Relentless
Unshakeable
Defining
  • Registration Open
    May 3-5, 2026
    VEA Newport Beach, CA

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    This is an inclusive and welcoming event. If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request an accommodation, please include your requirements with your registration or contact Erica DeLorenzo at [email protected]. Requests should be made by March 15 to allow for coordination of services. You can read more about our Event Accessibility & Accommodation Policy here.

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    If you’re interested in pricing for 3+ people or a different combination from the same company, please email [email protected].

    BRIDGE26: Beyond the Line

    Watch video highlights from BRIDGE25

    Relentless. Unshakeable. Defining.

    Every generation reaches a moment that tests its clarity and its conviction. This is ours.

    BRIDGE26: BEYOND THE LINE is where leadership takes hold. Where we don’t wait, we begin. Because the future won’t be shaped by the loudest; it will be shaped by the bravest.

    To go beyond the line is where inclusion transforms from philosophy to capability — from intention to performance — driving innovation, resilience, and growth across every corner of business.

    It’s where we aren’t one voice, but a chorus. It’s how we build winning cultures. Cultures where people don’t just show up, they thrive; where creativity flourishes, trust grows, and teams move with unity and urgency.

    It’s where workplace culture and marketplace impact collide into one integrated strategy for sustainable growth.

    To go beyond the line isn’t about preserving what was, it’s about building what must exist next. It’s about knowing what you stand for when it costs you something, and standing up before it’s safe to do so.

    With an NPS above 90 for three consecutive years, BRIDGE26 equips leaders to compete harder, lead smarter, and grow faster in the face of rising volatility. We show you how to move inclusion out of the margins and into the mechanics of the business where it becomes measurable, scalable, and transformational.

    Now in its fourth year, BRIDGE convenes the most visionary Chief Diversity Officers, CMOs, CEOs, and senior executives for 2½ days designed to go beyond the line. Power doesn’t just sit at the top. It lies within all of us. The question isn’t if we have it, but how we choose to use it. And using power with purpose isn’t just courageous, it’s consequential.

    The stakes are high. The opportunity is higher.
    Relentless in our pursuit.
    Unshakeable in our purpose.
    Defining the future of growth.
    This is BRIDGE26: BEYOND THE LINE.

    Request an Invite
    Wiley Davi

    In Honor of Wiley Davi

    Wiley Davi was a bright light — curious, true, intuitive, grounded, and endlessly fascinated by how people think, feel, and become. A brilliant warrior with gentle humor. A calm in the hard moments. A bringer of balance and a force for empathy.

    Wiley moved through the world with humility leaving a lasting impact on everyone who knew her. A care-giver, dog lover and most loyal friend, Wiley thought beyond the lines, saw wonder everywhere, and leaves us with a profound legacy shaped by generosity, humanity, and care.

    BRIDGE26 is dedicated to her — she loved this retreat and the community it created. It was a space where she saw possibility come alive. We will continue her work with gratitude for all she gave, and the courage to carry forward the wisdom she shared.

    View the 2026 Agenda

    • Sunday, May 3

      • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

        Marea Terrace

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

        Marea Canvas 1

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

        In partnership with:

        J.Crew
      • 7:30 PM - 7:50 PM

        Sunset Lawn

        Beyond the Line
        Sheryl Daija
        Sheryl Daija
        CEO & Founder
      • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

        Sunset Lawn

        Cultural Immersion Dinner
      • 8:40 PM - 9:00 PM

        Sunset Lawn

        BRIDGE STORIES
        Rooted. Fearless. Unbound.

