Inclusion Symposium

AGENDA | SESSIONS | SPEAKER BIOS | SPONSORS

Wednesday, May 21

ACCA Shrine Center | 1712 Bellevue Ave | Richmond

The 2025 Richmond SHRM Inclusion Symposium will center around reimagining Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) in a rapidly evolving world. This year’s theme invites attendees to challenge traditional frameworks, embrace innovative strategies, and develop actionable solutions to navigate the complexities of a global workforce. Together, we’ll explore how rethinking IDEA can drive meaningful change, foster resilience, and create workplaces where individuals and organizations can thrive.

Abstract

As the workplace evolves amidst societal, economic, and technological shifts, the IDEA landscape demands a bold reimagination. The 2025 Inclusion Symposium brings together industry leaders, changemakers, and HR professionals to explore how driving innovative IDEA strategies can help organizations navigate complexity and create a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. Through thought-provoking keynotes, practical breakout sessions, and interactive discussions, this year’s symposium will provide actionable insights to empower attendees to lead transformative change in their organizations.

Learning Objectives

Understand Innovative IDEA Frameworks: Explore forward-thinking approaches to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility that address the complexities of modern workplaces and align with organizational goals.
Develop Strategic Change Leadership Skills: Learn how to leverage IDEA initiatives to drive organizational resilience, foster collaboration, and navigate challenges in a rapidly changing environment.
Apply Practical Tools for Thriving in Complexity: Gain hands-on experience with actionable strategies and tools to create impactful IDEA programs that promote thriving, engaged, and inclusive workplaces.

Agenda

8:00 – 8:45 am	Registration / Breakfast / Networking
8:45 – 9:00 am	Welcome and Announcements
9:00 – 9:15 am	Level Setting: Navigating the Evolving Legal Landscape of IDEA Implications and Its Implications for Employers Faith Alejandro – Sands Anderson
9:15 – 10:35 am	Building Bridges, Not Barriers: DEI at a Crossroads Matthew Freeman - Dialectix
10:35 – 10:50 am	Break / Exhibit Hall
10:50 am – 12:10 pm	Leading with Trust and Courage: Strengthening Allyship and Strategy in High-Stakes Moments Nichelle Wash - Seramount
12:10 – 1:00 pm	Lunch / Exhibit Hall / SHRM Update
1:00 – 1:15 pm	Welcome Back / Impact Award Presentation
1:15 – 2:20 pm	Reimagining Impact: Real Stories & Strategies from IDEA Leaders Moderator – Steph Beck, CarMax Panelists – Ebony Wilkins, HHHunt; Tishania Gist, Atlantic Union Bank; Austin Farrell, Altria
2:20 – 2:40 pm	Snack Break / Exhibit Hall
2:40 – 3:30 pm	IDEA Roundtables: Quick Connect Best Practice Exchange
3:30 – 3:40 pm	Break
3:40 – 5:00 pm	Finding Reconnection as an HR Leader Candace Nicolls - Envoy
5:00 pm	Wrap Up

Sessions

Level Setting: Navigating the Evolving Legal Landscape of IDEA and Its Implications for Employers

Faith Alejandro
Shareholder
Sands Anderson
About Faith

As laws and regulations surrounding Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) continue to shift, it’s essential for HR professionals and business leaders to stay informed and proactive. This foundational session will provide a clear, accessible overview of the evolving legal landscape shaping IDEA initiatives today. You’ll gain insight into what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how those changes could directly affect your organization.

From compliance to strategic planning, we’ll explore key legal developments and their real-world implications for workplace policies, practices, and culture. This session will also prepare you to engage meaningfully throughout the day—arming you with the context and clarity needed to make the most of the symposium’s discussions and tools for lasting impact.

Learning Objectives:

Gain a clear understanding of the evolving legal frameworks surrounding IDEA.
Identify what has changed since the new federal administration, what remains constant, and how these shifts impact your organization.
Uncover the key practical implications. Identify areas that demand closer attention and explore strategies to address emerging challenges effectively.

Building Bridges, Not Barriers: DEI at a Crossroads

Matthew Freeman
Founder
Dialectix Consulting
About Matthew

Workplaces are navigating a pivotal moment when it comes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Once widely embraced, DEI efforts now face increased scrutiny, resistance, and even restrictions in some organizations. In this shifting landscape, how can we continue to build inclusive workplaces while addressing concerns in a way that encourages engagement rather than division?

This session will explore how to foster a culture where all employees feel valued and supported, even in the face of resistance. Through practical strategies and actionable techniques, participants will learn how to communicate the importance of inclusion in ways that resonate across different perspectives and organizational climates.

Participants will gain tools to:

Understand the root causes of resistance to DEI initiatives.
Develop language and approaches that encourage engagement and minimize defensiveness.
Communicate the value of inclusion and belonging in a way that resonates with diverse stakeholders.
Build strategies to sustain inclusive efforts while adapting to evolving workplace realities.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the challenges and shifting perceptions of DEI in today’s workplace.
Identify language and messaging that fosters understanding and buy-in.
Construct a concise, inclusive message that effectively communicates the value of DEI.
Develop strategies for overcoming resistance and sustaining progress toward inclusive workplaces.

