DFW Diversity Strategies Conference 2012- PANEL DISCUSSION
Join us for the 4th Annual DFW Diversity Strategies Conference. This event attracts staffing / employment and employee relations professionals as well as executives from across the DFW Metroplex. We will have a live and informative panel discussion from top DFW employers about effective diversity programs and strategies in recruitment. In this fun and interactive session, you will not only learn how to maximize the strength of your diverse workforce but also hear best practices that will help you develop solid tactics to better your organization. This event will also allow you valuable networking opportunities with other DFW human resource / recruiting professionals and the chance to participate in a Silent Auction (benefiting the SHRM Foundation).
TIME
Welcome 3:30 p.m. - Panel Discussion 4:00 p.m. -
Cocktail Reception 5:15 p.m.
Silent Auction begins 3:30 p.m. - Silent Auction closes 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Silent Auction re-opens for final bids 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. Winners announced 6:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION
Visit www.dfwsma.org for registration details
Pre-registered cost per person:
$20 DFW SMA, Mid Cities, NAAAHR members
$25 SHRM members
$30 non-members
Event day registration: add $5
Includes complementary hors d'oeuvres and 1 drink ticket.
HOTEL PARKING
$12 self parking - $20 valet
PANELISTS
Cynthia Allison, VP of HR for Tuesday Morning
Ms. Cynthia Allison is a seasoned Human Resources executive whose professional experience spans such industries as banking, high-tech, non-profit, and retail. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Human Relations and Business.
Ms. Allison’s numerous corporate contributions stand in the shadow of her community service where she has served in varying capacities: as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross for seven years, and as The American Red Cross National HR Instructor teaching numerous courses in Diversity and Human Resource Management.
In addition to addressing several national and state conferences for The National Conference of Volunteering and Service, The Texas State Conference of ARC, and The National Conference of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (M.A.D.D.), Ms. Allison also served as a volunteer on the Education Task Force, Legislative Committee, and Executive Committee of the Parent Teachers Association for The Richardson Independent School District. In her spare time Ms. Allison has served as a youth and adult educator for over three decades. She is an avid reader and gourmet cook.
Ms. Allison’s passion, however, is working with young people, and more pointedly young men. Her natural ability to mine an individual’s talents and strengths, combined with her genuine care of others, allow Ms. Allison to touch each person individually with words that encourage and inspire them to go above and beyond their own dreams. Young individuals are drawn by her approachability and her ability to transcend the boundaries of ethnicity and culture. Her open-mindedness and her uncanny ability to view a situation through the other person’s perspective have helped countless young men and women evolve to their full potential in life.
Dresdene Flynn-White, Vice-President & Chief Diversity Officer for John Peter Smith Health Network
Ms. Dresdene Flynn-White is no stranger to success as both a business owner and a strategic business partner in the corporate world…first as an administrator in higher education, then on to a fifteen year healthcare career with Kaiser Permanente. Leaving a lucrative career in corporate human resources and consulting, she started on her five year entrepreneurial journey as a business coach, advising and supporting small business owners. Dresdene returned to corporate human resources as Vice President for Human Resources at JPS in 2010. She assumed the role of the network’s first Diversity Officer in January 2012. In this capacity she is responsible for the execution of the Hospital District’s Diversity strategies relating to the provision of culturally competent care for patients, the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce and an expansion of engagement with M/WBE VENDORS.Dresdene is an experienced executive, coach and consultant. A solution-oriented and innovative pioneer with a solid record of accomplishments developed through the implementation of many organizational “firsts”. A strategic business partner knowledgeable in the execution of efficient organizational transitions. Skilled as a change agent, Dresdene is experienced in maintaining operational performance as well as financial and service results.
Dresdene is unique, having experienced both corporate operational and business ownership roles. She is a credentialed manager responsible for establishing, consolidating and realigning critical business areas (quality, utilization and risk management and performance reporting) to enable the initiation of new systems, definition of new business processes and responses to litigation and regulatory compliance issues.
A native New Yorker who has lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and Texas, Dresdene has interacted with the business environment across this country in the areas of education and healthcare and has served a diversity of populations and perspectives. She is and has been involved in a variety of community and professional organizations, Georgia 100, Society for Human Resources Management, and Governor George W. Bush’s Council on Healthcare Information, to name a few. Dresdene has been the recipient of numerous awards including the 2002 President’s Award for Women of Color in Health, Science and Technology, and numerous leadership awards. She was awarded Action’s 2006 Business Woman of the Year and was a 2006 Stevie Award finalist for Mentor of the Year. She received a BA in Sociology from Lincoln University and a Master’s from Columbia University in Adult & Higher Education.
Kathryn Parsons, Chief Program Officer of LaunchAbility
Ms. Kathryn Parsons joined the LaunchAbility team in January 2010 and brings to the table extensive involvement in the special needs community, a commitment to social change, and a passion for innovation that has greatly enhanced the agency’s Adult Employment programs. A former investment broker, Kathryn brings more than a decade of experience in leadership and business strategy to the LaunchAbility team.
As one of the co-founders of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) and a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, she knows first-hand the challenges of the special needs landscape. As a consultant and certified coach, Kathryn has worked for the public school system to facilitate parents and teachers reaching resolution on education plans for students and avoid legal complications.
Kathryn's extensive involvement in the for-profit and non-profit secotrs as both Consultant and Board member has made her a sought after business and leadership consultant. Prior to joing the agency, Kathry was VP of Core Clarity, Inc, and the founder of Boonzee.com - a social netowrking platform for the specail needs community. Her approach at LaunchAbility is to bridge a connection between business strategy and social ideals through sales, innovation and best practices. Now as Chief Program Officer, Kathryn is responsible for oversight for all the programs for the agency which includes the fourth largest Early Childhood Intervention Program for the state of Texas. She serves as a Trustee on the Dallas Mayor’s Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities and serves on the marketing committee for the national APSE (Association for Persons in Supported Employment). Kathryn has a Master's in Conflict Management from SMU and is an alum of Leadership Edmond and Leadership Texas.
David Buggs, Chief Diversity Officer at FedEx Office
Mr. David Buggs is the Diversity Officer for FedEx Office and Print Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of FedEx Corporation. His role is developing and managing the execution of FedEx Office’s Corporate Diversity strategy. The strategic focuses include Workforce Diversity, Supplier Diversity, Emerging Markets and Sells Diversity, and Urban Community Outreach.
Prior to FedEx Office, David was the Supplier Diversity manager for Sabre Holdings, a travel merchandising and information technology solutions provider for most major airlines worldwide.
Since arriving at what was then FedEx Kinko’s, now FedEx Office, in August of 2005, David has accomplished several goals. He initiated a system wide Corporate Diversity analysis, a team member mentoring program and annual Diversity goals for Officers. David has also added a diversity and inclusion presentation to new members orientations, quarterly diversity forums, a Supplier Diversity Steering committee, as well as, quarterly diversity matrix updates for Sr. Officers.
David is the past Chair of the DFW Minority Business Development Councils Supplier Diversity Professional Committee, and past member of the Arlington Convention and Visitors board of Directors. He is a board member of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce Advisory Council, a member of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber’s board of Directors. Chairman of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber’s Corporate Advisory Committee, Chair person for the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber’s VIVA Dallas Expo and a member of the strategy team for the Women’s Business Council Southwest.
David received his undergraduate degree in marketing from Southern University, Baton Rouge Louisiana, and his M.B.A. from Baylor University, Waco Texas. David has been married for over 25 years to his college, sweetheart Terri and has two boys, Charles 18, and Clayton 11.
