Overview

Over the past months Board members have become increasingly aware of the benefits of and need for operationalizing diversity and inclusion strategies throughout organizations. In the process, we’ve probably all been through programs that promise to help us make an impact.  Company policies have been updated, expectations have been clarified and plans have been documented.  However, it’s also common for these initiatives not to deliver the desired results.  Our expert panel will share practical and pragmatic next steps that can be implemented when programs are not advancing and the intended metrics are not in concert with Board’s expectations regarding diversity and inclusion.

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Panelists

Karen May Board Member Ace Hardware Inc. and Alcon Inc.

Karen May is a proven business leader with over 35 years’ experience in the consumer products and healthcare industries. Her impressive track record of driving successful, large-scale business transformations and performance through leadership of large, global, human resources organizations is further backed by her extensive VP-level finance and controller experience. As a result, Karen skillfully delivers results with a keen eye to the financial performance of the business.

Karen currently serves on the Boards of Ace Hardware Corporation and Alcon Inc., and was previously on the Boards of MB Financial Inc. and LSA Variable Series Trust, an investment company of the Allstate Insurance Co.

As EVP and CHRO at Mondelēz International / Kraft Foods Inc. (name changed from Kraft Foods Inc. after spin-off of a portion of Kraft’s North America business), Karen was responsible for the full employee lifecycle including resource planning, recruitment, training and leadership development, staffing, performance management, engagement and retention, succession planning, compensation, and rewards. Karen was instrumental in leading the massive organizational transformation from a predominately U.S.-centric, consumer packaged goods company with over 125,000 employees to two stand-alone, market-leading companies. Over her 13 years as CHRO in both roles, business performance, including significant M&A and transformation activities, created $124B in shareholder value. As part of multi-year organizational transformation activities, Karen led the successful human capital integration of several large acquisitions including integrating over 30,000 new employees into the company and restructuring the new, combined business in 165 countries. In addition, Karen worked closely with the Board of Directors to successfully guide the organization through two CEO successions.

As Corporate VP and CHRO of Baxter International Inc., Karen was instrumental in transforming talent management and organizational culture to support Baxter’s global business success. Prior to being CHRO at Baxter, Karen served in a number of key finance roles including VP Internal Audit, VP/Controller Hospital Supply Division and International Controller.  Prior to Baxter, Karen worked in the audit practice of Price Waterhouse for ten years.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and, for 10 years, was a licensed Certified Public Accountant. 

Victor B. Dickson President and CEO  Safer Foundation

The Safer Foundation is a national leader in the fields of community corrections, reentry and workforce development. Through a comprehensive suite of programs and services, Safer Foundation assists individuals pre and post release from jail or prison with a full spectrum of services designed to overcome the barriers to reentry. The core of Safer’s mission includes job preparation and placement, vocational training, housing and behavioral health treatment services. This “holistic” approach to reentry enables Safer Foundation clients to experience a substantially lower rate of recidivism. Safer Foundation provides “A Road to a Better Future” for individuals to reenter as productive, contributing members of society.

Mr. Dickson’s leadership experience includes more than 20 years in the corporate sector with AT&T and Sprint where he was National Vice President of Sales Support & Infrastructure Services.  In this role Victor led a team of more than 3500 network & systems engineers, software developers and technical account consultants, supporting national and multi-national business clients. His team was responsible for maintaining an $11B revenue stream.

Victor serves on the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty, the Illinois Workforce Investment Opportunity Board, the Illinois Human Services Commission and Co-Chairs the City of Chicago Equity Advisory Council. He also served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Advisory Council.

Mr. Dickson is a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Victor and his wife Talese reside in Chicago.

Trisha Daho Founder Empowered Leadership Cultivation

Trisha spent most of her career leading large, diverse teams toward the delivery of value for her clients at a Big 4 Accounting and Advisory firm, wherein she served as a partner.  She has been pivotal in the discovery and sustainability of value in the billions of dollars for her clients.  She has worked with executives and their teams in dozens of Fortune 500 companies in the majority of states.  She has also created enormous value for entrepreneurs, high growth companies, and aspiring start-ups.  She left the corporate arena to light up the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  And hence, Empowered was born.

Having made partner in a Big 4 accounting firm in 9 years, Trisha was charged with building thriving practices from scratch in 4 different regions of the country.  Through laser-focused strategies and the ability to scale talent and service delivery quickly, she was able to create growth businesses that have expanded exponentially.  The leaders she’s cultivated have gone on to be partners, CFOs, CEOs, and much more.  She also spearheaded the DEI initiatives related to creating more diversity in hiring, development, and ultimately, leadership, in addition to ensuring a more inclusive workplace for women and diverse people for 16 years there.

With her own company, Empowered partners with leadership teams to create sustainable and measurable DEI results.  Empowered creates success for women and diverse people who are entering leadership positions through a diversity and inclusion peer advisory experience focused on strategy, high performing teams, and advocacy in leadership.  Empowered helps organizations to create more diverse talent acquisition and development strategies, accountability and measurement in leader performance, and the development of more inclusive cultures where diverse people thrive.

With a law degree from Case Western Reserve University and a business degree from Miami University, Trisha brings practical results-driven insights as well as leadership acumen.  She regularly writes and speaks on a variety of topics, including authenticity in leadership, high impact teams, creating growth cultures, diversity and inclusion, and many more.  Trisha proudly serves on the board of 2nd Story in Chicago, which focuses on storytelling for the purpose of connection, understanding, and change.  In her spare time, Trisha teaches kickboxing, sings in the shower, fosters Labrador Retrievers, travels to faraway places, and watches lots of foreign films.

Moderator

Scott Hoesman CEO and Founder  inQUEST

An accomplished and sought-after speaker, executive facilitator, author and senior organizational strategist, Scott is best known for his ability to implement full-scale, long-term people strategies across a wide spectrum of industries and geographies. His approach is based on three strategic pillars that he believes are critical components for sustained success: include, engage and innovate. Scott’s career spans 25 years covering a variety of leadership roles in sales, operations and corporate strategic planning. Prior to starting inQUEST, Scott led three leading D&I consultancy organizations and held executive roles at Bank One (now Chase). These experiences support his strategic thinking and provide a sound operational and financial approach to his collaboration with clients.

Scott’s focus is on helping individuals, teams and organizations realize their full potential. He has deep subject matter expertise in disability and LGBT workplace inclusion initiatives, and in 2018 was featured in Crain's Chicago Business' list of Notable LGBTQ Executives.

Scott is certified by The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), Lominger, HBDI and Hogan Assessments. He is on the Executive Board of the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Corporate Advisory Board for the USBLN, the Board of the Chicago Business Leadership Network (CBLN) and the AbilityLinks Steering Committee.

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