Launching for the first time in 2023, the annual BRIDGE executive 2 1⁄2 day retreat is curated specifically for Chief Diversity Officers, CMOs, CEOs and other business leaders. Focused on the development of next practices, that DEI is a journey not an end goal, BRIDGE 2023 attendees will workshop against pioneering research and rich content to achieve the right breakthrough ideas and innovations that support DEI as a long-term business growth driver.
Interactive and actionable in nature BRIDGE 2023 is also a place for rising stars and advocates to lend their voices as we define the future of DEI for the new generation who believes it’s important for companies to make the world a better place through systemic change.
No matter where you are on the DEI journey maturity curve, you will leave with an action plan on how to build an Inclusive Workplace, Workforce and Marketplace.
Who should attend
Drive Systemic Change by Building an Inclusive Workplace, Workforce and Marketplace.
At BRIDGE we believe that the change will happen with the convergence of diversity and business leaders. In keeping with the makeup of our board, attendees will represent this convergence.
Please join us if you’re a:
- Chief DEI Officer, DEI Leader
- Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing Leader
- CEO, COO, Business Leader
- Rising Stars - we want future Leaders!
Why Sponsor Bridge
Give Back with Authentic Cultural Experiences and Thought Leadership Opportunities
In keeping with our mission to make the world a better place, every BRIDGE sponsorship package includes a give back!
- For every meal we serve, we will donate a meal.
- All products, swag, giveaways will support an under-represented community.
- All experiences will be curated to authentically celebrate diverse cultures.
For more information on sponsoring BRIDGE 2023, please email Keith D Wright III.
Our Steering Committee
Chief Diversity Officer
Discover Financial
EVP, Streaming & Data Products, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Advertising & Partnerships
NBCUniversal
CEO/CMO
milkPEP
Chief Revenue Officer
Adsmovil
VP, IBM Brand Marketing; CMO
The Weather Company and IBM Watson Advertising
Vice President of Marketing
Campbells
VP, Global Brand Marketing and Communications
Indeed
The Agenda
Sunday, April 23
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PMBRIDGE Board of Directors Lunch
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PMBRIDGE Board of Directors Meeting
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PMCocktails
- 6:15 PM - 6:30 PMWelcome to BRIDGE 2023
Sheryl Daija
CEO & Founder
BRIDGE
- 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM
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.
- 8:00 PM - 9:30 PMSunday Dinner
- 8:45 PM - 9:00 PMBRIDGE Stories
Breaking ThroughKareem 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
Naturade/VeganSmart
- 9:30 PMFirepits and S’mores
Monday, April 24
- 7:45 AM - 8:45 AMBreakfast
In partnership with:
- 9:00 AM - 9:10 AMBRIDGE Board of Directors Chair Welcome
Jonita Wilson
Chief Diversity Officer
Discover Financial
- 9:10 AM - 9:20 AMBRIDGE Welcome
Sheryl Daija
CEO & Founder
BRIDGE - 9:20 AM - 9:50 AMSession 1: Opening Keynote - Where the Magic Happens
- 9:50 AM - 10:20 AMSession 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 Rodriguez Vila
Associate Professor in the Practice of Marketing
Emory University - Goizueta Business School
- 10:20 AM - 11:00 AMSession 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 Brand Purpose Officer
Sephora Americas
Yashica Olden
Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Condé Nast
Leslie Waller
Vice President of Marketing
Campbells
Moderator:
Rebecca Messina
Senior Advisor
McKinsey & Co
- 11:00 AM - 11:10 AMBRIDGE Stories
Seeing us, Seeing the TruthPowerhouse 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 Diversity Officer
Nielsen
- 11:10 AM - 11:30 AMRefreshment Break
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PMSession 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
Wiley Davi, PhD
Professor of English & Media Studies
Bentley University
Vanessa Castañeda Gill
CEO and Co-Founder
Social Cipher
Moderator:
Matthew Tsang
Co-Founder
AndHumanity - 12:00 PM - 12:10 PMBRIDGE Stories
Smile, Black Man, SmileBest 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
Former Professional Basketball Player
- 12:10 PM - 12:40 PMSession 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
milkPEP
Jennifer Warren
VP, Global Brand Marketing and Communications
Indeed
- 12:40 PM - 12:50 PMBRIDGE Stories
Finding My VoiceKanye 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
adidas
- 12:55 PM - 1:55 PMLunch
In partnership with:
- 2:00 PM - 2:50 PMWorkshops Part 1
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Workshop 1: Representation and the U.S. Census
In partnership with:
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Workshop 2
In partnership with:
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Workshop 3
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- 2:50 PM - 3:00 PMRefreshment Break
- 3:00 PM - 3:50 PMWorkshops Part 2
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Workshop 4
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Workshop 5
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Workshop 6
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- 4:00 PM - 4:45 PMExecutive 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.
