View the 2023 Agenda

• Sunday, April 23
• Monday, April 24
• Tuesday, April 25

• Sunday, April 23

  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    Food Truck Area

    BRIDGE Board of Directors Lunch
    
  • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    Game Room by Pool

    BRIDGE Board of Directors Meeting
  • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

    Playa Vista Lawn Area

    Cocktails
    
  • 6:15 PM - 6:30 PM

    Playa Vista Lawn Area

    Welcome to BRIDGE 2023

    

    Sheryl Daija
    CEO & Founder
    
  • 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

    Tent on Plaza

    

    London-based Saint Lucian photographer, artist, filmmaker, historian, activist and storyteller, Fiona Compton is unapologetically dedicated to retelling and reclaiming Caribbean history and culture and its unbreakable linkages to Africa by unearthing stories buried away in obscure corners of little known history books.

    Through her work with her platform, Know your Caribbean, Ms. Compton explores the intersection between identity, self empowerment and representation by dismantling the Eurocentric perspective and disparities within art and mainstream media. As a trustee on the board of The World Reimagined, Ms. Compton was part of a prodigious effort that exhibited 103 globes across the UK exploring the history, legacy and future of Enslaved Africans through the work of incredible artists, including Ms. Compton herself. This work ignited discussions with King Charles III, about colonization and Britain’s role in the slave trade.

    In our opening keynote, Fiona Compton will share her story and help us imagine a different world centered around inclusion and equity as she retells history in ways we might not have heard before.
  • 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM

    Tent on Plaza

    Sunday Dinner
    
  • 8:45 PM - 8:55 PM

    Tent on Plaza

    BRIDGE Stories
    Breaking Through

    Kareem Cook, CMO & Owner of Naturade and BRIDGE Board Member, shares his experience of breaking through in the world of big-box retail with his line of plant-based meal alternatives. He’ll take us through the twists and turns in becoming the first Black-owned company in their category to be distributed at Costco.

    

    Kareem Cook
    Chief Marketing Officer, Owner
    
    
  • 9:15 PM - 10:00 PM

    Firepits

    Open Bar

    In partnership with:

    
    
  • 9:15 PM

    Firepits

    Firepits and S’mores
    

• Monday, April 24

  • 7:45 AM - 8:45 AM

    Tent on Plaza

    Breakfast

    In partnership with:

    
    
  • 9:00 AM - 9:10 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    BRIDGE Board of Directors Chair Welcome

    

    Jonita Wilson
    Former Chief Diversity Officer
    
  • 9:10 AM - 9:20 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    BRIDGE Welcome

    

    Sheryl Daija
    CEO & Founder
    
  • 9:20 AM - 9:50 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 1: Keynote Fireside Chat: Debunking the Myths that Hold us Back from Building Inclusive Workplaces

    In an exclusive fireside chat, BRIDGE Founder and CEO, Sheryl Daija will interview corporate change maker, inclusion champion and industry influencer Mita Mallick around her soon to be released book Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths to Transform your Workplace. For the very first time at BRIDGE 2023, Mallick will reveal details of her work which is already being hailed as a must have resource for all levels in an organization. Both thought provoking and actionable, Mallick and Daija will dig deep into some of the myths and explore how when we show up as more inclusive leaders, we have the power to create a ripple effect across our industry in building more inclusive, empathetic and resilient organizations.

    

    Mita Mallick
    Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact
    

    Interviewed by:

    

    Sheryl Daija
    CEO & Founder
    
  • 9:50 AM - 10:20 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 2A: How to Build Inclusion as a Business Practice

    Given the critical role that brands play in influencing cultural change, there is a heightened awareness and motivation among business leaders to expand opportunities to advance diversity, inclusion and equity in their organizations and in their marketplace actions. Led by an academic team from Emory University, Indiana University and the University of Georgia, BRIDGE’s proprietary Voices of Inclusion research uncovered 72 business practices across 5 dimensions on what it will take to build an inclusive company/brand. For the first-time, Omar Rodriguez Vila, PhD, Associate Professor in the Practice of Marketing at Emory University will reveal how you can measure your own inclusion maturity and what it will take to bridge your unique gaps across the workplace, workforce and marketplace!

