Developing a Diverse Workforce: Moving from Vision to Action

On behalf of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, it is our pleasure to extend a warm welcome to you at our second annual conference, "Developing a Diverse Workforce." We are thrilled to have you join us for a transformative session as we transition from exploring the WHY to delving into the HOW of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Today's gathering marks a crucial step in moving from Vision to Action.

Our seminar is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of various workforce development challenges. Going beyond discussions on race, we will be addressing age differences, neurodiversity, and the significant role of mental health in shaping a resilient workforce. Our overarching goal is to guide you in embracing and including EVERYONE while celebrating the unique strengths that differences bring to your team.

This year's hands-on session is specifically crafted to offer practical solutions that can seamlessly integrate into your workforce development plan. A lineup of dynamic and expert speakers has been carefully selected to ensure that you leave with tangible insights and strategies that can be immediately applied in your professional endeavors.

Your participation in this important conversation is invaluable, as it not only benefits you and your business but also contributes to the growth and prosperity of our great county. Together, let us explore and implement the strategies that will shape a more inclusive, diverse, and thriving workforce.

Dan DeBone

9:15-10:00 AM Keynote Speaker - Aaron Allen

12:15-1:00 PM

1:00-1:15 PM

MEET OUR Keynote Speaker

Aaron J. Allen

AaronJ.Allenisalawenforcementofficer,professor,andconsultant,who valuesserviceandeducationtoimproverelationshipswithinhiscommunity.

AarongraduatedfromChowanUniversityinNorthCarolinawitha BachelorsDegreeinCriminalJustice.Shortlyafter,hewentontoearn hisMastersDegreefromPointParkUniversityinCriminal JusticeAdministrationandManagement.

AnativeofGreensburg,Pennsylvania,AaronattendedthePennsylvaniaState PoliceAcademyin2015.Upongraduation,heworkedinthepatrolunitfor approximatelyfiveyears.AaronhassinceservedasaFirearmsInstructor, FieldDrivingInstructor,FieldTrainingOfficer,ChildCarSeatTechnician, SchoolBusInspector,PACICIntelligenceOfficer,De-EscalationInstructor, DiversityandInclusionInstructor,AlternateCommunityServiceOfficer, andRecruitmentCoordinator.

AaronwasrecentlypromotedtoCorporalandiscurrentlyservingasaHeritage AffairsLiaisonOfficerwiththePennsylvaniaStatePolice,OfficeofCommunity Engagement.AsaHeritageAffairsLiaisonOfficer,Aaronworkswithlocal,state, andfederalagencieswherehemonitors,oversees,andrespondstohatecrimes, biasrelatedincidents,andanyincidentsthatdealswithracialtensionthroughout theCommonwealthofPennsylvania.ThegoalofthePennsylvaniaStatePolice, HeritageAffairsOffice,istoimprovecommunityrelationsandbuildpositive relationshipsbetweenlawenforcementandthecommunity.

Usingreal-worldexamplesandexperience,Aaronbringsauniqueperspectiveto hisroleasadjunctprofessoratWestmorelandCountyCommunityCollege, UniversityofPittsburgh,andSaintVincentCollegeintheCriminalJustice Department.AaronalsoteachesatthePennsylvaniaMunicipalPoliceAcademy heldatRobertMorrisUniversityandIndianaUniversityofPennsylvania.

Aaron’scareerhasbeenamodelofservicerecognizedwithseveralawardsand recognitionatthefederal,state,andlocallevel,includinganNAACPAward, DepartmentofJustice-UnitedStatesAttorneyAward,and2020Westmoreland CountyCommunityCollegeDistinguishedAlumnusAward.

Morning Breakout

Dr.MichaelJ.Urick

MULTIGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Dr.MichaelJ.UrickisDeanoftheAlexG.McKenna SchoolofBusiness,Economics,andGovernmentat SaintVincentCollege.Overthepastseveralyears,he hasbeenquotedbytheBBC,WallStreetJournal, andothermediaoutlets.

Urick’spublicationsarerelatedtoimproving intergenerationalcommunicationintheworkplace, understandingconflictatwork,andleveraging organizationalculturetobeaneffectiveleader.In additiontodozensofarticles,Urickhasauthored,coauthored,oreditedeightbookswithtwomoreinthe works.Hehaspresentedhisresearchonfour continents.Heisalsotheeditorofthe“Exploring EffectiveLeadershipPracticesthroughPopular Culture”bookseriesfromEmeraldPublishing aswellasanassociateeditorfortwo internationalacademicjournals.

Morning Breakout

Oscar Porras

CREATING INCLUSIVE PATHWAYS: PRACTICAL STEPS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO EMBRACE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

OscarPorrasstartedhiscareerinthecreditunionindustryover 20yearsago.Hehasprimarilyworkedwithcommunitymembers ofmodestneeds,creditunionprofessionalsofdiverse backgrounds,andimmergingmarketswithafocusontheHispanic communityinOregonandCalifornia.Thatexperiencehasled OscartoHumanideiasaSeniorConsultantforDiversity,Equity, andInclusion.Porrashasexperienceinbranchoperations,lending, andcommunityoutreach.Ineachofhisroles,hehashelpedcreate, develop,andimplementproductsandservicesthathavehelped guideimmigrantcommunitymembersandthoseofmodestmeans intomainstreamfinancialservices.

Fromworkingwithyouth,professionals,andboardmembers, Oscarisdrivenbythebeliefthateveryonedeservesan opportunity.Thecreditunionindustrywillserveasacatalystfor diversity,equity,andinclusionbypurposelyandintently providingopportunitiesfordifferentideas,opinions,andlived experiences.Creditunionswillcontinuetogrowandstayrelevant bybecomingareflectionofthecommunitiestheyserve.Oscarisa certifiedInternationalCreditUnionDevelopmentEducatorand hasalsoreceivedacertificationfromGeorgetownUniversityin AdvancingDiversity,Equity,andInclusionintheWorkplace.