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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
VP, IBM Brand Marketing; CMO
The Weather Company and IBM Watson Advertising
Deidre Smalls-Landau
U.S CMO & EVP, Global Business Equity
Mediabrands
Mark Walker
Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO
Direct Digital Holdings
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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.
Tish Archie Oliver
Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Unilever
Lukeisha Paul
Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
GroupM
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- 4:45 PM - 6:00 PMOpen Time
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PMCocktails
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMCultural Dinner
In partnership with:
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PMAfter Party
- 10:00 PMFirepits and S’mores
Tuesday, April 25
- 7:30 AM - 8:45 AMBreakfast
- 9:00 AM - 9:05 AMBRIDGE Welcome Remarks
Sheryl Daija
CEO & Founder
BRIDGE - 9:05 AM - 10:05 AMSession 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
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Nielsen
Kirk McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
GroupM North America
Judy Smith
Crisis Management Expert & inspiration for the hit TV show Scandal, Founder & CEO
Smith & Company
- 10:05 AM - 10:10 AMWorkshop 1 Feedback
- 10:10 AM - 10:15 AMWorkshop 2 Feedback
- 10:15 AM - 10:45 AMSession 2: Inclusion Matters in Content: How it Shapes our Memory and Life Experiences and Ensures Underrepresented Communities are Seen, Heard and Represented.
“Representation in the fictional world signifies social existence. Absence means symbolic annihilation.” — George Gerbner
As representation and inclusion remain a key aspect of individual empowerment in a society that so highly values media as a forecaster of culture, the accurate portrayal of race and culture is critical for people to see themselves authentically reflected in content, so they can identify and be able to imagine themselves as belonging in the plot or context. 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 and achieve racial equity.
Stacey Walker King
Chief Brand Officer
MACRO
Marya Bangee
VP of Multicultural Audience Engagement
Disney Studios
Moderator:
Jarvis Sam
CEO & Founder, Rainbow Disruption and former Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer
Nike Inc. - 10:45 AM - 10:50 AMWorkshop 3 Feedback
- 10:50 AM - 10:55 AMWorkshop 4 Feedback
- 10:55 AM - 11:25 AMSession 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
GroupM Multicultural
Michael Roca
Managing Director, DE&I Investment
OMG
Lisa Torres
President, Multicultural Practice, Inclusive Marketing & Media Expert, Leading Voice in the Convergence of DEI and Cultural Marketing
Publicis
Moderator:
Jessica Ricaurte
Chief Revenue Officer
Adsmovil - 11:25 AM - 11:40 AMRefreshment Break
- 11:40 AM - 12:10 PMSession 4: Taking Matters into Your Own Hands
Kevin Larkai
Co-Founder
Proof Theory and BlackLeaf
- 12:10 PM - 12:15 PMWorkshop 5 Feedback
- 12:15 PM - 12:20 PMWorkshop 6 Feedback
- 12:20 PM - 12:50 PMSession 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
VP, IBM Brand Marketing; CMO
The Weather Company and IBM Watson Advertising
Deidre Smalls-Landau
U.S CMO & EVP, Global Business Equity
Mediabrands
Mark Walker
Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO
Direct Digital Holdings
Tish Archie Oliver
Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Unilever
Lukeisha Paul
Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
GroupMModerator:
Sheryl Daija
CEO & Founder
BRIDGE - 12:50 PM - 1:00 PMClosing Remarks
Sheryl Daija
CEO & Founder
BRIDGE - 1:00 PM - 2:15 PMPicnic Lunch
- 2:30 PM - 4:30 PMActivities
