Tuesday, December 3 from 9AM – 12:15PM. Doors open at 8AM. Free, registration required.
Location: Crowne Plaza – 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI
Check in & meet other attendees
Keynote Address: Anthony Rodriguez and Ralph Tavares, Upstream DEI
See below for more information. Session selected during registration.
Plus details on a free giveaway!
Click the boxes below to see your breakout session options.
NOTE: This is a half-day conference, so you can only choose one of the four session options during registration.
SPEAKER(s): Anthony Rodriguez and Ralph Tavares, Upstream DEI
AUDIENCE: Executives, managers and emerging leaders
DESCRIPTION: How can leaders continue to elevate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging programs with success? This session will discuss a framework for why diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies tend to fail and how organizations and teams can realign themselves to think of more sustainable outcomes. This learning session will lean on our framework for dialogue and discussion to openly discuss challenges to ‘DEIB’ work, learn about the 5 P’s, and how to think about long-term investments in DEIB success.
SPEAKER(s): Susan Jewel and Ariana DeAngelis, The Autism Project
AUDIENCE: Anyone on a care team
DESCRIPTION: To deliver impactful care, a person’s team must work as a cohesive, trusting and therapeutic network. Distrust, bias, frustration, miscommunication, cultural norms, opposing expectations and trauma can all influence one’s approach to members of the team. These influences often lead to breakdowns in communication and can negatively impact the individual as a result. This presentation addresses, from both the family and professional perspective, the causes of these communication breakdowns, and strategies for repairing and preventing them. Through an empathetic understanding of each person’s experience, a therapeutic and effective team will emerge.
SPEAKER(s): Tricia Driscoll, Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island
AUDIENCE: All staff levels
DESCRIPTION: Participants will build on knowledge around communication, learn skills and strategies to engage in challenging conversations. These strategies will help create a culture of trust where team members have the skills and strategies to engage in challenging conversations. Learning Objectives include 1) Assess and understand individual default conflict management style and the impact on communication. 2) Assess and understand individual positions and interests and how they impact communication. 3) Learn strategies for engaging in challenging conversations in the workplace. 4) Learn to recognize levels of conflict in the workplace and when to get help. 5) Practice effective strategies and techniques to improve communication and relationships when participating in challenging conversations.
Upstream DEI
Anthony has decades of experience focused on creating policies and practices to support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and those of color live the lives they have imagined.
His impressive track record includes leading the development of a #1-rated mathematics curriculum. On the Providence Public School Design Team, he worked to develop dynamic teacher development plans to increase access for those with IDD and English Language Learners.
Anthony is excited to serve as your keynote speaker.
Upstream DEI
Ralph is a problem solver who meets challenges with enthusiasm and an open heart. Spending nearly two decades creating equity in and access to higher education for students of color, Ralph has played critical roles in developing multicultural recruitment, retention, and mentoring plans and programs.
Ralph has worked in administrative roles at Salve Regina University, Providence College Roger Williams University School of Law. He now works as a Vice President for Equity and Inclusive Excellence at Diversified Search Group, a Forbes Top Ten Executive Search Firm.
He was recently awarded Most Valuable Player at Storbeck Search in 2022. He is also the recipient of the 2021 Dean’s Distinguished Service Award from Roger Williams University School of Law.
Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island
Tricia is an innovative executive with extensive experience in Operations Management, Customer Relationship Management and Budget Preparation for non-profit health and community-based organizations.
Demonstrated ability to establish and foster strong relationships with collaboration partners. Highly skilled in developing and implementing comprehensive strategic planning to facilitate continuous business growth and organizational collaboration capabilities.
Proven ability in directing cross-functional teams through daily
operations and meeting agency operational objectives through effective relationship management, communication and collaboration.
The Autism Project
Ariana delivers trainings across Rhode Island, the country and the world. Her workshops have been delivered to teachers, doctors, nurses, community health workers, administrators and more.
Ariana has an undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology and a graduate degree in Special Education.
Ariana has served as the training manager for The Autism Project for the last four years.
The Autism Project
Susan has dedicated her career to empowering families of children with autism.
For the last 20 years, Susan has served as the Manager of Family Support for The Autism Project. She has led nearly a dozen trainings from “Positive Advocacy” to “Parent to Parent“.
Susan is a leader in Rhode Island, ready to share her knowledge.