        An Indigenous filmmaker from the Métis Nation of Alberta, Apolla Echino brings a bold lens to storytelling across sport, lifestyle, and culture. From global brands like Nike to work alongside James Cameron and the team behind The Cove, she proves storytelling can empower, connect cultures and root us in both planet and people.
        Apolla Echino
        Apolla Echino
        Award-winning Filmmaker, Member, Métis Nation of Alberta
      • 9:00 PM
        Firepits and Friendships
    • Monday, May 4

      • 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

        Riviera Lawn 2

        Breakfast
      • All Day

        Portofino

        Quiet Room
        Retreat, relax and recharge away from everything!
      • 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Morning Welcome
        BRIDGE Chair Welcome Remarks BRIDGE CEO Welcome Remarks
        Sandra Sims-Williams
        Sandra Sims-Williams
        Chief Business Inclusion, Impact and Belonging Officer
        Sheryl Daija
        Sheryl Daija
        CEO & Founder
      • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Fireside Chat
        Leading with Purpose: A Conversation with Target’s Alisa Dalton
        Few brands operate as visibly at the intersection of culture, community, and commerce as Target. As expectations for companies continue to evolve, so does the opportunity and responsibility to show up with clarity, consistency, and impact in an increasingly complex environment.

        In this fireside chat, Target’s VP, Community Engagement and Belonging, Alisa Dalton joins BRIDGE Founder and CEO Sheryl Daija for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to lead in that environment. The discussion will reflect on how she advances the work with purpose and clarity, and the leadership required to stay focused on delivering impact as the environment continues to evolve.
        Alisa Dalton
        Alisa Dalton
        Vice President, Community Engagement & Belonging
        Moderator:
        Sheryl Daija
        Sheryl Daija
        CEO & Founder
      • 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Fireside Chat
        How Brands Win with Inclusion
        Dr. Omar Rodríguez-Vilá will present a compilation of proprietary, academic-led research demonstrating how inclusion drives measurable business performance.

        The findings challenge conventional thinking. Brands generate growth when inclusion is proactive, credible, and embedded into product fit and marketing strategy. Reactive efforts erode trust. Symbolism without value creates skepticism. Sustained investment builds advantage. Brands that win treat inclusion as a disciplined business capability, not a campaign. This session examines how aligning representation, product design, and message with real consumer value drives profitability and long-term brand strength.
        Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
        Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
        Professor in the Practice of Marketing, Director of Education / Business & Society Institute
        Moderator:
        Lori Goode
        Lori Goode
        Chief Marketing Officer
      • 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        BRIDGE STORIES
        The Most Optimistic Man I Ever Knew Slept with a Shotgun

        One night, the KKK came for Tony's grandparents' home. His grandfather and his sons, including Tony's father, stood their ground, defended it with a shotgun, and stayed. This happened in the town where Tony grew up as part of the only Black family. A 500-person town in Southeastern Ohio.

        When Tony was old enough, his father told him the story about that night. It stayed with him. Not just because of what happened, but because of what his father wanted him to understand. It was a story about violence, fear, and knowing exactly what you are up against. But it was also a story about optimism. About the ability to see the worst in people and still look for the good.

        This is the story that has shaped how Tony sees the world, how he parents, how he makes decisions, and how he has led for more than thirty years.
        Tony Coles
        Tony Coles
        President, Black Information Network
      • 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

        Riviera Lawn 2

        Mix and Mingle

        In partnership with:

        Sephora
      • 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        The CDO Role Reimagined
        Talent. Marketing. Operations. Culture. Risk. Brand. Growth. Few roles in the organization have the breadth of visibility or influence of the Chief Diversity Officer. Yet the role has often been reduced to a culture steward instead of recognized as an enterprise-wide operator.

        Reimagining this critical role requires courage of conviction and alignment between responsibility and authority. When inclusion is treated as a rigorous business capability rather than a philosophy, the CDO becomes a driver of growth across workplace culture and marketplace strategy. This session explores how positioning CDOs to lead at this level will future-proof the business, increase profitability, and fully realize the mandate the role was always intended to hold.
        Alicin Williamson
        Alicin Williamson
        Chief Diversity & Culture Officer
        Carlos Cubia
        Carlos Cubia
        EVP, Chief Community Health Impact & Belonging Officer
        Moderator:
        Victoria Russell
        Victoria Russell
        Managing Director, Inclusion & Sustainability Strategy Leader
      • 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        The Real Work of Inclusive Marketing: Growth, Risk, Accountability
        Inclusive marketing is an intentional strategic process that belongs at the center of the organization, not at the margins. As diverse communities continue to drive disproportionate economic growth, brands face a choice: perform inclusion in creative assets or operationalize it across the marketing life cycle. This session frames inclusive marketing through three executive levers: growth, risk, and accountability. We will examine how organizations that align strategy, authority, and execution around the markets they serve are turning inclusive marketing into growth, competitive advantage, and measurable performance.
        Donna Dozier Gordon
        Donna Dozier Gordon
        Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Americas
        Aubrey Maslen
        Aubrey Maslen
        VP, Head of DE&I Communications & Strategic Partnerships, North America
        Ronald Méndez
        Ronald Méndez
        EVP, Cultural Investment & Strategy Lead
        Moderator:
        Jessica Ricaurte
        Jessica Ricaurte
        Chief Revenue Officer
      • 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Beyond the Scoreboard: Power, Culture and Performance
        Sport has always been a mirror of society and a driver of change. Real progress does not happen on the scoreboard. It happens in the systems, decisions, stories, and community moments that shape how teams, leagues, and brands connect to culture.

