Culture + EQ: Building Resilient Cultures for Dummies
Building a strong workplace culture isn't just about perks or policies—it’s about people. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the key to creating a culture that can adapt, thrive, and withstand challenges. In this Chat & Learn, we’ll break down the fundamentals of CultureEQ, exploring how leaders and teams can foster resilience, trust, and real engagement—today. Whether you’re an HR professional, people leader, or just someone who wants to feel better about going to work, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to build a culture that lasts—without the fluff.
Kelly Blackmon
Kelly Blackmon is a culture transformation expert and founder of B.E. Consulting, specializing in creating sustainable, human-centric workplaces. With a background in DEI, change management, and leadership development, he helps organizations align business strategy with inclusive culture-building. As the creator of the DEI-EQ framework, Kelly integrates emotional intelligence with DEI principles to drive long-term impact. He has provided strategic guidance to over 100 organizations, equipping leaders with the tools to foster meaningful, lasting change in their workplaces.
Why Having Too Many Mentors Can Stunt Your Growth
Are you surrounded by a multitude of mentors but still feeling stuck in your career? The conventional wisdom of having many mentors might not be the key to unlocking your full potential. Let's explore why focusing on quality over quantity could be the game-changer you need.
Dorathy Simeon
Dorathy is the Lead Program Coordinator at Wentors. With over 5,000 women in the community, Wentor's primary focus is to nurture women in technology globally through mentorship programs, training, and skill development programs. Her strength originates from honest communication with people which leads to fearless relationships that are built on trust, as this will stand the test of time and open doors to diverse opportunities.
The Secret to Success: Self-Advocacy and Self-Care
Get ready to close out the year and start 2026 right with this special conversation with LinkedIn Top Interviewing Voice and renowned Career Management Strategist Ericka Spradley. With over a decade of experience as a leader, entrepreneur, and coach, Ericka has helped countless women elevate their careers through mentorship, confidence-building, and strategic interviewing skills that increase both opportunity and salary. She’ll share the practices and mindsets that have enabled more than 80% of her clients to secure their desired roles and design pathways to promotion. Questions welcome!
Ericka Spradley
Recognized by LinkedIn as a Top Interviewing Voice, Ericka Spradley is a Career Management Strategist and Coach who is deeply committed to supporting women in their pursuit of success by offering: mentorship, guidance, and expertise that helps them navigate the challenges they face in the workplace. Not only does she equip women to excel at work and know their worth, she aims to provide a powerful platform that fosters: career advancement, leadership, growth, confidence, work-life balance, and self-advocacy among professional women.
Ericka brings 10+ years as a leader, entrepreneur and coach whose published content can be found on Forbes.com, Black Enterprise.com and Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global platform. She also positions women to excel at work as well as know their worth by leveraging interviewing skills to increase their salary. This notion has not only resulted in at least 80% of her clients securing their desired role; but has also allowed clients to experience mobility by designing their path to promotion. In addition, Ericka partners with employers via their Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to help them better develop, promote and retain women.
To explore Ericka’s self-paced courses and complimentary resources, visit ConfidentCareerWoman.com
Building Bridges: Driving Equity Through Partnerships with Selene Chala of Code2040
Join us for an inspiring fireside chat with Selene Chala, Partnerships Director at Code2040, as she shares how strategic collaborations are driving meaningful change for Black and Latinx professionals in the tech industry. Selene will discuss the importance of fostering authentic relationships with partners to dismantle systemic barriers and build pathways for equity and inclusion. Learn how Code2040’s partnerships create opportunities for underrepresented talent to thrive and lead in the innovation economy. Selene will also share her personal journey, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what fuels her passion for advancing racial equity in tech.
Selene Chala (She/Her)
Selene is a Queer, Afro Latinx, Racial Equity Advocate living in Los Angeles, CA. She’s deeply passionate about movement building, coaching, and supporting people in implementing racial equity in the work they do. As a community organizer at heart, Selene learned that individual and community transformation is rooted in relationship building and courageous conversations. As a Director of Partnerships and Programs, She focuses on building relationships and partnerships that encourage reciprocity and accountability towards the common goal of Racial Equity.
From Burnout to Breakthrough: Reclaiming Your Career & Life with AI
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out? In this conversation with Breakroom Buddha founder Deja White, we’ll explore how AI can act as your personal career & life coach, helping you reframe challenges and reignite your passion. Deja and moderator (& AI expert) Hunter Lee Canning will discuss how to use AI to discover new paths, enhance your skills, and design a future that energizes and excites you. Attendees will leave with actionable tips, AI-powered strategies, and thought-provoking prompts to help them break through burnout and thrive in their careers and lives now!
Deja White (She/Her)
Deja White is the Founder and CEO of Breakroom Buddha, a career development platform dedicated to equipping professionals with essential resources to succeed in their careers at every stage. With expertise in workforce preparedness, career planning, and career clarity and design, she focuses on supporting early and mid-career professionals in achieving their short-term and long-term career goals.