Attending the SHRM Diversity and Inclusion Conference & Expo has truly been an amazing experience. I first must thank the Garden State Council SHRM (GSC-SHRM) for sending myself and my Co – Chair to this amazing conference. It has been nothing but a fantastic learning experience.
This is my first time in San Francisco, so immediately arriving at the Hyatt Regency I went for a long walk and found myself at Pier 39, which, by the way, rocks. If you have not been to San Francisco, I highly recommend it. An amazing experience I came across during my voyage was seeing a flock of California sea lions. Truly amazing!
The conference opened bright and early Monday morning with speeches by SHRM President and CEO, Hank Jackson and Bettina Deynes, SHRM Vice President of Human Resources & Diversity. Ms. Deynes designated the following fifteen diversity and inclusion values: compassion, courage, stability, sharing, cultural, awareness, compassion, empathy, patience, adaptability, flexibility, humility, enthusiasm, resourceful, purpose-driven, and tolerance.
Additionally, acclaimed journalist, Lisa Ling, gave a powerful speech about her experiences as a reporter.
After the opening of the conference, I attended the following sessions:
*Dumb Things Well-Introduced People Say: How to Effectively Improve Diversity Skills and Competencies with presenter Maura Cullen
Dr. Cullen acknowledges the privileges we have and that we have try to make things better. Very often the people getting hurt are the one’s handling the comforting, known as intent vs. impact.
*Creating a Diversity Strategy Map: Converting Intangible Assets into Tangible Outcomes and Results with presenter Edward Hubbard
Dr. Hubbard indicated that you’re either at the table or on the menu.
*Inclusion Refocused: Race Conversation and the Urgency of Now with presenter James Wright
Mr. Wright emphasized that it starts with having a conversation with one person who is different from you. He also stated that diversity is being asked to the party and inclusion is being asked to dance, but belonging is having my music playing.
I’m one that firmly believes that we all should learn something new every day.
Mission accomplished to learning many things and discussing various ideas and concepts on the first day at the SHRM Diversity & Inclusion Conference in San Francisco.
Anthony Paradiso is a HRBP/Senior Account Executive with Industrial U.I. Services, who specializes in unemployment insurance cost control. He is also a Senior Consultant with Point Made Learning. Anthony is very active with SHRM, as the Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair for the Garden State Council-SHRM (GSC-SHRM), as well as being the Director of Diversity & Inclusion with the North Jersey-Rockland SHRM chapter. Additionally, he is the GSC-SHRM Conference Social Media Chair and is an active member with NYC SHRM. Anthony regularly blogs for SHRM and attended #SHRM18 in Chicago as a #SHRM18Blogger. He is also the Bergen County Human Relations Commissioner and in the Good Neighbours Toastmasters club. Anthony received his BA from Binghamton University and his MS in Human Relations & Business from Amberton University and has his SHRM-CP Certification. If you would like to contact Anthony, please email him at aparadiso@live.com, follow him on Twitter @allthingzap, and connect on LinkedIn.
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