        This session examines how inclusion, when embedded across ownership, leadership, sponsorship and the game day experience, strengthens fan loyalty, defines cultural relevance, and drives long-term performance.
        Brandon Thompson
        Brandon Thompson
        Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
        Alanna Hernandez
        Alanna Hernandez
        Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Operations, Team Sports
        Moderator:
        Marisa Grimes
        Marisa Grimes
        Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
      • 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

        Marea Terrace & Marea Canvas 1

        Lunch
      • 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
        BRIDGE Academy Pilots
        The BRIDGE Academy is designed to embed inclusion as a business capability across the systems that drive growth, performance, and decision-making.

        At BRIDGE26, we are introducing three pilot workshops developed in collaboration with leading partners. Each session is grounded in the BRIDGE IMAX framework and focused on translating inclusion into practical, cross-functional execution.
        • BRIDGE Academy Pilot 1: Growth Through Inclusion

          Marea Canvas 1

          Developed in collaboration with and facilitated by:
          Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
          Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
          Professor in the Practice of Marketing, Director of Education / Business & Society Institute
          Inclusion in marketing has largely centered on communications and content. An equally important and often overlooked driver of growth is how brands deliver product and experience in ways that reflect the needs of the market.

          In this workshop, you will:
          • Understand the role of product and customer experience in driving growth, retention, and brand relevance
          • Identify where inclusion breaks down across product design and the customer journey
          • Build practical approaches to improving product fit and managing customer experience more effectively
          You will leave with a clearer understanding of how inclusion moves beyond communications and into the systems that shape product relevance, customer engagement, and business performance.

          This session aligns to BRIDGE IMAX and supports the goal of building inclusion as an enterprise-wide capability.
        • BRIDGE Academy Pilot 2: AI, Bias and Business Impact

          Capri

          Developed in collaboration with Alltold | Facilitated by:
          Morgan Gregory
          Morgan Gregory
          CEO and Co-founder
          Generative AI is poised to transform workflows, creative, and entire industries. And it carries risk.

          Generative models do not just inherit bias from their training data. They can amplify it, shaping outputs that reinforce patterns across race, gender, and representation.

          In this workshop, you will:
          • Identify where Generative AI is currently being used across your organization
          • Understand how and why bias emerges in AI systems
          • Apply frameworks to recognize bias in real-world outputs
          • Explore approaches to mitigating bias in practice
          You will leave with greater confidence in how to leverage AI for growth while managing risk and building more responsible, effective systems.

          This session aligns to BRIDGE IMAX and supports the goal of building inclusion as an enterprise-wide capability.
        • BRIDGE Academy Pilot 3: How High-Impact CDOs Operate Across the Enterprise

          Marea Canvas 2

          Developed in collaboration with WKKF and FSG | Facilitated by:
          Chirlie Felix
          Chirlie Felix
          Managing Director
          Jonathan Njus
          Jonathan Njus
          Senior Program Officer
          The inclusion leaders who drive impact do more than set strategy. They operate across the business.

          Through Expanding Equity, a body of work grounded in insights from more than 350 companies, this session focuses on what distinguishes high-impact inclusion leadership today.

