Challenge Schedule

Each day is thoughtfully designed to guide you through the DREAM framework—Demystify, Reflect, Envision, Activate, and Maintain—helping you build momentum and drive real progress in your DEI efforts.

Whether you’re joining us live or catching up with the recordings, this schedule will be your roadmap to making the most of this transformative experience.

Get ready to dive in, connect with peers, and take actionable steps towards a more inclusive and equitable future for your organization.

Overview of Week

Live presentations will take place daily from 9am-10am PT / 12pm-1pm ET.

Q&A and Live Coaching sessions will take place daily from 10am-11am PT / 1pm-2pm ET.

Only DEI Advocate and DEI Champion ticket holders will have access to the Q&A/Coaching sessions.

Daily Breakdown

Day 1

DEMYSTIFY

Monday, October 21st

What is DEI really and why does it matter?

We’re kicking off the 5-Day DEI Challenge with a deep dive into the foundational concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Join us for an insightful fireside chat with Jennifer Brown, where we’ll explore what these terms truly mean and why this work is essential for creating an inclusive workplace.

We'll also dive into the critical topic of intersectionality with Zhou Fang. In this session, you’ll learn how overlapping identities shape individual experiences, and how acknowledging intersectionality is key to fostering real equity.

Day 2

REFLECT

Tuesday, October 22nd

Where are you currently on the DEI journey, individually and as an organization?

On Day 2, we’ll focus on reflection—specifically, understanding and confronting our own unconscious biases. In a session led by Dr. Steve Yacovelli, we’ll explore how these biases impact our actions and decisions.

Following that, Dr. Brent Scholar will lead a thought-provoking session on the critical issues of racism, privilege, and systemic inequality in the workplace, showing us how we can break through our personal barriers and become more effective champions of DEI.

Day 3

ENVISION

Wednesday, October 23rd

Where do we want to go? What are we trying to achieve? What does success look/feel like?

Day 3 is all about envisioning a more inclusive and accessible workplace. First, Joana Dos Santos will guide us through the co-creation process, showing us how to develop a DEI vision that includes the voices, ideas, and opinions of everyone the initiative will touch.

Then, Dr. Jennifer Sarrett will lead a session on Universal Design for DEI, where you’ll learn to apply universal design principles to intentionally create a workplace that’s not only inclusive but accessible for all.

Day 4

ACTIVATE

Thursday, October 24th

Who will be involved? What will we do? How will we get there?

On Day 4, we’ll focus on activating your DEI strategies and bringing others along in the process. Dr. Jen O'Ryan will facilitate a session where we’ll explore how to overcome challenges, work through resistance, and avoid burnout as we activate our DEI initiatives. You’ll leave with practical strategies to bring your organization along on the DEI journey.

In addition, Sharitta Marshall will guide us through the essential steps of building DEI councils and ERGs, helping you develop these key structures that drive cultural transformation and long-term success.

Day 5

MAINTAIN

Friday, October 25th

How will we ensure sustainability? What metrics should we measure?

On the final day of the challenge, we’ll focus on how to maintain your DEI efforts over the long term. Kari Heistad will lead a session on the importance of choosing the right metrics, how to measure them effectively, and how to use data to sustain and improve your DEI initiatives. Kari will also tie together all the lessons from the week, providing you with actionable strategies to ensure your DEI work continues to thrive well into the future.

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