across industries.

Ms. McElvane published in December 2021, SkiNy on Diversity Recruiting: Best Practice Trends & Strategies on Recruiting Guide. Book is available on AMAZON and at pamelaamcelvane.com. The second book will be published August 2023; SkiNy on Inclusion: Best Practice Trends & Strategies on Workplace Inclusion & Retention.

Ms. McElvane has been recognized in 2023 as the Top 50 Women we Admire of Illinois by Women We Admire Magazine; and 2023 Top 10 Most Influential Women by Era Magazine.

Tim Nash is an Oscar and BAFTA award-winning producer and a co-founder of Somesuch. Somesuch was founded in 2012 and is now one of the leading production houses globally.

Over the last decade, the company has gained a reputation for profound and culturally resonant work.

Somesuch has won every major industry award and is recognised as one of the leading production companies worldwide. It has been named Production Company of the Year by AdAge/Creativity, the British Arrows, Televisual Magazine and twice by Campaign Magazine.

As a long-term advocate for diversity in the industry, Tim is unwavering in his determination to utilize his position to facilitate change, creating and implementing equitable policies and diversifying representation both within the company and across Somesuch’s roster of directors. He is excited for the opportunity to be included in this event and learn more about the best practices of ensuring the inclusion of those living with disabilities in this mission.

John is the Founder of Digital Echo, a purpose-driven enterprise working with forward thinking organizations on digital inclusion and accessibility for those with impairments and disabilities. Digital Echo has expertise across the board; from document accessibility and remediation to website accessibility and assistive tools. They work with clients to ensure content is accessible to all and compliant with federal and state requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the rehabilitation act. He is a member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) and holds the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) designation.

The majority of John’s career has been spent in and around the technology sector working with nonprofits, financial institutions and other small and large businesses. Dating himself, in the 90s he sold one of the first internet banking packages to financial institutions; cutting edge software at the time….it used a dial up modem. In all of his roles there have been two central tenets that have helped him achieve success: First, implement solutions that leverage the people and processes of an organization, and second but most importantly, a dedication to relentless customer service.

John and his family are advocates for the visually impaired and have been puppy raisers for Southeastern Guide Dogs teaching young pups basic obedience and exposing them to the world around us. They have raised five labs that have gone on to empower individuals by fostering independence and mobility and ultimately helping them achieve their goals.

John holds a degree from Clemson University and currently resides in Charleston, SC with his wife and two daughters. When he's not cheering on his girls at lacrosse games, he can be found outdoors, either on the beach or in the kayak, fishing the tidal creeks.

Kimberly M. (“Kim”) Zeich is the Executive Director for the U.S. AbilityOne Commission.

In this position, she is responsible for advancing the strategic direction of the Presidentially-appointed Commissioners and managing the day-to-day operations of the agency and its AbilityOne Program – a jobs program that employs nearly 40,000 Americans who are blind or who have significant disabilities in the delivery of products and services to the Government.

Ms. Zeich previously served the Commission as Deputy Executive Director; Director, Program Operations; and Director, Business Development. During her tenure, she has been responsible for overseeing the review, rulemaking and administrative processes used to make regulations as well as to make additions, deletions or changes to the AbilityOne Procurement List. She has oversight of business processes and integration, nonprofit agency compliance monitoring, customer relationship management, and financial management, among other responsibilities. Ms. Zeich has also been integrally involved in the Agency's strategic planning and communications initiatives.

Ms. Zeich holds a Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School at the National Defense University. She has a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and graduated summa cum laude from the College of Journalism at the University of Maryland College Park. She is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute's Leadership for a Democratic Society Program and a member of the Senior Executive Service.

Audrey Brown is a native South Carolinian and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. After an award-winning, 20+ year career in the financial services industry, Audrey made the jump to state government and currently serves as the Director of Communications and Governmental Affairs for the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department. In this role, she focuses on raising awareness of the agency and the services it provides, and helping people understand that disability does not mean inability. Audrey has served on the Board of Sistercare, Inc., the Sandlapper Singers, and the Columbia Rotary Club. She and her husband Greg reside in Ridgeway, SC.