          In this workshop, you will:
          • Build a business case that connects inclusion to growth and risk
          • Translate strategy into clear, actionable narratives
          • Influence across functions without direct authority
          You will leave with a clearer understanding of how to operate across the enterprise, driving outcomes that are measurable, credible, and aligned to business performance.

          This session aligns to BRIDGE IMAX and supports the goal of building inclusion as an enterprise-wide capability.
      • 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
        Mix and Mingle

        In partnership with:

        Sephora
      • 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
        Executive Sessions
        • Marketer and Business Leaders Roundtable
          Facilitated by:
          Randi Stipes
          Randi Stipes
          Former Chief Marketing Officer
          Lori Goode
          Lori Goode
          Chief Marketing Officer
        • Inclusion, Belonging, Culture and People Leaders Roundtable
          Facilitated by:
          Lukeisha Paul
          Lukeisha Paul
          Head of Inclusion & Impact
          Valerie Irick Rainford
          Valerie Irick Rainford
          CEO
        • Rising Stars Session
          Facilitated by:
          Sheryl Daija
          Sheryl Daija
          CEO & Founder
          Geraldine White
          Geraldine White
          Founder and CEO
      • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
        Your Time
      • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
        Cocktails and Connections

        In partnership with:

        DevelopWell
      • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

        Sunset Lawn

        Cultural Immersion Dinner
      • 9:00 PM

        Sunset Lawn

        Firepits and Friendships
      • Sunset Lawn

        Stories That Shape Culture: A Conversation With Brothers
        Rob Edwards has spent his career shaping some of the most recognizable stories in Hollywood, from writing The Princess and the Frog with Disney's first Black princess, to creating the first Black Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World. His work brings humor, humanity, and cultural specificity to global audiences.

        Around the firepit, Rob and his brother Geoff will go beyond the credits to unpack what it takes to build a career as a Black filmmaker in Hollywood, how the industry has evolved over three decades, and where it's headed, from who gets to tell stories to how those stories get funded, made, and brought to life.

        Intimate, honest, and personal, they will explore the power of storytelling and the possibilities it creates in how people see themselves, one another, and the world around them.

        At a time when culture, creativity, and commerce are more connected than ever, these two brothers will get real and pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the screen.

        In partnership with:

        Gale
    • Tuesday, May 5

      • 7:45 AM - 8:45 AM

        Riviera Lawn 2

        Breakfast
      • 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

        Portofino

        Quiet Room
        Retreat, relax and recharge away from everything!
      • 9:00 AM - 9:10 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        BRIDGE Welcome Remarks
        Sheryl Daija
        Sheryl Daija
        CEO & Founder
      • 9:10 AM - 9:30 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        BRIDGE STORIES
        Homeless. Creative. Unstoppable.

        Inocente, the subject of an Oscar-winning short documentary, will share her inspiring coming-of-age story of a 15-year old girl in California. Though homeless and undocumented, she refuses to give up on her dream of being an artist, proving that the hand she has been dealt does not define her – her dreams do.
        Inocente
        Inocente
        Artist
        Francile Albright Mullen
        Q&A:
        Francile Albright Mullen
        Co-CEO, Executive Director
      • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Judgment Under Pressure: A Conversation with Judy Smith
        Judy Smith has advised some of the world’s most visible companies, leaders, and institutions through crisis. She operates at the intersection of risk, reputation, and decision-making when the stakes are highest and the margin for error is gone. She is also the inspiration behind Scandal, bringing her real-world experience into the cultural mainstream.

        She will bring a direct view into where companies are getting it right and where they are misstepping, what CEOs are asking behind closed doors, and how leaders are navigating legal, cultural, and commercial pressure simultaneously.
        Judy Smith
        Judy Smith
        Founder & CEO
        Moderator:
        Sheryl Daija
        Sheryl Daija
        CEO & Founder
      • 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        The Legal State of the Union
        The legal landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion is shifting rapidly. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing. Litigation strategies are evolving. Corporate commitments are being tested.

        This session brings together Professor Stacy Hawkins and former EEOC Chair Jenny Yang to provide a clear-eyed assessment of the current legal environment and what it means for business leaders.

