Rajkumari Neogy

Chief Executive Officer – iBelong

LinkedIn

Rajkumari Neogy (he/she) is the CEO of ibelong, a platform offering on-demand resources for workplaces dedicated to building inclusive and resonant cultures. With more than two decades of experience as an epigenetic coach and executive consultant focusing on the intersection of neurobiology, culture and empathy, Neogy combines a rare blend of scientific prowess and emotion to reimagine leadership. Specializing in the technology sector, Neogy has worked with high-powered organizations throughout the world, training leaders at Google, Facebook, Adobe, Indeed, Slack, Salesforce and more.

Neogy’s approach to effective management combines the discovery of deep-rooted transgenerational trauma with best practices for dismantling toxic work cultures. Weaving humor and vulnerability into psychology to tell powerful stories about the basic human need to belong, Neogy helps leaders and organizations identify critical interpersonal issues in the workplace, increasing effectiveness, emotional intelligence and sustained performance among Teams.

In 2013, Neogy founded iRestart, a company providing resources for leadership development and organizational epigenetics to address issues of team dysfunction and exclusion. Through iRestart, Neogy created the Biology of Belonging Boot Camp framework that employs six powerful methodologies to swiftly facilitate sustainable, permanent change within organizations. Neogy is also the host of Then, Now & Tomorrow, a podcast exploring what it takes to foster inclusive leadership and cultivate resonant cultures in the workplace. Previously, Neogy held positions in training and development at several technology companies, including Adobe and Facebook, and frequently presents on epigenetics and the biology of belonging at worldwide conferences, including Culturati, Responsive Conference and Culture Summit. Neogy holds a bachelor’s degree in film from San Jose State University, a master’s degree in transformative leadership from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and is the author of “The WIT Factor: Shifting the Workplace Paradigm by Becoming Your Optimal Self.”

Topic: Conflict as Catalyst: Harnessing Neuroscience and the Hidden Power of Contention to Rewire Leadership

Ernest Adams

Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Ford Motor Company

LinkedIn

Topic: Coming soon!

Aileen K. Alexander

Chief Executive Officer, DSG Global

LinkedIn

Aileen K. Alexander is the Chief Executive Officer of Diversified Search Group, the largest woman-founded executive search firm in the world. Her responsibilities include oversight and management of the company. She previously served as Vice Chair, leading the firm’s Global Corporate Practice. Aileen is a Global Board Member of AltoPartners, a leading international alliance of executive search firms, with Diversified Search Group as the exclusive U.S. partner.

Based in Philadelphia, Alexander is a recognized leader in the executive search and talent management industry, having led C-suite and Board level searches from large, global corporations to high growth entrepreneurial companies. She leverages her expertise in technology, cybersecurity, risk management, leadership, and succession planning to enable clients to achieve their purpose and strategic priorities. Alexander is committed to ensuring client service that is creative, nimble, responsive, always centered on people first and building diverse teams that drive innovation, growth, and inclusive cultures.

Prior to joining Diversified Search Group, Alexander was a Managing Partner at Korn Ferry where she co-launched and co-led the firm’s Global Cybersecurity Practice. She had leadership responsibilities for Philadelphia and was also a member of the Technology Officers and Aerospace and Defense practices. She entered the industry with Heidrick & Struggles, in their Washington, DC office.

Before embarking on her career in executive search, Aileen worked in international security and defense policy at the Department of Defense and U.S. House of Representatives. She is also a military veteran, having served as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

Aileen is a member of the CEO Council of Growth at the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and also a member of the University City Science Center Board of Directors. Additionally, she sits on the Board of her alma mater, Villa Joseph Marie High School in Holland, PA.

Topic: Coming soon!

Dr. Chris Brooks

Founding Partner, Brown Venture Group; Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Clarendon Capital Ventures

LinkedIn

Dr. Chris Brooks is a prominent investor and thought leader in the venture capital space, currently serving as Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Clarendon Capital Ventures.

Established in 2024, Clarendon Capital Ventures focuses on investment opportunities across the African continent and within global African diaspora communities.
Prior to founding Clarendon Capital Ventures, in 2018 Dr. Brooks co-founded Brown Venture Group, a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting technology startups led by diverse entrepreneurs.

In addition to his investment endeavors, Dr. Brooks holds advisory and educational roles, including serving as an Advisory Board Member at Harvard Business Review, a Senior Advisor to The Pula Group, a Senior Advisor for the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, and a Visiting Lecturer at Stanford University.

Dr. Brooks is also an accomplished author; his bestselling book “Omówálé” was published in 2024.

Topic: Investing in Impact: What Venture Capital Teaches Us About Diversity, Innovation, and Prosperity

Kim Bui Barnett

Vice President of Special Projects, CNN

LinkedIn

Kim Bui Barnett is a former media executive who dedicated nearly three decades to CNN, culminating as Vice President of Special Projects. Recognized for her innovative leadership, significant revenue growth and ability to create impactful content, she was honored with the Most Powerful Women Rising Tide Award in 2022.