An attorney, Susan has had a diverse career, with CSX where she is retired as its Chief Diversity Officer. Prior roles with CSX include House Counsel specializing in tort work, heading both General and Freight Claims departments, founder of the Administrative Services Department, General Counsel and Corporate Officer of the CSX logistics unit, General Manager of the Crew Management Department and Assistant Vice President, Labor Relations. She has been heavily involved in the Jacksonville, Florida, community, being the first woman to chair the Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day, having served previously as Chairman of the United Way Board, Chairing Go Red for Women for the American Heart Association and chairing the Diversity Task Force for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Susan has served several charity boards and is a past President of the Uptown Civitan Club. She teaches her adult church school class, sings in her church choir, loves music, football and golf. Susan is a member of both the Alabama and Florida Bars. She resides in Jacksonville, Florida, United States.

Lisa Morganstern Bickel is the Chief Labor and Employment Counsel for Honeywell’s Aerospace Strategic Business Group headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. She has global responsibility for strategic and day-to-day labor and employment law counseling and litigation management for the Aerospace Business. She is also responsible for advising Honeywell enterprise wide on its strategic approach to Affirmative Action, OFCCP Compliance and Staffing.

Lisa is the Chair of the Company’s AllAbilities Employee Network which was launched in 2020. Lisa’s passion for driving disability and caretaker inclusion stems from her experience as a mother of quadruplets, two of whom were disabled. She understands the challenges of navigating complex organizations both as an employee and as an advocate for her children. She views AllAbilities as a path to advance inclusion in the workplace and to showcase how employees with different abilities drive innovation and growth.

Lisa was named the 2022 Executive Sponsor of the Year by Disability:IN for outstanding commitment and leading disability inclusion practices. She is also on the Board of Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation which provides hope and healing to children and adults with special needs through the wonders of camp, the beauty of nature and the human-animal connection.

Lisa joined Honeywell in 2000 after 9 years in private practice as a Labor and Employment Lawyer in Phoenix. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University and is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law.

Kerianne Krause started her career in South Carolina as a teacher’s assistant in a severe and profound classroom. During this time, she realized her passion for making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Kerianne worked through college working full time with children with Autism until she received her bachelor’s in psychology. As a senior at the College of Charleston Kerianne’s 4-year-old son was diagnosed with autism cementing her need to continue this wok. Right after receiving her Bachelors, Kerianne became an Assistant Clinical Director and began her Master of Science in Behavior Analysis and Autism. Kerianne’s Master’s thesis focused on mastery and retention in job skills for adults diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability. Upon graduation Kerianne passed her exam to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and became the Clinical Director at a Clinic in Beaufort, South Carolina.

In 2016 Kerianne opened her own company, Building Independence Together, which now employs 60+ employees and provides services to 75+ families in the Charleston and surrounding areas. Building Independence Together focuses on assent-based treatment. In 2017 Kerianne became the Director of the Charleston Walk for Autism, which provides funding for therapy to children with autism in the local community. The Walk is attended by over 1000 people each year. During this time she began working on a program book which would provide training to all individuals working in an inclusive setting to prepare for success and efficiency within the workplace.

In 2018 Kerianne reached out to her son’s godfather Tyler who was working in New York as a distiller to see if there was any way to include the mission of employing adults with disabilities within the alcohol industry. Tyler and his friend Ryan were looking to open their own distillery, and Beyond Distilling Company was born. After years of planning Beyond Distilling Company opened December 2021 with 1 employee. In January 2023 Beyond Distilling is 95% staffed by individuals with varying disabilities. Kerianne is excited to be a part of Beyond Distilling Company’s mission by providing an inclusive environment to those seeking employment who may otherwise have been excluded from the workforce. All of this has led to her current passion, which is a desire to make a sustainable place of work for individuals with disabilities and train companies how to become more inclusive in their hiring.

Kerianne has been an invited speaker for The American Craft Spirits Association discussing “Positivity in the Workplace”, was featured on Beaufort News, and was a guest of the podcast Voice of Charleston Women. Kerianne’s work at Beyond Distilling Company has been recognized by: Charleston Women’s Magazine, The Post and Courier, Beverage Dynamics, and The Charleston City Paper. Kerianne’s passion is driven by the support of her husband and 4 children.

Bradley Crain is a Workforce Development Specialist at the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. He is responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating customized employment strategies in support of the AbilityOne Program.

The Commission is the independent Federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program, which facilitates the use of government procurement to provide employment in the United States for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. More than 36,000 individuals, including more than 2,500 veterans, are employed nationwide at more than 440 nonprofit agencies from Maine to Guam. AbilityOne provided nearly $4 billion in products and services to approximately 40 Federal government agencies in FY 2022.

