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Diversity-Driven Marketing Symposium

Online | Free | Noon - 3 p.m. ET

FREE Virtual Event hosted by AMA Professional Chapters Council

The “Diversity-Driven Marketing Symposium” champions the full integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) in marketing practices, emphasizing the theme “Marketing for All.”

This half-day virtual symposium is designed by marketers for marketers to help you integrate high-performing DEIA strategies into your marketing so you can positively impact your teams, organization and customers.

Cross-industry experts will share their insights on critical issues directly affecting marketing teams in four engaging sessions on how artificial intelligence and Affirmative Action influence inclusive marketing strategies and workplace diversity. The sessions will also tackle the importance of cultural intelligence in shaping resonant brand strategies and the role of supplier diversity in enriching the marketing landscape with diverse perspectives.

Please note: Captions will be on and available in all sessions. All sessions will be available on-demand for 6 months.


Are you an AMA Professional Certified Marketer®️? This training is worth 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain your PCM®️ certification.


Meet the Team

Alycia Campbell

AMA Colorado

Justin Clark

AMA San Antonio

Kendra Clarke

AMA New Jersey

Reggie Hicks

AMA NE Wisconsin

Karen McFarlane

AMA New York

Ty’ya Pettis

AMA New Jersey

Andrea Smith

AMA DC

Destine Tucker

Puget Sound

FEBRUARY 28, 2024 | NOON - 3 P.M. (ET)

Opening Remarks

The (un)Intended Consequences of the Affirmative Action Ruling in the Workplace

How can Corporate America continue to build diverse pipelines despite the Supreme Court ruling?

In 1965, Affirmative Action policies were established as a cornerstone of American civil rights, aiming to eliminate employment discrimination and guarantee equal opportunities regardless of race, sex, gender, religion, national origin, or disability. The Supreme Court’s 2003 decision further extended these principles, permitting educational institutions to consider race in admissions. However, twenty years later, the Supreme Court reversed its decision, compelling colleges and corporations to rethink (or eliminate) their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices.

Join our distinguished panel of experts who will offer insightful perspectives on:

  • The Broader Implications: This segment explores the downstream effects of the Supreme Court’s decision on diversifying professional environments. We’ll examine how this ruling could reshape the future of corporate and societal advancement, focusing on the integral role of diversity in fostering innovation and growth.
  • Impact on Students of Color: This critical discussion centers on the specific challenges and consequences faced by students of color in the workplace. We’ll delve into the perceived impact and how students can create opportunities to ensure they can develop prosperous long-term careers and maintain their overall mental well-being.
  • Strategies for Hiring Managers and Organizations: In this solution-focused segment, we’ll provide practical insights for hiring managers and organizational leaders. Learn how to effectively build and maintain diverse talent pipelines and champion DEI initiatives within various professional disciplines and organizational structures, ensuring a commitment to inclusivity and equity remains strong despite the changing legal landscape. 

This session is an essential platform for marketers, educators, corporate leaders, HR professionals, and anyone committed to understanding and navigating the evolving dynamics of Affirmative Action and DEI in the wake of this significant judicial shift.

Kendra Clarke

AMA Professional Chapters Council

Brittany S. Hale

BND Consulting

Ty'ya Givens Pettis

Rutgers University

Stephanie Robertson

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

Miguel Valentin

Momentum and Value for People of Color

Community Spotlight by Destine Tucker, VP of DEI, AMA Puget Sound

Destine Tucker

AMA Puget Sound

Decoding AI Bias in Marketing

How Marketing teams can leverage AI responsibly and ethically.

In marketing, creativity and imagery play a pivotal role in connecting with audiences through visual representation. Yet, for so long, an exclusion loop has pervaded our society, creating a societal gap that has yet to be remedied. This exclusion loop is being exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that aren’t leading with inclusion in mind. While AI proves to be a promising technology that will only grow in capability and usage, it will also have a substantial effect on the very people it seeks to empower. So, if the tech that you are using is not inclusive, how can ensure that you are building authentic connections with your customers?