    

    Dr. Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
    Professor in the Practice of Marketing and the Director of Education / Business & Society Institute, Goizueta Business School
    
  • 10:20 AM - 11:00 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 2B: How do you Build an Inclusive Workplace, Workforce and Marketplace

    As part two of building inclusion as a business practice, we will share how three leading brands applied the learnings as part of a pilot program. By using the BRIDGE Assessment Tool each company was able to identify their own unique maturity level of inclusion practices, as well as determine specific actions to help accelerate their company’s progress to building an inclusive workplace, workforce and marketplace and drive business growth.

    

    Deborah Yeh
    Global Chief Marketing Officer
    

    

    Emile Khader
    VP Strategy, Insights and Analytics,
    

    

    Leslie Waller
    Former VP, Marketing
    

    Moderator:

    

    Rebecca Messina
    Senior Advisor
    
  • 11:00 AM - 11:10 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    BRIDGE Stories
    Seeing us, Seeing the Truth

    Powerhouse DEI leader and BRIDGE Board Member, Sandra Sims Williams will speak her truth about what it means to be a Black woman in corporate America. She will share her experiences about being one of few underrepresented Black women leaders through her journey as well as her own-first hand experiences with discrimination in the workplace as she climbed through the ranks. Emphasizing the importance to be seen, Sandra will also talk about how difficult it is to be present at work when racial aggressions and inequities occur in our society and what we can do as individuals in support of our Black colleagues.

    

    Sandra Sims-Williams
    Chief Business Inclusion, Impact and Belonging Officer
    
    
  • 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM

    Outside Tides Ballroom

    Refreshment Break

    In partnership with:

    
    
  • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 3: What does Inclusion mean for the Most Unincluded?

    Social inclusion is defined as the process of improving the terms of participation in society, particularly for people who are disadvantaged, through enhancing opportunities, access to resources, voice and respect for rights. Inclusion is not only a matter of respect, but of understanding and valuing the perspectives of those who have been left out and marginalized. But what does inclusion mean for those who are the most unincluded of all?

    

    Ness Murby
    JEDI Brand Strategist, Counsellor and Paralympian
    

    

    Vanessa Castañeda Gill
    CEO and Co-Founder
    

    

    Joanna McElnea
    Community Manager and Disability Advocate
    

    Moderator:

    

    Matthew Tsang
    Co-Founder
    AndHumanity
  • 12:00 PM - 12:10 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    BRIDGE Stories
    Smile, Black Man, Smile

    Best known as the NCAA Division 1 leading scored 37.7point per game record-holder for most points in a single game 72pts, Kevin Bradshaw is no stranger to success. A former professional basketball player, high school teacher, Dean of Students, Principal and currently serves as the Executive Director of City Year San Jose / Silicon Valley, working to empower and support young people, particularly those from underserved communities. Kevin is also a US. Navy Veteran and the subject of the award-winning documentary ShootingForHome. In our second BRIDGE Stories segment, Smile, Black Man, Smile, Kevin shares his personal lived experiences and unique understanding of the issues facing Black Men in business.

    

    Kevin Bradshaw
    SVP, Executive Director, City Year San Jose
    
    
  • 12:10 PM - 12:40 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 4: Talent is Universal. Opportunity is Not

    A commitment to diversity in marketing isn’t one size fits all as we will see from these two different approaches! Indeed’s VP Global Brand Marketing and Communications Jennifer Warren, will share how their Tribeca Film Festival award-winning Rising Voices initiative aims to discover, invest in and amplify stories created by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) filmmakers and storytellers. While Yin Woon Rani, CEO @MilkPEP, will share how their bold new campaign “You’re Gonna Need Milk For That” showcases how milk fuels athletic performance for all kinds of people, families, teens and tweens. This always-on omnichannel campaign is intentional and consistent in celebrating a wide range of races, body types, physical abilities, sexual orientation, and more.

