2020 Keynote Speakers & Guests
Odell A. Bizzell II (Keynote Speaker)
Odell A. Bizzell II knows how to teach leaders the skills to thrive in a diverse workforce. Since 2008 he’s been a professional speaker and written multiple books on leadership and diversity. He’s been featured in the USA Today, Yahoo Finance, CNBC.com, and multiple media outlets about his expertise. He’s given over 300 live presentations in his career and has served the US Military and over 240 associations and organizations.
Ivan Canada (Guest Interview)
Ivan Canada is currently serving as executive director of NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad, and before his recent appointment, he served as Senior Director of Development, Communications and Strategic Partnerships. NCCJ is a human relations organization that promotes understanding and respect among all cultures, races, and religions through advocacy, education, and dialogue. Prior to joining the NCCJ staff in 2014, he worked with Guilford Green Foundation as Executive Director and Director of Special Projects. Ivan is a leader in the Triad community and has been awarded the Triad Business Journal’s “Forty Leaders Under 40 Award”, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce’s “Change Agent Award” and most recently has been recognized by Latino Community Coalition of Guilford County with a “Corazón Latino Award” (Latino Heart), which recognizes non-Latino community members, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that have consistently served as an ally to the Latinx community. Ivan is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Journalism and Mass Communication.
Jada Monica Drew(Host & Keynote Speaker)
Jada Monica Drew is the CEO of Social Designs, a leadership and diversity firm. Social Designs is the host company and program developer for the cross-industry annual Bloom Inclusion Conference. Jada has a master’s degree from Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree from Guilford College. Jada is a True Colors International and Intercultural Development Inventory certified trainer. She is also the author of three books, Revolutionize Now, More Than Enough, Sharpen Your Inclusion Edge. She volunteers with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greensboro. Jada was recognized as a United Nations DPINGO speaker in 2015 and featured in Made in Greensboro. She has delivered keynotes and talks about leadership and diversity for leaders in banking, education, non-profit, and government industries.
Annie Von Essen (Keynote Speaker)
Annie Von Essen is a strategic and organizational development consultant, executive coach, and social worker. Annie is the founder of Vessel Strategy & Consulting, where she helps leaders and teams gain clarity, work collaboratively, and discover a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and joy. Vessel’s consulting work supports small businesses and organizations to build engaged teams, efficient systems, practical strategy, and more equitable & inclusive cultures, so they can implement powerful community change. She holds an MSW and an MPA from University of Washington’s School of Social Work and Evan’s School of Public Affairs. She serves on the board of Arts Corps in Seattle, Wa and was a part of the national youth facilitation team with the White Privilege Conference for five years, an annual anti-racism conference. For more about Annie visit: https://www.annievonessen.com/about-me/
Chief Brian James (Guest Interview)
Chief Brian James joined the Greensboro Police Department on February 16, 1996, serving in various roles with the department, including Police Neighborhood Resource Center, Criminal Investigations Division, Training Division, Resource Management Division, and the Bureau Commander of the Support Bureau, Investigative Bureau and the Patrol Bureau. James is also involved in numerous community engagement roles, such as chair of United Way’s African American Leadership cabinet, board chair of the Malachi House and vice chair of Guilford Child Development. The Greensboro native is a graduate of Page High School, holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from North Carolina A&T State University and an MBA from Pfeiffer University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Administrative Officer’s Management program at NC State University and the Senior Management Institute for Police. Chief James is happily married with three beautiful daughters. He’s a mentor in the African American Male Initiative and is the chair of the United Way’s African American Leadership Initiative.
Stephanie Keaney (Keynote Speaker)
For over 20 years, Stephanie Keaney has been a leader among her peers in K-12 education. Currently, she is the Director of Operations and Professional Development for the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools. Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, she earned her BS in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University and is completing her Masters in Business Administration at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Stephanie’s most recent accomplishment was planning and executing a robust continuing education program for educators nationwide in response to the changing educational landscape in the aftermath of COVID-19. When not keeping busy at work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her two almost-grown children and playing tennis with her husband.
Jennifer King (Guest Interview)
Following a successful 12 year college basketball coaching career which included a National Championship and National Coach of the Year honors in 2017, King decided to step away from basketball to coach football full time. After attending the 2018 NFL Women in Football Forum, she obtained an internship with the Carolina Panthers where she worked consecutive off-seasons and preseasons with the wide receivers and running backs. King was the Assistant Wide Receivers Coach for the Arizona Hotshots in the Alliance of American Football and worked the 2019 season at Dartmouth College where she worked with the wide receivers and assisted with offensive quality control for the 2019 Ivy League Champions. In February of 2020, King was named Offensive Assistant with the Washington NFL franchise, becoming the first black female full time coach in NFL history. Her duties include working with the running backs and assisting with offensive quality control. King has also played women’s tackle football for 13 years as a quarterback, wide receiver and safety for the Carolina Phoenix, N.Y. Sharks and D.C. Divas. She has been named All American on 7 occasions and has won 2 National Championships.