Join the visionary founders of PocStock, who are intentionally forging a union between imagery AI, all with the overarching goal of empowering marketers to harness AI responsibly and ethically when connecting with their diverse audiences. Together, we will answer three questions:

  1. What are the table stakes for marketers using AI tools as it pertains to DEIA?
  2. What are the repercussions of AI bias in marketing, and how can it be mitigated?
  3. What is the most responsible and ethical way to leverage AI for marketing efforts?

This engaging discussion promises to shed light on the intersection of creativity, imagery, and AI in the marketing landscape and lead marketers on a path toward more inclusive, ethical, and effective marketing practices.

DeSean Brown

pocstock

Steve Jones

pocstock

Karen McFarlane

AMA Professional Chapters Council

Community Spotlight by Andrea Smith, Immediate Past President, AMA Washington DC

Andrea Smith

AMA Washington DC

Becoming a Culturally Intelligent Marketer

Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel

Author of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers

Ty'ya Givens Pettis

Rutgers University

Community Spotlight by Vanessa Torres, President, AMA Professional Chapters Council

Vanessa Torres

AMA Professional Chapters Council

Strategies for Unlocking Supplier Diversity in Marketing

How marketers can incrementally deliver on their DEI goals by leveraging their vendors.

In the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, embracing supplier diversity has emerged as a paramount objective for organizations striving to make a lasting impact. “Strategies for Unlocking Supplier Diversity in Marketing” explores the power and influence marketing can have on advancing economic vitality through supplier diversity efforts.

Hosted by a cross-functional panel of experts in marketing, procurement, and supplier diversity programs, this webinar will unravel key insights, strategies, and thought-provoking discussions about:

  • Recognizing Marketing’s Role: Explore the pivotal role that marketing plays in creating equity within the supplier ecosystem and gain meaningful insights into how marketing’s influence extends across branding, creativity, campaigns, PR, and customer experiences when curating a diverse supplier pool.
  • The Three Phases of Impact: We’ll take a closer look at the three fundamental phases of supplier interaction: identification, engagement, and amplification. Discover how marketers can proactively create opportunities for diverse suppliers and passionately advocate for their inclusion throughout this intricate process.
  • Collaborations for Success: Delve into the significance of forging strong partnerships between marketing teams and key stakeholders, such as Chief Diversity Officers and Chief Procurement Officers, and why this level of collaboration is pivotal not only for achieving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) goals but also for aligning with broader corporate objectives, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG).

This session is tailored for marketing leaders, Chief Diversity Officers, procurement leaders, and all individuals entrusted with critical decisions regarding supplier selection. Our aim is for attendees to leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the marketing supplier landscape and be equipped with practical strategies to drive meaningful change within their teams and organizations.

Henrietta Akpata

Medidata Solutions

Ashlan Glazier-Anderson

AshbeanPDX Marketing

Kanetra Hights

C.H. Guenther & Son

Karen McFarlane

AMA Professional Chapters Council

Kevin Williams

CEO and Co-Founder of TekConnX, and Chairman of the Board for the National Minority Emerging & Innovative Technologies Consortium (NMEITC)

Closing Remarks

Alycia Campbell

AMA Colorado

Reggie Hicks

AMA Northeast Wisconsin

Henrietta Akpata

Medidata Solutions

Henrietta Akpata boasts a distinguished career in product management, marketing, and growth leadership. Currently, she leverages her expertise as Senior Director of Product Growth & Offering Management at Medidata Solutions, a Dassault Systemes Company. Previously, she held executive positions at New England Fancy Food and Sprinklr Social, driving market expansion and go-to-market strategies. For 15 years, she honed her skills at IBM, leading product marketing initiatives for AI-powered solutions, cloud computing, and software offerings. Notably, she co-founded New England Fancy Food, demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. Henrietta holds degrees from UCLA Anderson and USC Viterbi, and actively contributes to the community through her board position at Hudson Valley Credit Union.