    

    Yin Woon Rani
    CEO/CMO
    

    

    Jennifer Warren
    VP, Global Brand Marketing and Communications
    
  • 12:40 PM - 12:50 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    BRIDGE Stories
    Finding My Voice

    Kanye West’s antisemitic rhetoric at the end of 2022 were full of hate-filled language that inspired even further public bigotry. As celebrities, agencies, and brands began to vocally distance themselves from West, Sarah Camhi, an adidas employee and member of the Jewish Community, found herself in a difficult situation. She was a loyal fan of the brand, but found herself disturbed by the company's inaction. In our final BRIDGE story of the day, we will be joined by Sarah as she shares her story and how she found her voice as an advocate in standing up to hate.

    

    Sarah Camhi
    Director, Trade Marketing
    
    
  • 12:55 PM - 1:55 PM

    Playa Vista Lawn Area

    Lunch

    In partnership with:

    
    
  • 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

    Shore & Reef

    Workshops Part 1

    • Shore

      Workshop 1: Attracting the next generation of diverse talent through skills-based hiring, on the job learning and equitable experiences

      Participate in an interactive discussion led by a group of industry experts on what it means to build inclusive workforces for the next generation. We will explore how adapting to the needs of a purpose-driven gig economy is absolutely paramount in this moment. The next generation of diverse leaders is pushing for community, cultural competency, and a change in how we invest in skills-based hiring, on the job learning and creating equitable access to experiences and advancement opportunities that support their DEIB initiatives.

      Facilitated by:

      

      Elise James-DeCruise
      Chief Equity Officer
      

      

      Ziad Ahmed
      Head of Next Gen
      United Talent Agency

      

      Maia Ervin
      Marketing Executive, UTA’s Next Gen Practice
      United Talent Agency

      In partnership with:

      

    • Reef

      Workshop 2: Media Responsibility, Democracy and the 2024 Elections

      Participate in this workshop for an interactive discussion on how media responsibility efforts can support credible and reliable news content that attracts diverse, engaged and attentive audiences looking for information about our country’s most contentious human rights issues and as we approach another potentially divisive election cycle. We will also dig into brand safety and suitability protocols that inadvertently block diverse-created content from being monetized, and the challenge for diverse-owned publishers in navigating fraud and other issues in the the media supply chain.

      Facilitated by:

      

      Lou Paskalis
      Chief Strategy Officer
      

      

      Louis Jones
      CMO
      

      In partnership with:

      
  • 2:50 PM - 3:00 PM

    Outside Shore & Reef

    Refreshment Break
    
  • 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

    Shore & Reef

    Workshops Part 2

    • Shore

      Workshop 3A: What does BRIDGE stand for?

      The BRIDGE acronym is made up of Belonging, Representation, Inclusion, Diversity the G is the Gap and E is Equity. Even though these terms are used daily there is no industry standard of their definitions. In this facilitated workshop by DEI OGs you will get the opportunity to input into how we define these constructs before BRIDGE launches them as an industry standard. Group 1a will focus on B for Belonging, R for Representation and I for Inclusion

      Facilitated by:

      

      Jonita Wilson
      Former Chief Diversity Officer
      

      

      Elise James-DeCruise
      Chief Equity Officer
      

      In partnership with:

      

    • Reef

      Workshop 3B: What does BRIDGE stand for?

      The BRIDGE acronym is made up of Belonging, Representation, Inclusion, Diversity the G is the Gap and E is Equity. Even though these terms are used daily there is no industry standard of their definitions. In this facilitated workshop by DEI OGs you will get the opportunity to input into how we define these constructs before BRIDGE launches them as an industry standard. Group 1b will focus on D for Diversity and E for Equity

      Facilitated by:

      

      Sandra Sims-Williams
      Chief Business Inclusion, Impact and Belonging Officer
      

      

      Judy Jackson
      President, JLC Ventures
      

      In partnership with:

      
  • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

    Shore & Reef

    Executive Sessions

    The Executive Sessions are intended to be honest and real, conversations in a safe environment to discuss the challenges to change and what priorities they would like to see BRIDGE attack. from the diversity leaders and business and marketing leaders respectively. Separated into two the sessions will be facilitated by BRIDGE Board Members representing diversity and marketing and business leaders respectively. On Tuesday in a main stage session, they will collectively bring the perspectives from each session back to the broader audience.