Mr. Crain joined the Commission in 2021 as a vocational rehabilitation specialist. He has worked in the disability field for more than 10 years and is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Associate (LPC/A) in South Carolina, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor. He is also a doctoral candidate in counselor education and supervision from the University of South Carolina.

George Dorsey is the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for OFCCP-Southeast Region. Mr. Dorsey has a long and diverse career as an Equal Opportunity and DEIA practitioner. Mr. Dorsey has started his OFCCP career in 2010 and has served in a variety of positions beginning with being hired as a Senior Compliance Officer and subsequently promoted to the Director of Regional Operations and in his current capacity as the Deputy Regional Director. During his tenure Mr. Dorsey helped to lead the Southeast Region to bring to closure a number of systemic cases resulting in hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in backpay. Most recently, Mr. spearheaded the development of two major first of its kind, technology initiatives, the Affirmative Action Plan Verification Interface (AAVI) as well as the Notification of Construction Contract Award Portal (NCCAP).

Before his OFCCP career, Mr. Dorsey served as a human resources practitioner and Diversity Officer for the cities of Arvada, CO and Las Vegas, NV. As the Diversity Officer for the city of Las Vegas, he spearheaded a national and state award winning Diversity Initiative for a 3,000-employee organization. Mr. Dorsey was the principal owner for Dorsey and Associates, a Human Resources/Equal Opportunity consulting firm located in Las Vegas. Mr. Dorsey was also in charge of Animal Control, Parking Enforcement, and crime analysis for the City of Las Vegas. He also served twenty-six years in the United States Air Force, as a Security Forces Specialist and Personnel Specialist. After receiving his commission, he served as the Director of Equal Opportunity for the Colorado, California, and Nevada National Guard bases. He retired as a Major, ultimately ending his career as a Force Support Officer at Dobbins ARB, GA.

Mr. Dorsey attended Colorado State University, played Division 1 football and graduated with an Economics undergraduate degree. To further his education, he attended Regis University in Denver, CO, and graduated with a Master of Business Administration.

Mr. Dorsey is an avid health enthusiast and has written books on health and fitness, as well as detailing systemic health disparities within Black communities.

Melinda C. Dugas joined the EEOC as Regional Attorney for the EEOC’s Charlotte District in November 2020. Through the Office of General Counsel, Melinda plays a key role in managing the Agency’s enforcement litigation program. Melinda has over 20 years of experience as a litigation attorney and has represented both employees and employers in employment discrimination cases. Melinda's experience provides a unique and balanced perspective on resolving workplace conflict.

Originally from West Virginia, Melinda obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Frostburg State University and a Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University College of Law. Before attending law school, Melinda worked for the State of Maryland as a manager for an agency dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities where she played an integral part in leading the agency’s efforts to facilitate diversity and equal opportunity in the workplace. Immediately prior to joining the EEOC, Melinda was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of West Virginia. She served as a member of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Court Improvement Board and as Chair of the West Virginia State Bar Legal Outreach Committee.

Tim Barkley is the owner and publisher of Charleston Home + Design Magazine, now in its 24th year. Charleston Home + Design Magazine is different from many other publications...100% of the content reflects local kitchen, bathroom, outdoor living and remodeling projects. In addition, the Charleston Home + Design Magazine organizes local home shows which provides a platform for the same advertisers in the magazine to meet and speak to the public directly. The magazine also broadcasts a terrestrial radio show called “Talking About a Home” which airs every Saturday morning 9-10am on 94.3 WSC-FM.

Prior to founding Charleston Home + Design Magazine, Tim worked in radio and TV gaining valuable multimedia experience as well as event organizing, both of which have heavily influenced the direction of the magazine over the years. Tim credits his amazing staff for the magazines success, taking his ideas and putting them into action.

Tim has been married for 21 years and has two daughters, each in their first years of high school and college.

Adellina Cini is an Archaeologist, Marine Geoscientist and world traveler who is passionate about how environments can improve quality of life. After completing her studies in Archaeology and Film at the University of Rome, Italy, Adellina went on to explore Marine Geosciences in Israel. She has been involved in various research projects, excavated at the Coliseum, and helped shoot documentaries with 22 Emmy-Award-winning documentarian Nick Nanton.

Adellina has been a part of Mosaic Design Studio, her mother Lisa M. Cini’s Interior design firm specializing in Senior Living and Alzheimer’s and dementia care since she was 8 years old. Her experiences growing up in a home with four generations were documented in her mother’s book “Hive” the simple guide to multigenerational living and Alzheimer’s.