In 2024, Kim shifted her primary focus to family and community. She remains a leader and a creative thinker, who strives to overwhelm the world with goodness. On any given day, you might find her supporting cancer patients through Imerman Angels or contributing toward combating local hunger with Backpack Society.

Kim also provides news for people who are blind or have low vision by recording audio for Aftersight and serves as a scripture reader at Saint Mark Catholic Church.

To recharge, she enjoys adventures in nature with family and friends, as well as practicing yoga and flying trapeze. Ultimately, Kim’s driving passion lies in meaningful service to others and a belief in the transformative power of compassion.

Topic: Coming soon!

Ira Bedzow

Executive Director of the Emory Purpose Project, Emory University

LinkedIn

Ira Bedzow, Ph.D. (Emory University) is the Executive Director of the Emory Purpose Project, one of the signature elements of Emory University’s Student Flourishing Initiative, whose mission is to unite diverse partners across the Emory community in providing opportunities for students to develop a muscle for reflection on purpose and meaning. Bedzow is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, a core faculty member of Emory’s Center for Ethics, a senior fellow in the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, and the unit head of the International Chair in Bioethics at Emory University.

His interests relate to understanding the ethical implications of biotechnology and healthcare policy as well as how organizations can create an ethical culture through values-driven leadership. When it comes to ethical leadership, he tries to show that making a values-driven decision and implementing it effectively consist of different skills and face different challenges. Understanding the difference between asking “what to do” and “how can I act on my values successfully” is key to leadership and organizational success.

Bedzow is also Senior Scholar of the Aspen Center for Social Values, co-director of the Ferencz Institute for Ethics, Human Rights and the Holocaust, and a regular contributor in Forbes. He is also an Orthodox rabbi (yoreh yoreh, yadin yadin).

Topic: From Division to Decision: Practical Ethical Frameworks for Leadership in Polarized Times

Colleen Echohawk

Interim Executive Director, Seattle Indian Services Commission

LinkedIn

Topic: Coming soon!

Haleh Liza Gafori

Vocalist, Poet, Educator

LinkedIn

Haleh Liza Gafori is a New York City-born translator, performance artist, writer, and educator of Persian descent. A 2024 MacDowell fellow, she has translated the poetry of the Persian mystic and sage Rumi. Her book of translations entitled Gold: Poems by Rumi, was published by New York Review Books in 2022. Gafori’s second volume of translations, Water: Poems by Rumi, will be released in April 2025, also by NYRB Classics. Supported by an NYSCA grant, Gafori has created a musical and cross-media performance based on the book and has presented her work, via performances and lectures and workshops, at institutions such as Lincoln Center, Stanford University, the Academy of American Poets, and Sarah Lawrence College. Her book of translations Gold has been incorporated in the curricula of universities across the country.

Topic: Coming soon!

David Glasgow

Executive Director, Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

LinkedIn

David Glasgow is the founding executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, an adjunct professor at New York University School of Law, and coauthor of the award-winning book Say the Right Thing: How to Talk about Identity, Diversity, and Justice.

A nationally recognized expert on allyship as well as the law of diversity, equity, and inclusion, David has written for a range of publications including the American Journal of Law and Equality, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, TIME, and the Harvard Business Review. He was the lead author on Black Theatre United’s “New Deal for Broadway,” a historic agreement to transform the commercial theatre industry.

A dual-qualified attorney in New York and Australia, David has a BA in philosophy and an LLB from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Laws (LLM) from NYU School of Law.

Prior to his role at the Meltzer Center, he practiced employment, labor relations, and antidiscrimination law at international law firm King & Wood Mallesons, and clerked on the Federal Court of Australia.

Topic: Mitigating Risk, Maximizing Impact: Legal Insights to Future-Proof Your DEI Strategy In Uncertain Times

Jessica Hardeman

Global Head of DEIB+ and Talent Attraction, Indeed

LinkedIn

Topic: Coming soon!

Aaron Craig Mitchell

Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Craig Mitchell Enterprises

LinkedIn

Aaron Craig Mitchell is an LA based Entrepreneur, Investor, Advisor, Coach, and Changemaker with nearly 20 years experience across various industries.

Aaron is currently building his coaching and advisory business. His goal is to help people and organizations make unexpected connections to address challenges, broaden perspectives and redefine what prosperity means. He was recently the Director of HR for Netflix Animation, where he led HR for one of the largest and fastest growing animation studios in history. An experienced business leader with a demonstrated history of executing change, Aaron has become globally recognized for his historic work pioneering Netflix’s 2% Cash Holdings Pledge of $100 Million into Black Owned Banks. An initiative that not only led to critical acclaim, but also anchored a movement for financial equity & inclusion and opened doors for marginalized communities to flourish. His work has led to features in The New York Times, CNBC, and Wired.