    • Shore

      Session 1: CMO/Business Leader Session

      In this executive session facilitated by Randi Stipes, Deidre Small Landau and Mark Walker, we will explore the crucial role marketing and business leaders play in building an inclusive workplace and marketplace. In an open roundtable forum, we will discuss the differences between being an ally and an advocate, how you can build your own cultural comptency and the critial role your DEI leaders can have as partners. And we want to hear how BRIDGE can support you in all these efforts!

      

      Randi Stipes
      Chief Marketing Officer
      

      

      Deidre Smalls-Landau
      Chief Business Equity Officer
      

      

      Mark Walker
      Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO
      

    • Reef

      Session 2: CDO Session

      In this executive session facilitated by Tish and Lukeisha, we will explore how we are moving away from DEI as a pilosophy to inclusion as a business practice and what this means for DEI leaders. We will explore the crucial role you all play and your contributions to DEI as a business growth strategy and it impact to overall business outcomes.

      

      Wendy John
      Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion
      

      

      Lukeisha Paul
      Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      
  • 4:45 PM - 6:00 PM
    Open Time
  • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

    Playa Vista Lawn Area

    Cocktails
    
  • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Tent on Plaza

    Cultural Dinner

    In partnership with:

    
    
  • 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Solarium Room & Firepits

    After Party, Firepits and S’mores

    In partnership with:

    
    

• Tuesday, April 25

  • 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM

    Tent on Plaza

    Breakfast
    
  • 9:00 AM - 9:05 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    BRIDGE Welcome Remarks

    

    Sheryl Daija
    CEO & Founder
    
  • 9:05 AM - 10:05 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 1: Opening Keynote - The Critical Role of the CEO in Building an Inclusive Company

    The need for Inclusion in the workplace and marketplace to drive change at scale has never been stronger. And the role CEOs play creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive has never been more critical. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a societal issue and bold action from the business community - especially CEOs - in modeling purposeful, authentic and inclusive leadership for the rest of the organization should be a business imperative. Yet, the pace of change still remains too slow relative to the challenges. In a candid conversation juxtaposing the experiences of two CEOs, Judy Smith, crisis management expert and inspiration for the hit TV show Scandal, will uncover what it means to build inclusion as part of a company’s core strategic and operational priorities

    

    David Kenny
    Executive Chairman
    

    

    Kirk McDonald
    Former Chief Executive Officer
    

    

    Judy Smith
    Crisis Management Expert & inspiration for the hit TV show Scandal, Founder & CEO
    
  • 10:05 AM - 10:15 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Workshop 1 Feedback: Attracting the next generation of diverse talent through skills-based hiring, on the job learning and equitable experiences

    

    Elise James-DeCruise
    Chief Equity Officer
    
  • 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 2: Inclusion Matters in Content: How it Shapes our Memory and Life Experiences and Ensures Underrepresented Communities are Seen, Heard and Represented.

    Purposeful storytelling allows viewers to identify and imagine themselves as belonging in the plot or context which is why diverse representation in front of and behind the camera is critical to the accurate portrayal of race and culture in media. While we have seen progress in this area, we still see too many lingering stereotypes and racial inconsistencies with casting of characters that have no likeness to the original. In this session you will hear from leaders who are committed to furthering representation on the screen and in content to bring in the multi-faceted aspects of humanity, achieve racial equity, and further empower and celebrate diverse voices.

    

    Erin Lim Rhodes
    Host, “E! News The Rundown”
    

    

    Marya Bangee
    VP, Multicultural Audience Engagement
    

    Moderator:

    

    Jarvis Sam
    CEO & Founder, Rainbow Disruption and former Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer
    Nike Inc.
  • 10:45 AM - 10:55 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Workshop 2 Feedback: Media Responsibility, Democracy and the 2024 Elections

    

    Lou Paskalis
    Chief Strategy Officer
    
  • 10:55 AM - 11:25 AM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 3: Multi-cultural Marketing is Marketing. Why Inclusive Media Buying just Makes Cents?

