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Schedule

7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.   Conference Registration

**6 SHRM continuing education credits are available for attending the conference.

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​8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.   Corporate Exhibits

Please visit the exhibit booths and meet our sponsors.

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​8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.   Coach's Corner

Professional coaches from the International Coach Federation – Houston Chapter will be offering complimentary career and life coaching sessions. Sign up at the Registration Desk to take advantage of this exciting opportunity!

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​8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.   Welcome Remarks  

  • Cecil Fong – Executive Director, Empower Summit​
     

  • Honorary Co-Chairs:

    • Donna Cole – President and CEO, Cole Chemical​​ and Distributing 

    • Angela Johnson – VP Diversity and Inclusion, Oxy

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​​8:50 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.   Plenary Session A 

 

Love as an Empowerment Strategy

 

​Empower your team and drive success with insights from the authors of the Wall Street Journal bestseller . This session is packed with real-world examples showing how a culture of 'love' creates a high-performing, empowered workforce, leading to impactful results.

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​​9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.   Plenary Session B

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Evolution of Workforce Empowerment

 

Influential leaders share their past experiences and perspectives on workforce empowerment trends that:

  • Brought significant benefits and shifts to their field of expertise.

  • Lessons learned where practice can be improved.

  • Explore unintended consequences with empowerment practices being eliminated.

  • Offer ways to operate that meet challenges to the current environment.

  • How/what to prepare for the future workforce that would result in good outcomes for recruitment, retention, profitability, productivity, and business growth, while fostering innovation and creativity.

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10:35 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.    Networking Break

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​11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Concurrent Sessions

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A. Gender Bias: Bridging the Gap in Women's Leadership

  • Moderator:

    • Denise Malloy – SVP Chief Belonging Officer, Walmart (retired)

  • Panelists:      

 

A discussion on where are we and what to do for ourselves and each other. These powerful women are leading the way for others and breaking ground for new thought leadership.​

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B. Leveraging the "5 Voices" to Foster Inclusivity and Connection

 

Regardless of your ethnic background, hometown, or personal identity, we all share common traits that have the power to unite us. Instead of focusing on the differences that often divide us, the "5 Voices" framework offers a way to strengthen connections and build bridges across identities. The "5 Voices" system highlights key characteristics that we all possess, some more pronounced than others. By recognizing these shared traits, we can move beyond surface-level challenges and engage more deeply through common values.

 

Understanding the strengths and potential growth areas of each "Voice" also allows us to appreciate differences while fostering personal growth to collaborate more effectively and support one another, especially during challenging times.
 

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12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.   Luncheon​

Recognition of Past Summit Champions from the Last 25 Years​

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1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.   Concurrent Session

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A. Inclusion Fatigue: Unpacking this Moment and Moving Forward with Courage, Connection & Curiosity

 

Fatigue around diversity and inclusion is real! Explore the signs/symptoms, root causes, and how to move forward with courage, connection, and curiosity.

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B. The Evolution of Employee Wellness: Driving Positive Culture During Times of Change

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The evolution of employee wellness reflects a growing understanding of the diverse fast-evolving needs of the workforce. Initially focused on physical health, wellness programs now encompass mental health, work-life balance, and financial well-being.

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C. An Overview of LGBTQ Issues on the Horizon

  • Austin Ruiz – President, Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus

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Learn about policy advances and challenges facing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or LGBTQ+ community in Texas today and on the horizon. Attendees will hear about some of the current needs and concerns of your LGBTQ+ employees and their families. This interactive session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Houston region and beyond.

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 ​2:35 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.   Network Reception & Drawing for Door Prizes

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