YNP: How Young Leaders can Advance DEI in the Workplace

Over the past decade, young professionals have increasingly prioritized personal values in deciding where to work, citing inclusion as a critical factor in facilitating teamwork, collaboration, and professional growth. In fact, a 2018 Deloitte survey revealed that 83% of millennials feel empowered and engaged in the workplace when they believe their company fosters an authentically inclusive culture. So, how can young professionals amplify their voices to create meaningful change within their teams and organization?

Join CNM for our next Young Nonprofit Professionals Virtual Happy Hour on Tuesday, September 7th. Hear from young leaders like you on the challenges they faced and how they were able to overcome these obstacles to revamp their organization's culture, ensuring DEI remains a priority.

Event Speakers:

For over 15 years, Veronica Clark, MBA, CPM, has been called a community advocate and connector, developing a reputation for going above and beyond to guide businesses and individuals to reach their full potential. She currently serves as a Procurement Counselor at the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, traveling across the state to help entrepreneurs successfully compete for government contracts. She is a University of Kentucky and Trevecca Nazarene University graduate. She was listed as a 2016 Nashville Emerging Leader, and The Nashville Business Journal recently listed her as a 2021 "40 Under 40" winner.

Dakota Galban has been with AllianceBernstein since 2019 when he joined the Internal Audit Department as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Audit Officer. Mr. Galban currently serves as the Co-Chair of AB OUT which promotes and supports the firm’s efforts to hire and retain members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. He directs strategy and aids in execution with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where LGBT employees can develop and reach their fullest potential. Before AB, Dakota was the content marketing specialist at Hunter Fan Company for two and a half years. Prior to that, he spent one year interning with ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital across various departments getting hands-on training in fundraising and awareness. He holds a BA in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Arkansas State University.

Dannelle F. Walker Whiteside, ESQ currently serves as Vice President for Legal Affairs and Organizational Strategy at Austin Peay State University. She is the institution’s chief legal officer and oversees public relations, marketing, and strategic initiatives. In August 2020, she served as interim President for seven months, leading the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to her time at APSU, Whiteside served as General Attorney for the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, General Counsel for the Tennessee State Board of Education, and District Policy Advisor for Metro Nashville Public Schools. She was recently named a "2021 40 Under 40 winner" by the Nashville Business Journal, a "Nashville Emerging Leader" in the Education category by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, a Nation’s Best Advocate: "40 Lawyers Under 40", and a Nashville’s "Top 30 Under 30".

Structure:

4:00pm - 4:10pm - Introductions

4:10pm - 5:00pm - Program / Discussion

5:00pm - 5:15pm - Networking

As always, these networking events are designed to be interactive sessions. We encourage attendees to find a location to participate where they can have their camera on whenever possible to engage with other participants and do what they can to minimize distractions.

Special Needs, Accommodations, and Event Questions:

We strive to be open and inclusive with our special events. Please contact Kathryn Swanton (Manager of Marketing and Special Events) at 615.259.0100 x3130 or kathryn@cnm.org if you need any accommodations, special requests, or have additional questions.