DeSean Brown

pocstock

Co-founder/Chief Relationship Officer, pocstock

Alycia Campbell

AMA Colorado

Kendra Clarke

AMA Professional Chapters Council

Kendra Clarke is a marketer at heart and in practice. Her passion for marketing and communication stems from the desire to create meaningful connections with people through effective and impactful exchanges of ideas. Through her role as a Senior Content Strategist at Rutgers Business School, Kendra uses a combination of storytelling, persona development, creative thinking, and analytics to create content strategies designed to enhance the website user experience. She is a Rutgers Business School double alumna with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and an MBA in Marketing and Supply Chain Management.

Kendra has been a member of AMA since 2018. As a volunteer, she held various positions on the board including AVP of Communications, EVP of Operations and Strategy, and VP of DEI. In July 2020, Kendra became President of the AMA New Jersey Chapter and the first female Black President in its 76-year history. During her term, she created and implemented the chapter’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, enhanced the volunteer experience and engagement, and worked with her team to produce a chapter record of 40 events for the year. The AMA New Jersey Chapter was awarded the Leadership Special Merit award, which she credits to her fantastic team’s hard work and dedication.

As a volunteer with AMA, Kendra has helped chapter leaders across the country with starting DEI initiatives in their chapters and providing guidance during challenging situations. She was a member of the original DEI Taskforce and a Co-Chair of several committees on the PCC DEI Committee. Kendra is a leader inspired by helping others grow and succeed. For her, it is truly rewarding to be able to give back and help her community in whatever way she can.

A few fun facts about Kendra are that she loves solving mysteries and puzzles, has traveled to 11 different countries, and dances amateur salsa.

Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel

Author of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers

Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel is a cultural theorist and strategist, specializing in inclusivity within marketing, media and tech. Currently a senior insights lead at Reddit, Dr. Gabriel earned her doctorate in cultural studies from Duke University and consulted for the world’s top brands at agencies such as Wieden+Kennedy, McCann, Dentsu Creative, and others. A lifelong activist, she helps brands ignite cultural innovation and leverage the power of media for good. Her insights have been featured by the ANA, Advertising Week, WSJ, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Teen Vogue. She is the author of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy (Kogan Page; March 2024).

Ashlan Glazier-Anderson

AshbeanPDX Marketing

Ashlan Glazier-Anderson is a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) with over 15 years of experience in the field. She has worked in a variety of industries, from advertising agencies to corporate America to nonprofit organizations. As the founder and CEO of AshbeanPDX Marketing, she thrives on helping clients solve problems and create unique strategies to best reach their target audience, drive revenue, and grow their businesses at scale. As an entrepreneur, she can help you build a strong marketing function, with the right systems to get more done with fewer resources.

Ashlan holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Communications from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing from Portland State University (PSU). She completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Program Evaluation with the PSU Nonprofit Institute.

Ashlan is an active volunteer and serves as a Professional Chapter Leadership Advisor for the American Marketing Association, Past President of AMA PDX, the American Marketing Association Portland chapter, and Board Secretary for the People’s Nonprofit Accelerator. Through these organizations, she continues to increase her knowledge, strengthen her leadership skills, and expand her network to better serve her clients.

In March 2020, she was recognized for her service to the community as a Portland Trail Blazers Hometown Hero by Director’s Mortgage. She was born in Hawaii, moved to Oregon at the age of 10 and recently relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada where she lives with her husband, Jon, and their fur babies Ahri (small mixed breed dog) and Leilani (former feral cat).

Brittany S. Hale

BND Consulting

Brittany S. Hale transcends the conventional role of a founder and CEO; she stands as a visionary, catalyst for transformative change, and beacon of inspiration for leaders across diverse industries. With a background in litigation, politics, and risk management, Brittany has paved her way to founding BND Consulting Group—an embodiment of her passion and unparalleled expertise.

At BND Consulting Group, Brittany empowers senior leaders with the tools to harness values to ignite better decision-making and turn purpose into profit in today’s dynamically evolving landscape. As a trusted guide, she enables leaders to navigate intricate organizational transitions by operationalizing aspirational values. Her impact spans enterprise, government institutions, and startups alike. She has been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Essence, TechCrunch, and Fast Company for her insights into entrepreneurship and leadership.

