At LivePerson, we are committed to build a more inclusive and supportive workplace; for that, we are hosting Courageous Conversations partnering with PowerToFly.
These 60-minute fireside chats revolve around specific topics and feature a subject matter expert in conversation with a PTF DEIB expert. Through a Q&A format, you’ll be able to hear and learn more about diverse lived experiences, while expanding your own awareness on a variety of important topics.
In the spirit of continued learning, we're sharing access to the Courageous Conversation recordings so that you can watch it on your own time and learn more from subject matter experts.
01/25/2024 - Elevating Women and Non-Binary Individuals within the Workplace
- Facilitator: Zara Chaudary, Global DEIB Impact Manager
- Speaker: Adriana is a results driven and people-centered Diversity and Workforce leader and coach. She has over 10 years of experience in leading high performing individuals and teams, generating millions in revenue, streamlining organizational processes, and implementing change management across multiple systems through the lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.She is the founder and CEO of The Élan Principle, an inclusive executive coaching consultancy for all women. When she is not working with organizations or coaching, Adriana enjoys public speaking, cooking, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.
What Comes Next? Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to host these conversations.
10/26/2023 & 11/01/2023 Disability & Accessibility
This engaging discussion promises to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the pivotal role that accessibility plays in creating an inclusive society.
Session #1
- Facilitator: Sari De, Global DEIB Consultant
- Speaker: Katherine McCord a physically and neurodiverse woman herself, built her career on inclusive innovation in People Operations and HR Tech. She lives by the motto that different is not a deficit. In 2014 she founded Titan Management, a national people operations consulting firm, and then in 2021 she shook up HR Tech by designing the first ever fully accessible, anti-bias Applicant Tracking System plugin that fires the resume and showcases company diversity! Now she is teaching and speaking across the globe about inclusion, innovating hiring, and neurodiversity. Featured at Web Summit, HR Disruptor, SHRM, and London School of Business, she makes an energetic, interactive, education-based speaker who always brings some spice!
What Comes Next? Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to host these conversations.
Session #2
- Facilitator: Limor Bergman-Gross
- Speaker: Dani Gutierrez is a dual licensed professional counselor and clinical social worker specializing in Addictions and Trauma. Dani has a Bachelor’s Degree from George Mason University, a Master’s of Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University if Honolulu, and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has spent the last 7 years working with the Active Duty military population as a civilian employee of the United States Army, and is currently working out of Vilseck, Germany. Dani enjoys competitive bodybuilding, tacos, and her French Bulldog, Chile Pepper.
09/13/2023- Latin American Heritage
In our vibrant tapestry of cultures, understanding and celebrating diversity is a journey we all embark upon together. To honor this spirit, we're excited to invite you to a Courageous Conversation centered around Celebrating Latin American Heritage.
This session isn't just about discussing the richness of Latin American heritage; it's about delving into meaningful dialogues that celebrate the contributions, stories, and experiences that shape our shared narrative.
- Facilitator: Zara Chaudary, Global DEIB Impact Manager
- Speaker: Criss Cuervo was born in Venezuela to Colombian parents. She migrated to the US when she was 15 years old, and she has spent most of her adult life living around the US, LatAm, and Spain.
Criss spent over a decade in corporate America working in hispanic television sales, production, and operations, before she transitioned into a career that allowed her to spread mindfulness and emotional Intelligence around the world - initially through running her own startup and now through consulting.
In addition to having a Master's Degree in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University, she is a certified teacher of Search Inside Yourself, a leadership program developed at Google. She is also a self-published author of “PERTENÆCER: Eight-Week Mindfulness and Meditation Training and Practices for Latinx Immigrants in the United States ©”, and co-author of “Building a more Diverse and Inclusive Science: Mindfulness-based Approaches for Latinx Individuals,” which was published in the Mindfulness Journal. She is also a Mindfulness Mentor having been trained by the renowned teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.
In her offline time she enjoys practicing meditation, reading, traveling, walking in nature, doing yoga, rollerblading, and playing tennis. Criss currently resides in Dallas with her husband.
What Comes Next? Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to host these conversations.
07/19/2023 - Microaggressions & Speaking Up
In today's diverse world, it is crucial for us to understand and address the impact of microaggressions. These subtle, often unconscious, forms of discrimination can leave lasting effects on individuals and communities.
- Facilitator: Sari De, Global DEIB Consultant
- Speaker: Lex Karageorghis (pronouns: he/him) is an inclusion specialist, consultant, and educator who is passionate about intersectional inclusion and social justice. He has a professional background in psychology and people management, and has particular expertise in accessible design, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, equality law, inclusive research, and co-production.