She is now the Director of The Werner House, a part of the Infinite Living Collaboration, which is an Aging-in-place technology showcase. Through her work, she is striving to create a better tomorrow for seniors, people with disabilities and their families.

Michael Perry, AIA, LEED AP, is a licensed architect in 20 states, principal of Progressive AE, and leads their universal design consulting practice. Mike serves on the Board of Directors of the Global Universal Design Commission, and he frequently writes and presents on the topic of Universal Design in the built environment. He has led Universal Design discussions at universities including Notre Dame, The University of Michigan, and Syracuse University and presented at international conferences including the San Antonio Inclusion Summit, SRAPPA, New York CoreNet, CoreNet Global, Bloomberg Leadership Summit, Disability IN Chicago, and the Zero Project in Vienna, Austria. He is helping companies such as Merck, Oracle, Amazon, DHL, Pfizer, Nielsen, Nationwide Insurance, CUNA Mutual Group, and Siemens Energy, live their values by creating truly inclusive environments across their global footprint. He also co-authored a research paper that is published in the Disability and Health Journal titled “Participation by Design - Integrating a social-ecological approach with universal design,” and also authored a chapter for the National Inclusion Project Standards specifically applying universal design thinking to facilities and equipment. In 2018, Mike led the effort to create a proprietary set of Universal Design assessment tools and strategies receiving registration from the US Copyright Office.

There are moments in all of our lives that we can look back upon and say that was a defining moment in our life. It is without hesitation that Joe Rhea can look back and know when his life was forever altered. At the age of 14 on September 11, 1984, Joe sustained a broken neck on the football field and was paralyzed from the neck down. The doctors said he would never walk again.

Can you imagine what this moment would feel like? What would go through your mind? There are only two types of people in this world, ones who fight, and ones who don't.

Joe chose to fight!

Joe's inspirational story began days later when he began getting some feeling back in his left leg. That's when the doctors and physical therapists gave him a choice: work harder than you can imagine and endure more pain than you have ever thought possible or to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair.

So Joe worked hard and felt pain. And now, not only is he not in a wheelchair, he walks, runs, plays golf and skis.

Joe has shared his story with thousands of people around the world. He has helped others with devastating injuries lead a full life, and he will inspire your audience with insights into how to stay positive no matter what the circumstances.

Dr. Hoby Wedler is an insightful, disarming, and passionate thinker who loves to bring people together to help them see new possibilities. With the heart of a teacher, Hoby helps turn dreams into realities. Hoby has been completely blind since birth. He is a chemist, an entrepreneur, a sensory expert, and is driven by his passion for innovative, creative, and insightful thinking. Hoby is remarkably tuned into his surroundings and has frequently chosen to walk the unbeaten paths in life over known territories. In 2016, Hoby earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from UC Davis. His fearlessness is infectious, and he has actively paved the way for others to join him in his quest to follow passions regardless of the challenges that lie ahead.

In 2011, Hoby founded a non-profit organization to lead annual chemistry camps for blind and visually impaired students throughout North America. In the same year, he began opening doors to the world of wine aromas by developing Tasting in the Dark, a truly blindfolded wine experience, in collaboration with Francis Ford Coppola. He has since expanded the program to a global market in a variety of industries and special projects. Hoby uses his highly-trained palate and acute sensory insight of his surroundings in his work as a sensory expert and product development consultant. Over the years, Hoby has become a motivational speaker, a mentor, and an educator committed to making the world more inclusive and accessible for all. Hoby also co-founded a gourmet seasonings company, Hoby’s Essentials and is co-founder of Senspoint, a Creative and Marketing firm who works with anyone committed to creating positive impact.

In Hoby’s work, you will find a unique trilogy between sensory awareness, scientific knowledge, and a love for sharing his insights.

Numerous people and organizations have recognized Hoby’s work over the years. To name a few, President Barack Obama recognized Hoby by naming him a Champion of Change for enhancing employment and education opportunities for people with disabilities. Also, Forbes Media named Hoby as a leader in food and drink in their 30 under 30 annual publication. In 2021, Hoby was named a 40 under 40 Tastemaker by The Wine Enthusiast. Hoby is dedicated to impacting everyone he works with by unlocking doors, overcoming challenges, increasing awareness, and expanding their horizons.

Dr. Michael Moxley is Vice President and Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity Officer at Roper St. Francis Healthcare (RSFH) in Charleston, SC. Dr. Moxley partners with RSFH board members, leaders, physicians and teammates in identifying, recommending and promoting inclusive diversity strategies while also seeing patients as an OB/GYN doctor.

