2015 Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Set for Sept. 10

SPRINGFIELD – Exploring unconscious bias will be the topic for discussion at the 2015 Diversity & Inclusion Interactive Workshop, sponsored by Baystate Health, to be conducted Sept. 10 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Open to the public, participants can select either the morning session from 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or attend a repeated session from 1 to 5:45 p.m.
“At Baystate Health, we understand that diversity and inclusion are a business imperative. In alignment with our business and development goals, and in support of the community, we are pleased to offer hands-on education and best practice workshops to the region’s diversity champions and leaders, including our own employees,” said Dr. Mark A. Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health.

During the half-day interactive learning experience, skills will be gained in decision-making, building inclusive teams and cultures, intercultural communications, and increasing employee engagement.

Attendees will have an opportunity to:
• Better understand the science, research, and impact of unconscious bias;
• Become aware of one’s own background and its impact on individual perceptions;
• Explore functions of the unconscious mind and their impact in the workplace;
• Apply new strategies for practicing more conscious awareness to concrete action steps; and
• Recognize the business case for a reinvented approach to diversity and inclusion.

Presenters include principal consultant, and keynote speaker, Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale, who will be joined by Armers Moncure, Joe Gerstandt and Melanie Miller, all from Cook Ross, a premier diversity and inclusion consulting firm.

O’Neale has more than 30 years of experience leading the diversity and inclusion efforts of businesses and organizations in over 25 countries. She designs global diversity and inclusion strategic initiatives, identifies diverse talent, and provides leadership and executive coaching for multinational, Fortune 500 and mid-sized organizations.

Moncure began consulting as a diversity practitioner in 1999 at Allegis Group, the largest privately held staffing company in the U.S., where he assumed the responsibility of developing and executing a strategic plan to recruit and retain more diverse talent, created more inclusive work environments, and participated in the development of the corporate mission statement for the company’s Diversity Council. Today, his areas of speaking, consulting and training focus on unconscious bias, cultural competency, and employee engagement.

Gerstandt has worked with organizations from Fortune 500 corporations to small non-profits. He is a featured contributor for the Workforce Diversity Network Expert Forum and his insights have been published in numerous print and on-line journals.

Miller previously served for several years in corporate America in a sales and advertising capacity. She now uses her “business lens” to provide consulting, training, culture audits, speaking/keynoting, and needs assessments throughout North America and internationally. She has developed numerous programs incorporating the multi-facets of leading, managing and leveraging organizational strength through leadership, inclusion and cross-cultural competence.
Registration, which includes parking, is $150. To register, visit the baystatehealth.org website, then click on “About Us,” then click on “Diversity and Inclusion.” For more information, call (413) 794-7722.