        Grounded in policy, precedent, and enforcement realities, this conversation will cut through speculation and clarify where risk truly lies, where organizations remain on solid footing, and how leaders can move forward with confidence and conviction.
        Stacy Hawkins
        Stacy Hawkins
        Diversity & Employment Practices Consultant and Professor of Law
        Jenny Yang
        Jenny Yang
        Former Chair, EEOC, Partner
        Moderator:
        Danyelle Wright
        Danyelle Wright
        VP, Government Affairs & Social Impact, Employment & Labor Counsel
      • 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
        Mix and Mingle

        In partnership with:

        Publicis Groupe
      • 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        AI and Inclusion: The Human Imperative
        Artificial intelligence is reshaping how decisions are made, how products are built, and how work gets done. Without intentional design, it can become a force multiplier for inequity.

        As organizations accelerate adoption, inclusion must be embedded at the point of creation across data, design, governance, and accountability. This session will examine how organizations that get this right build trust and competitive advantage. Those that do not will inherit avoidable risk.
        Annie Hanlon
        Annie Hanlon
        Co-founder and Partner
        Joe Ligé
        Joe Ligé
        Founder and CEO
        Moderator:
        Morgan Gregory
        Morgan Gregory
        CEO and Co-founder
      • 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Designing for Disability. Building for Growth.
        Disability remains one of the most overlooked dimensions of inclusion in business today. Too often, it is treated as compliance or accommodation rather than what it actually is: a driver of innovation, talent, and market growth across visible and non-visible disabilities.

        This session challenges leaders to move beyond reactive policies and start building accessibility into how their business operates. From workforce to product to customer experience, we will focus on the practical shifts required to recognize disability as a capability for growth, competitive advantage, and performance.
        George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga
        George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga
        Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
        Emily Goodson
        Emily Goodson
        Author + Speaker
        Moderator:
        Emile Khader
        Emile Khader
        Khader. LLC
      • 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Rising Stars
        Where Emerging Leaders Step Beyond the Line
        The next generation of enterprise leaders is already here. The BRIDGE Rising Stars Program brings forward a select cohort of emerging leaders who are shaping what is possible within their organizations and communities. Each Rising Star joins BRIDGE26 as an invited guest with board-level sponsorship, executive access, and a platform to contribute their perspective to the full community. This session is our opportunity to hear from them. To understand how they see the future of leadership, inclusion, growth, and impact. Their vantage point is different. Their expectations are higher. Their leadership is already in motion. Beyond the Line belongs to them as much as it does to us.
        Chima Egbuzie
        Chima Egbuzie
        Marketing Manager
        Chloé Howard
        Chloé Howard
        VP, Strategy Director
        Uchechi Iroha
        Uchechi Iroha
        Associate Creative Director
        James Nmah
        James Nmah
        Founder
        Brook Dennard Rosser
        Brook Dennard Rosser
        Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives
        Claudene Roye
        Claudene Roye
        Marketing Program Lead
        Christien Russell
        Christien Russell
        Director, Strategy & Innovation - DEI
        D’Eric Watson
        D’Eric Watson
        Senior Communications Specialist
        Moderator:
        Geraldine White
        Geraldine White
        Founder and CEO
      • 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM

        Amalfi Ballroom Salons 1-4

        Closing Remarks
        Sheryl Daija
        Sheryl Daija
        CEO & Founder
      • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
        Grab and Go Picnic Lunch
      • 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
        Networking Activities
        • Wine Tasting: Raise a Glass
          Wine Tasting: Raise a Glass
          Tahiirah Habibi
          Tahiirah Habibi
          Founder and CEO
          Globally recognized, award-winning sommelier Tahiirah Habibi will curate a guided tasting experience featuring wines from Theopolis Vineyards, a Black-owned winery. Tahiirah, founder and CEO of The Hue Society, has built a platform that expands access, visibility, and participation for Black, brown and Indigenous wine makers.