In her capacity as CEO, Brittany has crafted impactful organizational culture strategies for numerous entities. Her strategic insights led to a 21% increase in employee retention and savings of an additional $400,000 through astute operational advisement. As Interim CEO of an entrepreneurial-focused nonprofit, Brittany achieved impressive milestones, increasing donor contributions by 16%, reducing attrition from 27% to 0% in just 14 months, and boosting research-based revenue by a substantial 41%. In Fall 2022, Brittany shared her expertise by lecturing on managing human behaviors in organizations at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies.

Reggie Hicks

AMA Northeast Wisconsin

Kanetra Hights

C.H. Guenther & Son

Kanetra Michalle Hights, also known as Kiki, is the Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for C.H. Guenther & Son. She has spent over 13 years in the field of implementing DEI programs in organizations with over 10,000 employees and is an advocate to driving success, engaging employees, ensuring that inclusion and equity are implemented in every part of the business, and creating a profitable diversity return on investment. During this time Kanetra also spent years dedicating her career to non-profits such as the National Diversity Council and Goodwill Central Texas to further increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion for underrepresented groups and creating movements for change in the community.

Currently at C.H. Guenther & Son, Kanetra oversees the DEI department including all DEI training, Employee Resource Groups, Leadership Team Advising, all International location DEI initiatives, and the Supplier Diversity Program.

Kanetra has an extensive Learning & Development background. She is a certified DDI facilitator, Diversity Professional, Diversity Facilitator with several organizations such as Korn Ferry and SDMS 360, and an Instructional Designer with courses such as Generational Differences, Leadership Skills for new and emerging leaders, and Leading Diverse Teams. Kanetra also specializes in facilitating diversity related movie and television discussion groups. Kanetra received a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Dramatic Media from Texas Lutheran University, then returned and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and is a certified teacher for 8th – 12th grade for Speech, Debate and Theatre.

Kanetra lives in San Antonio and in her spare time enjoys travelling with friends and family, going on random road trips, reading, writing, and watching football.

Steve Jones

pocstock

Founder/CEO, pocstock

Karen McFarlane

AMA Professional Chapters Council

Karen McFarlane, the founder of Kaye Media, is a seasoned chief marketing officer with over 25 years of experience. Her expertise in shaping compelling brand narratives and strategies has guided businesses toward transformative growth and market clarity. Her work spans the technology, artificial intelligence, professional services, ecommerce, education, and entertainment industries — from startups to nonprofits to Fortune 1000 companies.

Karen’s role extends beyond her fractional marketing company, as evidenced by her impactful tenure as President of the New York chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA), where she earned eight Chapter Excellence Awards and now champions equity as the Chair of DEI Innovation. Additionally, Karen serves on the Board of the Hudson Valley Credit Union, New York’s fifth-largest credit union. Her influence is also felt nationally as the President-Elect and DEI Co-Chair for the AMA’s Professional Chapters Council and through her work with Momentum and Value for People of Color, where she champions equitable opportunities for young people of color.

Recognized as a thought leader, Karen frequently speaks on inclusive marketing and conflict resolution, and her contributions to the field have earned her recognition as one of the most notable figures in marketing and PR by Crain’s Business. Karen’s commitment to advancing racial and gender equity in Corporate America is evident through her passion project, Colossal Work, underscoring her dedication to driving meaningful and sustainable change.

Ty'ya Givens Pettis

Rutgers University

Stephanie Robertson

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

Stephanie Robertson is the Assistant Dean for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She received her BA in German Language and Literature and International Comparative Studies from Duke University and her JD from Georgetown University Law Center. In 2009, Stephanie began her career in higher education and worked predominantly in admissions and graduate recruitment for business and law school. In her current role, she partners with students, staff and faculty across campus strategizing ways to create more inclusive and equitable communities within Duke University with a focus on the business school. She is dedicated to empowering individuals to be their authentic selves and active allies who support, protect and celebrate others’ identities. She is also a dedicated mental health advocate and believes that mental health is an integral part of the diversity, equity and inclusion conversation. Her ultimate goal is to destigmatize mental health challenges and give people the tools needed to effectively and safely support their peers and colleagues.

