The University of Miami Business School will host its inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Conference on Thursday, Sept. 26 to provide a platform for business leaders and academics tor share diverse ideas on current events and trends affecting the workplace.
The conference will include participation of academics and feature diverse faculty, alumni panels and guest speakers. Among the speakers is Hilarie Bass, president of the Bass Institute for Diversity and Inclusion and chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, who will provide an overview of effective strategies to incorporate in an inclusive workplace.
"This is a vital staff-led initiative open to all ’Canes who want to learn how to transform culture and build more creative, productive and rewarding workplace environments,” said John Quelch, dean of Miami Business School. “Diversity is a central part of who we are as Miami Business School. Performance in both classrooms and in business benefits from the collective sharing of diverse points of view and experiences."
The event reflects UM’s Roadmap to Our New Century, as one of the key aspirations of the institution is to become a more diverse and inclusive environment where all people feel valued and add value to the institution. A conference of this caliber is essential to the growth of the University and business world at large, and provides the opportunity to unite prospective students, current students, alumni and corporate partners.
The conference will be held at Storer Auditorium from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is open to the University community and the public. Speakers include Isaac Prilleltensky, professor and vice provost for institutional culture; Miriam Lipsky, assistant provost for institutional culture; and Patricia Abril, vice dean of graduate business programs at Miami Business School.
Laura Kohn-Wood, dean of the School of Education and Human Development, will lead a panel discussion on “Enhancing the Campus Climate.”
“The MBS Diversity Conference is a wonderful opportunity to engage with multiple stakeholders for exchange of information, best practices, innovative initiative and cutting edge scholarship that elucidates the importance of equity and inclusion in educational and professional contexts,” said Kohn-Wood. “There is increasing evidence that diverse teams are better at producing knowledge, advancing productivity and solving complex problems. This means that addressing diversity is not just the right thing to do in education and business; it is the smart thing to do.”
Her panel will focus on methods and practices for enhancing inclusivity on college campuses, in service of preparing students to be able to work effectively and equitably in their professional lives after college.
For attendee registration and more information, visit: https://www.bus.miami.edu/thought-leadership/business-conferences/diversity/index.html