In addition to his work as a freelance consultant, Lex is proud to be a Trustee for The McPin Foundation (a mental health research charity in the UK), and the Consultancy and Training Manager at Transport for All (a disabled-led charity in the UK which works to improve the accessibility of transport and streets).
Session #2
Speaker: Dr. Alexandria White, who is the Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ReBoot Accel and the CEO of Alexandria White Consulting LLC. She has 18 years of experience in diversity, leadership, and social justice. She holds a BA from Indiana University, MA from Ball State University and a EdD from University of Mississippi. Dr. White is adjunct faculty in the School of Education at the University of Mississippi.
In 2016, she created S.A.M.S. (Student Affairs Moms), the largest online community for mothers who work in the student affairs profession. In 2023, Dr. White completed her third book, titled "50 Questions Inclusive Leaders Ask: How forward-thinking leaders stay current." Her next book will focus on the lived experiences of working mothers on college campuses.
Dr. White has been featured on numerous podcasts such as Working Capital Review, Diversity Like Me, The Inner Circle and The Confidence Factor, to discuss various topics. Her love for podcasting has evolved to her co-hosting a podcast, called Call In, which delves into DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) issues in the news and provides practical steps for leaders to navigate today's organizational landscape, knowing when to "call in" and when to "call out." In an era marked by cancel culture, Dr. White believes that exercising inclusive leadership confidently is of utmost importance.
Dr. White has one daughter and enjoys extreme activities such as skydiving, parasailing and ziplining. She is originally from Chicago, Illinois but currently resides in Oxford, Mississippi.
06/07/2023 - The Language of Inclusion
We explored the power of language, how it can reinforce biases and how it can also break down barriers to empower a community and create a more inclusive environment.
- Facilitator: Sari De, Global DEIB Consultant
- Speaker: NiiLee is a transgender & queer experience educator, motivational speaker, and liberator. As a transwoman of color herself, she has cultivated spaces for engaging conversations surrounding the intersectionalities of being black, a woman, and trans in today’s society. In 2020, NiiLee established JeSuisNiiLee Consulting, which assists businesses and corporations in policies and procedures that encompass trans, gender non-conforming, and queer individuals in the workplace, as well as educating on appropriate language surrounding gender diversity and inclusion. NiiLee has been on several panels discussing topics from the trans experience to the importance of trans visibility in the workplace. She was recently a guest speaker on the Marketplace Morning Report, a program that reaches more than 7 million people on public radio stations nationwide. NiiLee attended Georgia State University and studied Psychology with a focus in Clinical Mental Health. When not orchestrating, NiiLee enjoys all things creative arts, the outdoors, traveling, and photography.
What Comes Next? Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to host these conversations.
5/24/2023- AAPI Heritage Month
We explored the unique perspective and experience AAPI individuals bring to the workplace, along with the challenges they may face and how we, as a company and as colleagues, can support them.
- Facilitator: Zara Chaudary, Global DEIB Impact Manager
- Speaker: Christine Cariño is the Founder and Managing Partner of a consulting firm with a mission to bring back the human at the center of corporate businesses. They have designed and facilitated workshops both within the U.S and internationally. Their coaching practice is centered in helping underrepresented leaders and executives reach their next level of success through healing and authenticity so they can create impact on their own terms. Prior to their work, Christine spent over eight years in Recruitment and Business development where they coached professionals throughout the hiring process and advised business leaders in different industries on staffing and retention strategies best fit within their organizational needs. They are also a queer, nonbinary immigrant of Filipino heritage and believe that in order to create a thriving, loving and inclusive world, we must start the work within. To heal, love and include all parts of who we are creates the ripple of change we want to see in our family, relationships, communities and society.
What Comes Next? Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to host these conversations.
5/05/2023- Navigating Times of Change Through Resiliency
We explored strategies and practices that can help individuals build resilience amidst change and uncertainty.
- Facilitator: Zara Chaudary, Global DEIB Impact Manager
- Speaker: Ashley T Brundage started her second career as a means of survival. Fighting discrimination, harassment, and homelessness she found employment as a part time associate then rose to national Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion in less than 5 years at a major financial services organization. She captured this process of career development in her new award winning book and online course called Empowering Differences. Personally she enjoys time with her 2 teenage boys who serve as the main source of inspiration and empowerment for her. She has volunteered or served on the board for numerous nonprofit organizations including GLAAD, HRC, NGLCC, and the National Center for Transgender Equality.
What Comes Next? Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to host these conversations.