Before joining Netflix, Aaron led Talent Management for MassMutual where he was responsible for succession planning, leadership development, executive recruitment, and university relations. He also served as the Recruitment Leader for Citi’s APAC (Asia-Pacific) and EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Africa) Consumer Bank where he was responsible for workforce planning, selection, and onboarding and previously lead strategy and planning for Citi’s Asia-Pacific recruitment team specifically focused on the refinement of technology, process, and data quality capabilities.

Aaron currently serves on the boards of UNICEF USA, The Atlanta Music Project and The People Concern, as well as an Advisor for Struct Club and People Tech Advisors.

Born in New Haven, CT, he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, and BBA from Temple University in Pennsylvania. He resides in Los Angeles, CA with his wife and two daughters.

Topic: Leading Through Resistance: A Blueprint for Breaking Barriers and Driving Impact

Reena Patel

Global Managing Partner and Practice Leader, Yardstick Consulting | DSG Global

LinkedIn

Reena Patel, Ph.D. serves as leader of the Diversified Search Group’s Consulting practice and as Managing Partner at Yardstick Management, which was acquired by the firm in 2023. She delivers strategic leadership and operational oversight and cultivates partnerships to drive business growth and achieve organizational objectives.
Reena brings proven expertise in strategic leadership, digital transformation, technology and media, business development, licensing, revenue growth, and championing diversity and inclusion initiatives within the corporate framework.

Reena excels in analyzing, strategizing, and executing projects with big ideas and optimizing outcomes through data-driven insights for tailored client solutions.

She collaborates with boards and executive teams and is dedicated to achieving common goals, ensuring smooth project execution for cohesive client efforts. She consistently exceeds metrics, providing clients with results-driven solutions that surpass benchmarks, ensuring project success.

In her former position with Playboy Enterprises Inc (PLBY Group), Reena functioned as President of International and COO of Global Licensing and Joint Ventures. She was responsible for Playboy’s brand monetization across licensing, gaming, digital product, and third-party retail.

She previously served as a member of the senior management team as Vice President of Global Licensing at International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT), with additional experience in various roles with Merrill Lynch and Sun Life Investments.

Reena is an advisor for two AI-based startups, sits on the board of the Lycée International School of Los Angeles, and volunteers as a Crisis Counselor with The Trevor Project.

Reena holds a B.Sc. in Basic Medical Sciences from the University of Toronto, Canada, an MBA from Plymouth University, New Hampshire, and a Ph.D. in International Business from the ISM, Paris. She lives in Los Angeles with her partner, two boys, and three pups.

Topic: Coming soon!

Tom Seamands

Senior Principal, McChrystal Group

LinkedIn

Topic: Coming soon!

Slma Shelbayah

Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Shelbayah Consulting

LinkedIn

Topic: Coming soon!

Ralph E. Tavares, Jr.

Senior Vice President of People and Culture, Storbeck Search | DSG Global

LinkedIn

Ralph is a problem solver who meets challenges with enthusiasm and an open heart. Spending nearly two decades creating equity in and access to higher education for students of color, Ralph has played critical roles in developing multicultural recruitment, retention, and mentoring plans and programs.

Ralph has worked in administrative roles at Salve Regina University, Providence College, and, most recently, Roger Williams University School of Law.

Among his leadership and program activities, Ralph is a lead consultant with Huckel Inclusive, former President and a member of the advisory board of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (DAIP), a member of the planning committee for the National Partnership for Educational Access Annual Conference, board member of the Diversity Business Expo in Rhode Island, and member-emeritus of the Northeast Consortium Bridging Access to College (NECBAC). He is currently a 2025 Black Leadership Institute Fellow on the National Institute for Non-Profit Practice, a recent graduate of the Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative, and a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island’s Rho II cohort. He is the recipient of the 2022 MVP Award from Storbeck Search, the 2021 Dean’s Distinguished Service Award from Roger Williams University School of Law, the 2021 Diversity Champion Award from Providence Business News, the 2019 Torchbearer Award from Providence College, and the 2015 Founder’s Award from the New England Counselors of Color Bridging Access to College.

Ralph is a Providence College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Black Studies, Women’s Studies, and Business, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Management and Innovation from Salve Regina University.

Topic: Mitigating Risk, Maximizing Impact: Legal Insights to Future-Proof Your DEI Strategy In Uncertain Times

Quincy Weatherspoon

Vice President & GM of Point of Care Solutions, Flatiron Health

LinkedIn

Quincy Weatherspoon is the Vice President and General Manager of Flatiron Point of Care Solutions at Flatiron Health. He leads the team responsible for Flatiron’s point-of-care business, focusing on expanding oncology solutions to help clinicians provide the best possible patient care. Since joining Flatiron in 2021, Quincy has played a transformative role in the company’s marketing efforts and led Point of Care Solutions sales to community oncology practices.

With over 17 years of experience in healthtech and medical devices, Quincy has spent the last 15 years in global commercial leadership roles across multiple healthcare markets. In addition to his role at Flatiron, he actively serves on the board of the Georgia Transplant Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio Northern University with a focus on finance and marketing and obtained an MBA from the University of Cincinnati in finance.

Topic: Coming soon!