Wesley Morris (Keynote Speaker)
Wesley Morris is a dedicated coach, facilitator, community organizer, minister and internationally recognized thought leader who uses his dynamic speaking talents to inspire all who have the opportunity to hear his voice. His work for more than a decade with the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, home of the nation’s first “Community Truth and Reconciliation Process” uniquely positions him to guide those interested in intergenerational learning, historical archiving and community organizing. His work with international travel projects in countries such as Cuba, Barbados and Brazil, have opened cultural and spiritual pathways for communities that would otherwise not have the opportunity or access to such rich experiences. Over the course of his career, he has continuously proven himself to be a catalyst for positive change in the community by helping people from diverse backgrounds embrace forgiveness and peace. Wesley is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and Union Theological Seminary (NYC). In high-pressure situations he pulls from his formal training and practical experience to unlock clarity for those who are seeking to change the world we live in. Mr. Morris is the Senior Pastor of Faith Community Church. When asked about his call to ministry, Wesley emphatically says, “I am here to drive strategic community building and influence transformative justice movements for all people.” Also, as a member of the DreamCatchers network, he uses his experiences to build those who are seeking to adjust or reinvent their self-identity. In his free time he enjoys traveling, reading, writing, playing basketball, watching live sporting events.
Mildred Otero (Guest Interview)
Mildred Otero is the Senior Vice President for National Impact at Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE). In this role, she leads four national teams committed to developing the leadership skills of LEE members to pursue leadership opportunities in advocacy, elected, organizing and policy that empower them to end educational inequities in the United States. Prior to joining LEE, Mildred served as the Chief Education Counsel in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where she managed the Senate Majority’s education agenda and its policy development and strategies for children from cradle to career. Such efforts included, legislation addressing early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, higher education and adult education. Previously, Mildred served as a senior policy officer with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; senior advisor at the United States Department of State/United States Agency for International Development; senior policy advisor to then Senator Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Reed (D-RI) in the US Senate and as Deputy Director for Early Childhood at the Children’s Defense Fund. Before her work in Washington, D.C., Mildred was a counselor for child victims of sexual and physical abuse at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and began her career as a legislative aide to the New York State Assembly Speaker in Albany, NY. Mildred earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York- Albany and a Master’s degree from New York University, Silver School of Social Work. Mildred also currently serves as a board member of the national non-profit Complete College America, an advisory board member for Communities In Schools and as a fellow in the seventeenth cohort of the Aspen-Pahara Education Fellowship.
Eric Polite (Keynote Speaker)
Eric is a skilled learning facilitator, performance consultant, and systems coach with more than 20 years of experience working to uncover and unleash the inherent potential residing in all people, teams, and organizations. His deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion fuels his unique approach to helping organizations grow their conscious leadership capabilities and create the conditions for people to – individually and collectively – do their best work. Eric employs his passion for transformative change through leadership development, training, and strategic integration solutions. He is a trusted advisor to aspiring, emerging, and experienced leaders, most notably those working in today’s complex, dynamic environments to build high-performing diverse teams, design inclusive cultures, and create a tomorrow with thriving people and outrageous results. Coaching is the heart of what Eric does. The coaching process focuses on measurable outcomes and joint commitments. From individuals to organizations, he guides transformational learning through best practices, evidence-based methods, and a wealth of professional and practical knowledge about human performance and systems change. Eric received his Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University and pursued graduate studies at the University of Maryland at College Park and Case Western Reserve University. He is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), accredited Six Seconds EQ Consultant, Predictive Index Certified Partner, High Performance Learning Journey® (HPLJ) designer, John Mattone Intelligent Leadership Coach, and Leadership Circle Certified Practitioner. Eric is currently enrolled in the ORSC™ Coaching Certification Program.
Natalie Sanders (Keynote Speaker)
Natalie Sanders provides counsel and defense to businesses in all aspects of the employment relationship. Her 24 years of experience as an attorney, operations manager, entrepreneur, and community volunteer allow her to relate well to management and provide nuanced guidance in complex matters. Natalie received her bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University and her law degree from Duke University School of Law.
