Rebranding DEIB: How to Continue Elevating Diverse Talent in Uncertain Times

An experienced change maker, Zara prioritizes the disruption of harmful systems, creating and facilitating brave spaces and opportunities for individuals to explore their intersectional identities, and empowering every individual to bring their whole self to work. Utilizing a holistic approach, she excels at collaborating with key players to craft strategic vision and operationalizing strong action steps to elevate workplace culture to a healthy culture of belonging. With an extensive background in Human Resources, operations, and programming within the non-profit, education, and tech sectors, Zara keeps a focused eye on the long-term mission and ensures she infuses humor in everything she does along the way. She’s also not afraid to openly share her love for Brooklyn and donuts!

Experienced in DEI, relationship management, conflict mediation and management, coaching, Human Resources, compliance, financial and budget management, administration, and auditing.

Milena is the Co-Founder and CEO of PowerToFly - the fastest growing global platform dedicated to fast-tracking economic equity by upskilling and connecting underrepresented talent to roles in highly visible sectors. Milena’s on a mission to partner with top 100 brands to bring them a slew of diversity solutions provided through the PowerToFly platform.

Milena was born in Bulgaria and moved to New York City a week before September 11th to pursue a Masters at ITP NYU. Prior to co-founding PowerToFly, Milena has contributed to numerous startups, and had a blast being the CTO of Avaaz.org where she oversaw the technology to support growth to over 30 million members.

Milena is a frequent commentator on how companies can diversify their teams, especially in tech. Her work for PowerToFly has been recognized in Business Insider and she was named Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business in 2015. Her biggest accomplishments are her four children who constantly push her to rethink what work-life balance means.

Jacquese Brown-Gravely, is a seasoned Global Diversity Leader with a proven track record in Talent Acquisition and Workplace Inclusion. She holds certifications from renowned institutions such as Cornell University, Strayer University, the Institute of Coaching, and Positive Psychology. Her strategic and measurable expertise in talent acquisition and workplace inclusion is grounded in a commitment to fair and equitable practices.

As a veteran spouse, Jacquese champions integrity and ethical conduct as she partners with the US Military, Women In Leadership, Parents in Autism, Healthcare Equity, and other Diversity segmented programs. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to diversity initiatives have led to a successful career spanning seven years as the Global Leader of Diversity Programs at Cielo. In this role, she has developed and implemented strategic diversity programs across various industries, from healthcare to home improvement.

Jacquese's contributions extend beyond client strategies. She is an active advocate for Supplier Diversity and ESG initiatives within Cielo, serving as a ERG champion and member of the Diversity Council. Her drive for creating inclusive workplaces and promoting Inclusion in all areas of life continues to fuel her professional endeavors.

Rha Goddess is the entrepreneurial soul coach behind hundreds of breakthrough changemakers, cultural visionaries and social entrepreneurs, from New York Times bestsellers to multi-million dollar social enterprises. As CEO of Move The Crowd, Rha is galvanizing a movement of three million entrepreneurs dedicated to re-imagining “work” as a vehicle for creative expression, financial freedom and societal transformation. She’s passionate about creating a “whole self” approach to entrepreneurship, and her unique methodology has empowered a new generation of conscious entrepreneurs to stay true, get paid, and do good.