Leading with Trust and Courage: Strengthening Allyship and Strategy in High-Stakes Moments

Nichelle Wash
Director, Advisory
Seramount
About Nichelle

In today's charged workplace climate, navigating DEI with clarity, compassion, and courage is more important than ever. This highly interactive session is designed to equip leaders and change agents with the tools to foster high-trust environments, regulate emotional responses, and practice effective allyship - especially when the stakes are high.

Participants will engage in real-time scenario work and guided reflection to explore how trust is built - or broken - in moments of tension. We'll dive into the emotional intelligence required to stay grounded under pressure and use the 3R's - Reframe, Rewrite, and Reconfigure - as a framework to de-risk current strategies and shift from reactive to responsive.

Whether you're leading a team, advising on DEI strategy or advocating for inclusive systems, this session will help you build the resilience and relational trust needed to drive change with boldness and care.

Learning Objectives

Define high trust and identify behaviors and conditions that support or erode trust within teams and organizations.
Apply emotional regulations strategies to maintain clarity, compassion, and control during high-stakes conversations.
Practice allyship behaviors that reduce harm, deepen trust, and increase relational equity across differences.
Use the 3R Framework - Reframe, Rewrite, Reconfigure - to assess and de-risk current DEI strategies under scrutiny or resistance.

Reimagining Impact: Real Stories & Strategies from IDEA Leaders

Moderator

Stephanie Beck, MHRM, SHRM-CP
Diversity & Inclusion Manager
CarMax
About Stephanie

Panelists

Tishania M. Gist
Vice President, Mgr. of DEIB & Culture Engagement
Atlantic Union Bank
About Tishania

Austin Farrell
Manager of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity
Altria
About Austin

Ebony Wilkins, SHRM-SCP
Human Resources Business Partner and DEIB Leader
HHHunt
About Ebony

In a year marked by rapid change and new societal, economic, and governmental influences, how are IDEA professionals adapting—and leading? This powerful panel features HR, DEIB, and business leaders sharing firsthand how they and their organizations have navigated the shifting landscape of 2025.

Panelists will share actionable ideas, innovative best practices, and candid reflections on what it takes to sustain meaningful Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) work in today’s complex world. From rethinking strategy to driving cultural change, you’ll hear real stories of resilience, progress, and transformation.

Whether you're building IDEA momentum or recalibrating your approach, this session offers timely insights and peer-driven strategies you can take back to your organization.

Learning Objectives

Analyze how emerging societal, economic, and regulatory trends in 2025 are shaping Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) strategies across organizations.
Identify innovative practices and leadership approaches used by HR and business leaders to sustain and adapt IDEA efforts in times of complexity and change.
Apply peer-driven insights and practical examples to recalibrate or accelerate IDEA initiatives within your own organizational context.

IDEA Roundtables: Quick Connect Best Practice Exchange

This interactive session is designed to foster meaningful dialogue and peer-to-peer learning around key Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) topics. Participants will choose two topics from a curated list of timely and relevant IDEA focus areas, each hosted at designated tables with an experienced facilitator to guide the conversation.

Each round will include a time-limited best practice exchange, allowing participants to share strategies, successes, and challenges with fellow professionals. This dynamic format offers a unique opportunity to gather practical insights and actionable ideas to bring back to your workplace. Come ready to listen, contribute, and walk away inspired.

Finding Reconnection as an HR Leader

Candace Nicolls
Director
Envoy
About Candace

It's not lost on anyone that the last several years - and last several months- have been some of the toughest HR professionals have ever faced. All too often, HR leaders have been tasked with bearing some of the biggest emotional burdens in their organizations, and are left wondering "who's taking care of me?"

HR can be isolating, and being a leader can be a lonely place. In this conversation, we'll walk through what isolation is, how it shows up for leaders at work, and give you some tools to help rebuild that all-important connection to yourself so you can build strong connections to those around you.

You'll walk away armed with data about why we feel more isolated than ever, why connection starts with you, and tools and techniques designed to help you build connection with yourself and those around you.

Learning Objectives:

Understand what loneliness and isolation actually are: There are many kinds of isolation, and loneliness doesn’t just happen when you’re alone. Learn about what isolation and loneliness actually are, and how they impact people.
Understand the macro factors contributing to the epidemic of isolation: Learn about how we got to this point, and why this topic is more urgent than ever.
Understand how loneliness impacts executive performance: Learn about why leaders, especially leaders of functions like HR, may be more at risk of loneliness than they might realize.
Understand how leadership isolation can impact an organization: Through data and real-life examples, learn the risks of leadership isolation within an organization.
Develop strategies to break the cycle of loneliness to reconnect to yourself: Walk away with tangible tools you can use to reground yourself.

Registration

Groups of five or more are eligible for a 10% discount on Symposium registration fees. Contact Townley Goldsmith-Ray at tgoldsmith-ray@richmondshrm.org for more information.