Dr. Moxley interfaces with Community Health, which includes RSFH’s community-facing programs such as AccessHealth Tricounty Network, Senior Services, Ryan White Wellness Center, Greer Transitions Clinic and RSFH's Community Outreach - as well as providing guidance to the system's Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Previously, Dr. Moxley steered the OB/GYN department and the physician group at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. He also joined with Georgetown University in efforts to increase student and resident diversity while also working to eliminate health disparities in patient care.

Prior to his tenure at Virginia Hospital Center, Dr. Moxley served as the associate dean for Diversity and Medical Education for the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, VA. There, he helped underrepresented minority students become more competitive for admission to medical school. He also served as director of UVA's Summer Medical Dental Education program, which is one of the nation's leading medical school preparatory programs for groups historically excluded from medicine and those with disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dr. Moxley serves on the boards of Palmetto Goodwill and the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

With more than 27 years of progressive experience in inclusion and diversity, health equity, community relations, and corporate social responsibility, Bridget Hurd has worked in the health care industry helping to facilitate stronger linkages among the community and health care institutions, addressing health and health care disparities and promoting a culture of inclusion.

Ms. Hurd is the Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan where she is responsible for leading and executing the corporate inclusion and diversity strategy for Blue Cross and its subsidiaries and shaping a culture of inclusion where all perspectives are valued. She also leads the Office of Health and Health Care Disparities with a vision of Better Health for All where she developed a framework for advancing health equity and focuses on achieving health equity in the delivery of, quality and access to care. Ms. Hurd leads the enterprise’s Diversity Leadership Councils, Physician Diversity Council and oversees cultural competency learning opportunities for employees where employees learn about different cultures, communities, generations, workstyles and perspectives; coaching programs through its Employee Resource Networks, 14 employee resource networks and the integration of an inclusion lens in providing service to members and customers.

She currently represents Blue Cross on the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April 2020. She serves on the BCBS Health Equity Champions Committee and is a co-chair for the national Health Care Transformation Task Force Health Equity Advisory Group. Hurd is a recipient of the national DentaQuest 2020 Health Equity Heroes award which recognizes individuals working to achieve equity during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, she was also recognized as a Top 100 Diversity Officer by the National Diversity Council.

Prior to that, Ms. Hurd was the director of Community Responsibility at BCBSM. In this role, she developed and led strategic community partnerships to encourage healthy, active lifestyles at every age and advanced the Blues brand in local communities. She oversaw corporate giving, stakeholder relationships, the employee and executive volunteer programs, and corporate internal and special events.

Before joining BCBSM, Ms. Hurd worked for eight years at the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (a non-profit, regional coalition). As part of the organization’s executive team, she played a significant role in branding and building its regional and national image, organizational capacity building and directing strategic planning and sharpening its focus on health policy initiatives. She managed strategic partnerships and led internal and external communications, including media relations achieving recurring visibility in print and other media. Ms. Hurd was also responsible for member recruitment and retention, governance and board relations, stakeholder communications, sponsorships, and planning educational and fundraising events. Through these efforts she strengthened the organization’s focus, visibility, and influence, both nationally and regionally.

Ms. Hurd has also worked at the Detroit Medical Center where she was press secretary and has conducted community relations for St. John Providence Health System helping to increase access to health services through community engagement. She has provided communications leadership and community outreach for other health care entities including the Voices of Detroit Initiative, the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority and the Michigan Cover the Uninsured Network.

A community steward serving on numerous advisory committees and boards in the Metropolitan Detroit community, Ms. Hurd is a board member of Detroit Equity, Inc, LAHC – Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities, the Michigan Diversity Council and a past advisory board member of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans. She has served as a member of the President’s National Advisory Council for Henry Ford College and the President’s Community Advisory Group for Wayne State University. Ms. Hurd is a former board member of One Detroit Credit Union that focuses on providing access to financial resources to underserved communities, Special Olympics of Michigan, the Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Southfield Community Foundation where she also served as interim executive director.

She is a graduate of Wayne State University where she obtained a Master of Business Administration degree and the University of Michigan where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She is a Certified Diversity Professional, a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory and has a certificate for Corporate Citizenship Leadership from the Boston College Carroll School of Management Center for Corporate Citizenship and is a graduate of Leadership Detroit XXXI. Hurd also participated in the Disparities Leadership Program of the Disparities Solution Center at Boston Massachusetts General Hospital.