Wine Tasting
Kayaking in the Channel Islands Harbor
Surfboard Painting
Our Speakers
Educator, Cultural Ambassador, Founder
Know Your Caribbean Educational Initiative
Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Unilever
VP of Multicultural Audience Engagement
Disney Studios
SVP, Executive Director, City Year San Jose
Former Professional Basketball Player
Director, Trade Marketing
adidas
CEO and Co-Founder
Social Cipher
Chief Marketing Officer, Owner
Naturade/VeganSmart
CEO & Founder
BRIDGE
Professor of English & Media Studies
Bentley University
President
GroupM Multicultural
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Nielsen
Co-Founder
Proof Theory and BlackLeaf
Chief Executive Officer
GroupM North America
Senior Advisor
McKinsey & Co
JEDI Brand Strategist, Counsellor and Paralympian
Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Condé Nast
Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
GroupM
Chief Revenue Officer
Adsmovil
Managing Director, DE&I Investment
OMG
Associate Professor in the Practice of Marketing
Emory University - Goizueta Business School
CEO & Founder, Rainbow Disruption and former Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer
Nike Inc.
Chief Diversity Officer
Nielsen
U.S CMO & EVP, Global Business Equity
Mediabrands
Crisis Management Expert & inspiration for the hit TV show Scandal, Founder & CEO
Smith & Company
VP, IBM Brand Marketing; CMO
The Weather Company and IBM Watson Advertising
President, Multicultural Practice, Inclusive Marketing & Media Expert, Leading Voice in the Convergence of DEI and Cultural Marketing
Publicis
Co-Founder
AndHumanity
Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO
Direct Digital Holdings
Chief Brand Officer
MACRO
Vice President of Marketing
Campbells
VP, Global Brand Marketing and Communications
Indeed
Chief Diversity Officer
Discover Financial
CEO/CMO
milkPEP
Global Brand Purpose Officer
Sephora Americas
Meet your hosts of Bridge 2023
BRIDGE is the first-ever purpose-driven DEI trade group serving the global marketing industry. We help companies bridge the gaps that have created inequities for under-represented and untapped communities in the workplace, workforce & marketplace. BRIDGE is an acronym for belonging, representation, inclusion, diversity, G is the gap and equity.
The BRIDGE Board
Registration
Registration is by invitation. Please request an invitation to receive a link to register.
DEI Leaders
Marketing and Business Leaders
A DEI Leader + a Marketing/Business Leader from the same company
If you’re interested in pricing for 3+ people from same company, please email [email protected].
A Perfect Location
Zachari Dunes at Mandalay Beach is a hidden gem nestled along 8 acres of an untouched stretch of gorgeous beachfront against the sparkle of the Pacific Ocean between Malibu and Santa Barbara. All- suite accommodation, with at least 600 square feet of space, private bedroom, separate living room and two full baths. With more than 23,000 sq. ft. of unique indoor and outdoor event space including 3,500 sq. ft. of ocean front lawn, we will deliver unprecedented content and experiences.
- Mantra, “We are diverse by nature and inclusive by choice”
- Women comprise 72% of the management team, which is 50% ethnically diverse
- Committed to both anti-racism and a workplace free of discrimination to all
- Owned in part by RLJ Lodging Trust, a BIPOC owned company
Booking
BRIDGE 2023 has secured a special group rate so don’t wait to reserve your suite online or by phone. Book by April 9!
Or call (800) 362-2779 using the group code “BRDG”
Travel
There are a number of airport options to fly into. Some will have more flight options than others but you can fly into any of the below three. We have estimated the time it will take to the hotel:
Thank you to our Partners
