NALC – Network & Affinity Leadership Congress (West) 2009

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NALC West
October 20, 2009
Charles Schwab Headquarters
San Francisco, CA

At the request of several companies, we took our NALC event “on the road.” Regional NALC meetings are one-day events to grow this “network of networks” that NALC is: a place where leaders of ALL networks can come from all industry sectors to examine ways to increase their groups’ value to business.

NALC West was the first regional event to give businesses an opportunity to send more ERG leaders to learn how to maximize the impact and value of their Network and Affinity groups to help their companies remain competitive. Topics included “Social Networking for ERG Business,” “Leveraging ERGs to Reach Customers,” and “Creating Opportunities for Leadership Development.”

If you would like to host a NALC regional in your area, please contact:
Janet Wigfield, VP & Executive Director, Conferences & Events
Janet.wigfield@workingmother.com
212.219.7468

Agenda

8:00-9:00 Breakfast/Registration

9:00-9:15 Welcome

Janet Wigfield, VP, Executive Director/Conferences + Events, Diversity Best Practices

9:15-9:35 Keynote

Desmonique Bonet, Ph.D., Senior Account Executive, Google

9:35-10:30 Executive Sponsor Panel

How has the role of the Executive Sponsor changed and developed over the course of time and what is the leadership impact on guiding ERGs?

Moderator:
Jennifer Brown, Principal, Jennifer Brown Consulting

Panelists:
Sherri Liebo, Vice President of Marketing, Customer Segments, CISCO Systems, Inc.
Rodney Prezeau, Vice President, Charles Schwab

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-12:15 Round I Workshops

1. Social Networking for ERG Business: “The Personal is Professional” or “Virtual Expansion of the ERG Model Social networking is invading the workplace, blurring the line between company and “personal” networks, and nowhere is this truer than in ever-expanding network/affinity group communities. Online ERG communities and the technologies that power them bring the promise of the instant collaboration, innovation, and community so necessary for these groups to continue to be business-relevant, however affinity groups still struggle with generational differences and comfort with technology, corporate confidentiality and firewalls, and the perennial challenge of being able to reach deeply and tap into regional and international ERG members who feel “left out of the loop.” Come hear social media-savvy presenters from ERGs, IT, and the consulting world discuss how this new technology has been made to work, and the obstacles it introduces.

Moderator:
James Wright, Consultant

Panel:
Moiré Rasmussen, Senior Manager Office of Diversity, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Cathy Campbell, Director of Diversity, Charles Schwab
Josh Li, Mobile Partner Technology Manager, Google

2. Leveraging Your Network/Affinity Group to Reach Customers
One of the most powerful tools when making the business case for diversity is the size or importance of a potential talent or customer base, and the missed opportunities that occur when a group’s influence and/or buying power is underestimated. This session will feature leading marketing experts and company panelists, who will provide critical data on diverse market sectors and discuss strategies used by leading corporations to align Network/Affinity group objectives with the corporate business objectives.

Moderator:
Pamela Burke, Program Manager and Talent Resources Manager, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Panelists:
John Mastrorilli, University Rotational Development Program Leader, Finance & Operations, Intuit
Barbara Williams, Senior Manager, Inclusions Strategies, Sun Microsystems Inc.
Victor Cousins, HR Business Partner and BEN Co-Chair, Sun Microsystems Inc.

3. Creating Opportunities for Leadership Development
At the heart of every Network/Affinity group’s value is the opportunity for its leaders and members to gain skills they wouldn’t otherwise gain, and access key players within the organization they might not otherwise be able to access. More than one executive has said that organizations look among Network/Affinity group leaders and members to find the leaders of the future. Come hear about how you can take advantage of unique career development opportunities through leading and being a part of these groups and how you can spread this message to potential members.

Moderator:
Paula Jones, Principal Diversity Consultant, Genentech

Panelists:
Linda Wells-Hott, Employee Groups Program Manager, Intel
Jimmy T. Wong, Vice President, Enterprise Diversity & InclusionConsultant, Wells Fargo
Claire Gao, Manager, Enterprise Risk Services Group, Deloitte & Touche LLP

4. Inaugural Offering: “ERG 2.0: Explore the “Business” of your ERGs”

While the speakers and presenting companies at NALC West will provide participants with a tremendous wealth of information on network/affinity group challenges and opportunities, a select few attendees will have the unique opportunity to schedule a 30-minute private consulting session with NALCWest’s thought partner, Jennifer Brown Consulting. Using a structured approach and proven success in building ERG effectiveness, the JBC team will evaluate participants’ assessment data and share relevant external ERG benchmarks, as well as provide brief strategic coaching derived from network/affinity group best practices at leading employers and JBC clients such as Cisco, Credit Suisse, Booz Allen, Chubb, and others. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of their ERG’s current and potential role as a strategic partner to their particular business, plus ideas for concrete actions.

(One-on-One Consulting Sessions – By Appointment Only; Pre-Assessment Required)
Tim Wikstrom, Seniore Vice President, Client Services, Jennifer Brown Consulting

12:15-1:45 Affinity Group Networking Luncheon

Affinity leaders lunch with others who lead like groups and explore similarities/differences in group structure, organization, goals, and best practices.

1:45-3:15 Round II Workshops (repeat same sessions)

3:15-4:00 Open Mike/Closing

4:00-5:00 Reception

Program designed by Jennifer Brown Consulting
Jennifer Brown Consulting, LLC
20 E 9th Street, Suite 4U
New York, NY 10003
www.jenniferbrownconsulting.com

Registration

Speakers

Sponsors

Hotel & Travel

San Francisco, CA