    Making the right consumer connections is about to take on factorial proportions and while values and outlook may hold groups of targets together, beliefs and aspirations will splinter them – requiring much deeper considerations for message tone, creative and of course media placement. Buying power for Black Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic and Native Americans was projected at close to $5 trillion in 2020 which represents over 28 percent of the nation's buying power. Clearly this shows that underrepresented communities have considerable clout and it’s a cautionary tale for those brands that take a one size fits all approach to customer segmentation and marketing consumer goods and services.

    

    Gonzalo Del Fa
    President
    

    

    Michael Roca
    Executive Director, Elevate at
    

    Moderator:

    

    Jessica Ricaurte
    Chief Revenue Officer
    
  • 11:25 AM - 11:40 AM

    Outside Tides Ballroom

    Refreshment Break
    
  • 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 4: Taking Matters into Your Own Hands: Achieving Racial Equity through Entrepreneurship

    Promoting racial equity means tearing down systemic and structural barriers that keep people of color from achieving equal opportunities and outcomes. Unfortunately, too many industries have failed to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in their ranks, leaving talented individuals feeling excluded from these opportunities. However, the emergence of Black entrepreneurs has shifted the business landscape in recent years. By forging their own paths, they have served underrepresented communities and created racial equity on their own terms, leveling the playing field. This session will uncover how established companies have yet to capitalize on the rising economic power of multicultural audiences and how entrepreneurship can lead the way toward a more equitable future.

    

    Kevin Larkai
    Founder & CEO, Blackleaf Organic &
    

    

    Dr. Christine Wachira
    Founder & CEO of The Wachira Group, Wachira Wines, KARIBU by Wachira, and SOKO Distributors
    

    Moderator:

    

    Jon Suarez Davis
    Chief Customer Officer
    
  • 12:10 PM - 12:20 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    Workshop 3A & 3B Feedback: What does BRIDGE Stand For?

    

    Jonita Wilson
    Former Chief Diversity Officer
    

    

    Judy Jackson
    President, JLC Ventures
    
  • 12:20 PM - 12:50 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    Session 5: Where the Change Happens: The Convergence between Diversity, Marketing and Business leaders

    As we close BRIDGE 2023, we will bring together the facilitators of the Monday Executive Sessions as they collectively share the actionable perspectives from their respective sessions. At BRIDGE, we believe the change must happen at the intersection between DEI and business, that marketing/business leaders should make a commitment to building their own cultural competency and that DEI leaders should be an integral part of business, not on the outside of business. The learnings from these sessions will help us prioritize BRIDGE programs and the drive for accelerated change for the industry! A must attend session for your voice to be heard!

    

    Randi Stipes
    Chief Marketing Officer
    

    

    Deidre Smalls-Landau
    Chief Business Equity Officer
    

    

    Mark Walker
    Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO
    

    

    Wendy John
    Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion
    

    

    Lukeisha Paul
    Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    

    Moderator:

    

    Sheryl Daija
    CEO & Founder
    
  • 12:50 PM - 1:00 PM

    Tides Ballroom

    Closing Remarks

    

    Sheryl Daija
    CEO & Founder
    
  • 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
    Picnic Lunch
    
  • 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
    Activities

    • 
      Wine Tasting
      with Wachira Wines

      Join us for a #winesafari with the first Kenyan-American winery in the U.S.
    • 
      Kayaking
      in the Channel Islands Harbor

      Grab a kayak and adventure through the stunning beauty of the Channel Islands National Park where you’ll explore unparalleled natural wonders of the area.
    • 
      Surfboard Painting

      Join us to paint surfboards in partnership with More Than Conquerors Surf. The painted boards will be donated to the organization for their foster youth surfing program.

• Sunday, April 23
• Monday, April 24
• Tuesday, April 25