          In partnership with:

          The Hue SocietyTheopolis Vineyards
        • Make It Yours: Silkscreen & Painting
          Make It Yours: Silkscreen & Painting
          A hands-on, layered art experience blending painting with traditional silk screen techniques, led by Siyowin Peters, a Native American and Mexican artist based in Los Angeles. You will create a one of a kind piece that reflects both your individual creativity and the shared experience of making art together.
        • Movement, Meditation & Sound Bath
          Movement, Meditation & Sound Bath
          A guided experience in intentional movement, meditation, and sound with Gina Rivera Cater, certified yoga and meditation teacher. This 75-minute session begins with gentle, accessible yoga to open the body, followed by guided meditation and a restorative sound bath designed to ground and reset. Thoughtfully designed for all levels, this is space to slow down, reconnect, and leave feeling centered. Each participant will receive a small gift of essential oil and an affirmation card.

    2026 Speakers

    The Voices who Lead the Conversation

    BRIDGE26 brings together the most influential voices in business, marketing, and culture — leaders who don't just discuss inclusion, they define it. Our speakers include executives, changemakers, and innovators who've shaped how the industry thinks about leadership, creativity, and growth.

    Apolla Echino
    Apolla Echino
    Award-winning Filmmaker, Member, Métis Nation of Alberta
    Jenny Yang
    Jenny Yang
    Former Chair, EEOC, Partner
    Inocente
    Inocente
    Artist
    Francile Albright Mullen
    Francile Albright Mullen
    Co-CEO, Executive Director
    Tony Coles
    Tony Coles
    President, Black Information Network
    Carlos Cubia
    Carlos Cubia
    EVP, Chief Community Health Impact & Belonging Officer
    Sheryl Daija
    Sheryl Daija
    CEO & Founder
    Alisa Dalton
    Alisa Dalton
    Vice President, Community Engagement & Belonging
    Brook Dennard Rosser
    Brook Dennard Rosser
    Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives
    Donna Dozier Gordon
    Donna Dozier Gordon
    Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Americas
    Geoff Edwards
    Geoff Edwards
    Managing Director, Creative
    Rob Edwards
    Rob Edwards
    Writer, Producer, and Filmmaker
    Chima Egbuzie
    Chima Egbuzie
    Marketing Manager
    Chirlie Felix
    Chirlie Felix
    Managing Director
    Lori Goode
    Lori Goode
    Chief Marketing Officer
    Emily Goodson
    Emily Goodson
    Author + Speaker
    Morgan Gregory
    Morgan Gregory
    CEO and Co-founder
    Marisa Grimes
    Marisa Grimes
    Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
    Tahiirah Habibi
    Tahiirah Habibi
    Founder and CEO
    Annie Hanlon
    Annie Hanlon
    Co-founder and Partner
    Stacy Hawkins
    Stacy Hawkins
    Diversity & Employment Practices Consultant and Professor of Law
    Alanna Hernandez
    Alanna Hernandez
    Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Operations, Team Sports
    Chloé Howard
    Chloé Howard
    VP, Strategy Director
    Uchechi Iroha
    Uchechi Iroha
    Associate Creative Director
    Emile Khader
    Emile Khader
    Khader. LLC
    Joe Ligé
    Joe Ligé
    Founder and CEO
    Aubrey Maslen
    Aubrey Maslen
    VP, Head of DE&I Communications & Strategic Partnerships, North America
    George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga
    George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga
    Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    Ronald Méndez
    Ronald Méndez
    EVP, Cultural Investment & Strategy Lead
    Jonathan Njus
    Jonathan Njus
    Senior Program Officer
    James Nmah
    James Nmah
    Founder
    Lukeisha Paul
    Lukeisha Paul
    Head of Inclusion & Impact
    Valerie Irick Rainford
    Valerie Irick Rainford
    CEO
    Jessica Ricaurte
    Jessica Ricaurte
    Chief Revenue Officer
    Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
    Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
    Professor in the Practice of Marketing, Director of Education / Business & Society Institute
    Claudene Roye
    Claudene Roye
    Marketing Program Lead
    Christien Russell
    Christien Russell
    Director, Strategy & Innovation - DEI
    Victoria Russell
    Victoria Russell
    Managing Director, Inclusion & Sustainability Strategy Leader
    Sandra Sims-Williams
    Sandra Sims-Williams
    Chief Business Inclusion, Impact and Belonging Officer
    Judy Smith
    Judy Smith
    Founder & CEO
    Randi Stipes
    Randi Stipes
    Former Chief Marketing Officer
    Brandon Thompson
    Brandon Thompson
    Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
    D’Eric Watson
    D’Eric Watson
    Senior Communications Specialist
    Geraldine White
    Geraldine White
    Founder and CEO
    Alicin Williamson
    Alicin Williamson
    Chief Diversity & Culture Officer
    Danyelle Wright
    Danyelle Wright
    VP, Government Affairs & Social Impact, Employment & Labor Counsel

    Interested in Taking the Stage for BRIDGE26?