Andrea Smith

AMA Washington DC

Vanessa Torres

AMA Professional Chapters Council

Destine Tucker

AMA Puget Sound

Miguel Valentin

Momentum and Value for People of Color

Miguel Valentin is an accomplished nonprofit leader with a strong commitment to community transformation and equitable access to opportunities for underserved populations. In his role as the Executive Director at MVP – Momentum and Value for People of Color, Miguel oversees the Fellowship Program and the Talent Pipeline Program, focusing on predominantly college-aged young people of color who are first-generation college students and come from low-income backgrounds. His responsibilities encompass fundraising, setting vision, and creating partnerships with corporations and nonprofits. Miguel has facilitated professional workshops, overseen mentoring initiatives, and connected students to paid internship opportunities. With a deep commitment to driving positive change, he is passionate about creating an environment where individuals can excel, grow, and thrive, with a dedication to community well-being and a data-driven approach that enables him to lead impactful initiatives. Miguel invites you to visit mvpoc.org to learn more about MVP and explore the ways they are shaping the future of young talents.

Kevin Williams

CEO and Co-Founder of TekConnX, and Chairman of the Board for the National Minority Emerging & Innovative Technologies Consortium (NMEITC)

Kevin Williams is the CEO and Co-Founder of TekConnX, and Chairman of the Board for the National Minority Emerging & Innovative Technologies Consortium (NMEITC).

Tekconnx, is an award-winning Service-Disabled Veteran owned business that specializes in innovative and emerging SMART cities technology solutions design. Their solutions include his patented Smart Waste Management, AV Multi-Media Command and Control, Video Wall, Digital Signage, Patented Security, Gunshot Chemical & Threat Detection Solutions! 

Tekconnx designs & Integrates solutions using its patented sensor-based technologies and Artificial Intelligence and has won many awards including 2021 & 2015 Supplier of the Year, DMV Top 100 MBE in 2016 and 2017. TekConnX offices are currently located in Northern VA and Richmond VA.

The NMEITC is an organization of Best-in-Class Minority owned businesses specializing in Emerging and Innovative Technology solutions such as big data, analytics, artificial intelligence, cloud-based architecture, cyber security, augmented reality, partnering with HBCUs and universities to deliver research and development, small business innovative research and design, and special projects to support the war fighter, federal government agencies, and various other corporate and nonprofit entities.

Kevin is a seasoned executive, Strategic Advisor, Moderator & Keynote Speaker with over 35 years of leadership experience in the federal, and commercial markets, and most known for driving organizations and leadership teams to high performance in federal and commercial management, marketing, business development, sales, and operations with highly successful strategic alliance building, recruiting, channel strategies, proposal development, strategic client relationship building, customer, and employee care.

As a thought leader, strategic thinker and mentor his work has proven to continually exceed expectations in his ability to lead for profit and nonprofit organizations, to create success and wins for all stakeholders with a strong track record of developing and delivering multiple programs with corporations and clients.

Kevin currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council and is the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee immediate past Chair. He also serves as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) National MBEIC Treasurer. He is also the Chairman of the Board for Project Mend a House in Virginia serving the needs of veterans and senior citizens, on the Boards of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Virginia, Blacks In Technology (Richmond Chapter) a Titan for AFRICAN AMERICAN CEO Roundtable and the Black Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame.

Kevin’s past Board appointments include, (CASA) Court Appointed Special Advocates, Ronald McDonald House Charities, International Facilities Management Assn, Building & Office Management Assn, and the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce.

Kevin resides in Chesterfield VA, is married to his beautiful bride Meschelle of 40 years, has 3 adult daughters, Charri, Lyndzee, and Sharron, 13 grandchildren, and a host of foster sons, loves God, music, guitars, good food and cooking.

This symposium is an essential platform for marketing leaders and their teams, educators, college students, corporate leaders, HR professionals, DEI officers, procurement leaders and all individuals entrusted with critical decisions regarding audience engagement.

 

Diversity-Driven Marketing Symposium

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