Greater Charlotte Metropolitan
2024 Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Conference
Together We Lead: Building Inclusive Communities
Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM ET
Venue: Hybrid Event – Virtual & In-person
Synchrony Financial, 10840 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277
Admission: In-Person: Member: $100 I Non-Member: $125 I Student: $50
Virtual: Member: $50 I Non-Member: $75 I Student: $30
Description
With the theme "Together We Lead: Building Inclusive Communities," this IAG conference will spotlight AAPI leaders and allies, innovators, and changemakers who are paving the way for a more united and healthy Greater Charlotte community.
Join Us at Ascend Charlotte’s IAG Event on October 24th.
This Year’s IAG Theme is “Together We Lead: Building Inclusive Communities”
Agenda
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM:
Sign-In and Networking; Topic: Ascend Charlotte Slide Show
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM:
Keynote: Master Connections. Master Your Career.
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The path to influence begins with one conversation. By engaging with authenticity and listening with intent, you plant the seeds for impactful relationships. Over time, these conversations evolve into a powerful network that supports your career advancement.
Panel Discussion 1: Building Inclusive Culture
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​This panel will explore how Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) contribute to fostering inclusive workplaces. Corporate leaders will share successful diversity initiatives, address the challenges of creating inclusive environments, and discuss key metrics used to track progress. The discussion will also examine how companies can go beyond ERGs to implement long-term cultural changes that uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion values across the Greater Charlotte corporate community.
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM:
Lunch and Networking
Virtual Speaker: Navigating Pan-Asian Mental Health
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Navigating API/Pan-Asian mental health in the workplace requires understanding how cultural values and mental health stigma within these communities shape employees' behaviors and experiences. Many Asian-identified communities may downplay personal struggles due to cultural norms of collectivism, saving face, or prioritizing hard work, leading to increased shame and underreported mental health concerns. Join this session to increase insight on how to identify Asian mental health while also learning strategies on creating a culture of holistic care and support in the workplace.
Panel Discussion 2: Building Inclusive and Healthy Communities
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This panel will explore what it means to create and sustain inclusive, healthy communities, with a focus on AAPI populations in the Greater Charlotte area. Health providers and community leaders will share successful initiatives, discuss challenges, and highlight the role of local businesses and organizations in fostering long-term inclusivity and wellness. The session will also look to the future, offering strategies to ensure that inclusivity remains a priority for generations to come.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM:
Closing Remarks
3:00 PM:
Networking
Speakers
Welcome Remarks
Synchrony Financial
Ellen Saltmarsh
VP, Change Management Leader
Synchrony
Opening Remarks
Theme: Together We Lead: Building Inclusive Communities
Linda Yang
President
Ascend Charlotte
Vidya Raman
CEO
Vidya Raman Leadership Programs
Keynote
Master Connections. Master Your Career.
Panel Discussion 1
Building Inclusive Culture
Panelist
Shannon Quon
Partner
PwC
Panelist
Kacey Thompson
VP, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Programs and Insights
Synchrony
Panelist
Der Vang
Senior Director, DEI Enablement and Governance
TIAA
Moderator
Nelson Ho
Senior Director, EY-Parthenon Transaction Strategy and Execution
EY
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Panel Discussion 2
Building Inclusive and Healthy Communities
Panelist
Monica Kweman
President & Founder
Manera Foundation
Panelist
Dr. Christopher Lee
Medical Director; Co-Owner
OneSpotMD Primary and Urgent Care
Panelist
Lena Lee
Founder
Law Office of Lena Chun Lee
Moderator
Dr. Sendra Yang, PharmD, MBA
President & Co-founder
North Carolina Hmong Women Association, Inc
Navigating Pan-Asian Mental Health
Speaker
Rita Phetmixay
CEO
​Healing Out Lao’d LLC
Live Guzheng music
Angel Han
Software Engineer
Bank of America
Program Partner
Safety of our guests is paramount to Ascend. Attendees are responsible for monitoring their own condition and agree to comply with the safety, hygiene and CDC identified pandemic level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) guidelines established by relevant health authorities. We request that attendees not attend an event should they test positive or if they experience COVID symptoms prior to the event.