Salima Thomas (Keynote Speaker)
Salima Thomas is an award-winning leader, strategist, speaker, and trainer with a passion for systems-thinking and meaningfully engaging communities. She grew up in the Triangle area with roots in the "Big Apple" of New York. Salima has spent over fifteen years of her professional career serving the public sector including nonprofits, government, and faith-based organizations. Salima exemplifies her passion and commitment to organizational capacity building that leaves a positive impact on people and communities. She is a diligent advocate for equity and inclusion. She uses her platform to champion causes that excite her including leadership development, health & wellness, and the performing arts and culture. Salima has served on boards and committees throughout the state and nationally. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In addition, Salima has been recognized with awards such as the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Leadership Award and the Association Executives of North Carolina’s Rising Star. A Spartan and Forty-Niner alumnae, Salima received her bachelor’s in music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and master’s in public administration with dual concentrations in arts administration and nonprofit management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In her free time, she enjoys the arts, traveling to new places, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends. For more information about Salima, visit www.salimathomas.com.
Carley Swaim Walker (Keynote Speaker)
Non-profit professional, community advocate and volunteer Carley Swaim Walker is a native of Greensboro, NC. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Organizational Communication as well as her master’s in Non-profit Management within the Political Science department. Carley started her career in the non-profit sector at the Children’s Home Society of NC as a Development Officer and Special Events Coordinator; she later advanced her development career at the United Way of Greater Greensboro as a Leadership Giving Manager. Mrs. Swaim Walker managed 2 of the 3 engagement groups: Women’s Leadership and Young Leaders; both groups grew by more than 100% under her leadership. Carley most recently was the Director of Development & Communications at Bell House where she opened their first development office and led the We Are Able Capital Campaign raising $3.2 million. Carley is celebrating 8 years in the role of Executive Director of The Volunteer Center and has grown the organization as the number of volunteers mobilized throughout the Triad reached 120,000; a record. Under Carley's leadership The Volunteer Center has been coined as a leading convener in the Triad; bringing volunteers, businesses, civic groups, corporations and non-profits together around a common goal: to serve our community. The organization is currently undergoing a rebrand with updated logos, messaging, a larger community reach and new and innovative events and programming. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring all things North Carolina has to offer from the beaches to the mountains to downtown Greensboro with her #WalkerPartyof3 that includes herself, husband Brian and 2-year-old daughter Brielend (Breezy).
Josie Williams (Keynote Speaker)
Josie Williams is the Executive Director for the Greensboro Housing Coalition (GHC), a leading housing advocacy nonprofit in Greensboro, NC. Josie joined GHC in 2016 as Director of Community Engagement for the community-centered health partnership Collaborative Cottage Grove. She quickly distinguished herself as a compassionate, strategic leader and aimed to work with residents and a cross-sector collective of organizations to create a positive sustainable impact in underserved communities. She is a Greensboro native and developed her passion for community and addressing social determinants of health from personal experience with housing insecurity. Prior to working at the Greensboro Housing Coalition, she worked for the United Planning Organization in Washington, DC as an Advocacy Specialist. Currently, Josie is working towards completing a Master’s in Public Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Williams has been honored for her work with a number of awards and recognition, among them the 2019 Sojourner Truth Award, which is the Greensboro Club of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club’s (NANBPWC) highest Recognition, and is given to a woman whose life parallels the life and qualities of Sojourner Truth; the 2018 National Grassroots Policy and Community Engagement Award from Communities Joined in Action; and the 2016 Justice and Policy Studies Community Service Award from the Justice and Policy Department at Guilford College. She is also the State Chair of the Cooperative Extension at NC A & T State University’s Strategic Planning Council and has recently been appointed as a member of the NC Institute of Medicine, a distinguished group of more than 150 health and policy leaders in North Carolina. Josie is skilled at building bridges of communication and engaging community members, nonprofit, government and health system organizations in developing equitable strategies and solutions to address social drivers of health.
Laura Way (Guest Interview)
ArtsGreensboro is led by Laura Way as its President + CEO with over 20 years of non-profit management experience and a finely-tuned set of skills and expertise in relationship building, accounting, art management, brand management, budgeting, directing, event management, financial management, fundraising, grant writing, human resources, leadership, communication & marketing, materials management, personnel management, policy analysis, board development, and strategic planning. Laura has a hands-on approach to management, while always strategic, she expects and welcomes to be held accountable for all aspects of ArtsGreensboro's operations and public interface. Before coming to ArtsGreensboro, Laura was the executive director at GreenHill Center for NC Art for almost a decade. She started her career in the arts as the Director of Operations and Finance at Penland School of Crafts, arriving in the mountains of NC in 2000. Prior to that, she worked in higher education in the arena of basic science research, where she served as the CFO of Lankenau Medical Research Institute, Director of Research Support at MCP Hahnemann University. Laura has her MBA in accounting from Syracuse University and a Bachelor's of Arts in Economics from LeMoyne College.