    Who should at‌tend BRIDGE26

    BRIDGE26 convenes the leaders driving inclusion as performance across marketing, business, and culture. It's where decision-makers, innovators, and rising talent come together to connect strategy with action — and turn insight into measurable impact.

    You'll be in good company.

    Why BRIDGE26 is Must-Attend

    Top 5 Actionable Strategies

    These global brands, agencies, media companies, and platforms share one belief: inclusion isn't separate from business — it is the business.

    Request an Invite

    Partnering with Purpose

    Designed to Deliver Impact That Lasts

    Every BRIDGE partnership is built around three principles: authenticity, alignment, and action. We create collaborations that move business and culture forward together.

    Your Partnership Delivers:

    • Visibility across pre-, during-, and post-event marketing, social, and press channels.
    • Thought Leadership through main-stage participation, content integration, and co-branded publications.
    • Authentic Cultural Activation that celebrates diversity and connects your brand to lived experiences.
    • Purpose-Driven Alignment — every giveaway, product, and experience supports underrepresented communities or causes.
    • Community Impact that extends beyond the event through measurable initiatives and collaborations.

    For more information on BRIDGE26 Partnership Opportunities:

    Click here

    "We design every partnership to be more than exposure — it's a shared opportunity to lead the change we all want to see."

    — BRIDGE Partnerships Team

    Our 2026 Steering Committee

    Co-Chair
    Lori Goode
    Lori Goode
    Chief Marketing Officer
    Co-Chair
    Randi Stipes
    Randi Stipes
    Former Chief Marketing Officer
    Brianne Boles-Marshall
    Brianne Boles-Marshall
    Responsible Media Lead
    Tony Coles
    Tony Coles
    President, Black Information Network
    Geoff Edwards
    Geoff Edwards
    Managing Director, Creative
    Emile Khader
    Emile Khader
    Khader. LLC
    Victoria Russell
    Victoria Russell
    Managing Director, Inclusion & Sustainability Strategy Leader
    Geraldine White
    Geraldine White
    Founder and CEO
    VEA Newport Beach Logo
    900 Newport Center Drive
    Newport Beach, California 92660
    United States | marriott.com
    • Venue
    • Venue
    • Venue
    • Venue
    • Venue
    • Venue
    • Venue

      Where inspiration meets purpose.

      Set along the Pacific coastline, VEA offers a modern, immersive environment for connection and creativity. The venue was designed to support reflection and collaboration — from ocean-view meeting spaces to wellness sanctuaries and thoughtfully designed gathering areas.

      But VEA's physical beauty is just part of the story. Marriott International is deeply committed to making inclusion foundational — not optional. As CEO Anthony Capuano has said:

      We welcome all to our hotels, and we create opportunities for all — and fundamentally those will never change. The words might change, but that's who we are as a company.

      Within 24 hours of reaffirming that stance publicly, Capuano received over 40,000 messages of gratitude from associates worldwide — proof that when values are lived, they resonate.

      VEA Newport Beach | A Marriott Resort & Spa is more than a space — it's a venue operated by a company that aligns with the BRIDGE ethos of inclusion, trust, and long-term legacy.

      Hotel Reservations

      BRIDGE has secured a special group rate so don't wait to reserve your room using our special room block or call (877) 622-3056 and mention BRIDGE26. To qualify for the special rate, you must book by April 8th!

      Travel Information

      BRIDGE26 At‌tendees

      BRIDGE26 At‌tendees Include

      BRIDGE26 Partners

      gale
      develop-well
      j-crew
      publicisgroupe
      sephora
      davis-gilbert

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