Morning Breakout

Catherine Hughes

TECHNOLOGY RESPONSIVENESS TO EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS WITH DISABILITIES

HailingfromasmalltownsoutheastofPittsburgh,Pennsylvania, dubbed"themostboringtowninPennsylvania,"CatherineHughes isthedaughteroftwoEnglishprofessors.Sheisapassionate advocate,innovativestoryteller,andcommunitystrategist.

Fortwentyyears,shehasprovidedcomprehensivesupportand passionateadvocacytoindividualsandself-advocates,their families,andsurroundingnaturalsupportthroughouttheir communities.Sheconsidersherselfaservantleader,onewho cultivates,develops,andmaintainsrelationshipswithgraceand grittocreate,enhance,andpromoteservicesandprogramsthat transformlives.Onapersonallevel,hercalling(notacareer) allowshertogivebacksomeofwhathassograciouslybeengiven toherfamily.SheproudlyservesastheDirectorofFamilySupport andCommunityEngagementatAchievingTrueSelf,supporting familiesacrosstheNortheasternU.S.Catherineisaninternational best-sellingauthorand/oreditorofovertwentybooks.Herlongawaitedmemoir,ImprisonedNoMore:AMotherandSonEmbrace AutismandJourneytoFreedom,wasreleasedinAugust2020. Catherinehasalsomanagedablogandsocialmediaplatformsas TheCaffeinatedAdvocatesince2018.

Livingwithherinthat"boring"(ok,it'snotactuallyboring)town andverymuchnotboringhouseholdareMamaBetty,Christian, andtheirpetsCallie,Cookie,Candie,Hannah,Maddie, andRaventheCats–yes,sixcats.

Recovery Friendly HIRING PANEL

Rob Hamilton is a person with lived experience and an active member of the recovery community. Rob's commitment to service includes efforts to end veteran homelessness.

Recognized with awards such as the Salute Our Heroes Recognition and the Dr. Cyril Wecht Western Pa Humanitarian Award, Rob brings a wealth of experience and empathy to his mission of bridging the gap between government and community service organizations in Westmoreland County.

Tim Phillips has been in the field of alcohol, tobacco and other drug treatment and prevention since 1988. He is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (C.A.D.C.) Certified Forensics Counselor, SBIRT (Screening & brief intervention to treatment) and a NAADAC Recovery Coach. Tim’s list of organizations and accolades are incredible.

To name a few, Tim presently serves as a board member of Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA), Balance and Restorative Justice Committee (BARJ), and Professional Recovery Organization Alliance (PRO A). He is the Chair of SWPA Harm Reduction Coalition and a founding member of the Young People in Recovery (YPR) Pittsburgh Chapter. He spreads the message to local students, is a regular participant at the Greensburg Reality Tour Drug Prevention program and a regular contributor/trainer to Sage’s Army.

TimPhillips DIRECTOR

DEPTOFCOMMUNITY RELATIONS&PREVENTION WESTMORELANDCOUNTY

RobHamilton DIRECTOROF HUMANSERVICES

WESTMORELANDCOUNTY

Moderated By

A United States Force Veteran who served from 2009 to 2014, Carissa is currently pursuing her dual master’s in social work and business. She studied military culture and Appalachian culture while pursuing her bachelor of science in sociology. She is a certified recovery coach and has multiple certifications in veteran recovery training.

In 2011, Carmen Capozzi founded "Sage's Army," a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals struggling with addiction. Named after his beloved son, Sage's Army became Carmen's lifeline to healing and a beacon of hope for countless others. Sage's Army set out on a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, provide education on addiction prevention, and offer support to those seeking recovery. Through community outreach programs, Carmen and his team worked tirelessly to combat the stigma surrounding addiction and foster a compassionate environment where individuals could seek help without judgment.

Prior to joining Westmoreland Community Action, Dan served as the Executive Director of Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity and The Global Switchboard. Dan holds a Masters of Public Administration and Juris Doctor both from the University of Pittsburgh. He lives in Crabtree on a small hobby farm with his wife, two children, and a plethora of indoor and outdoor animals. In his free time he enjoys hunting, backpacking and generally just exploring new and amazing outdoor places.

CarissaSnedden

DanGiovannelli VPOFADMINISTRATION

WESTMORELAND

CarmenCapozzi FOUNDER&EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAGE’SARMY

PROGRAMCOORDINATOROFSOUTHWESTERNPAPARTNERSINRECOVERY COLLEGEOFARTSANDSCIENCES,CARLOWUNIVERSITY

Afternoon Breakout

INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP

MariaisistheChiefExecutiveOfficerofPhepleFederalCredit UnioninGreensburg.ShehasbeentheChiefExecutiveOfficerof thecreditunionforthepasttwenty-twoyears.Thecreditunion currentlyservesover16,000memberswith$120millioninassets.

MariaservesontheBoardofDirectorsfortheCommunity FoundationofWestmorelandCountyandtheWestmoreland CountyChamberofCommerce.Shehaspreviouslyservedonthe BoardofDirectorsfortheCreditUnionNationalAssociationand theNationalCreditUnionFoundation.Inaddition,shehas servedontheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureauCredit UnionAdvisoryCouncil,ChairofthePennsylvaniaCredit UnionAssociation,andChairofthePennsylvania CreditUnionFoundation.

Mariareceivedhermaster’sdegreeinbusinessadministration andabachelor’sdegreeinscienceinbusinessmanagement, bothfromPointParkUniversity.

MariaresidesinMurrysvillewithherpartner,Keith.She hastwobeautifuldaughters,CiaraandSelena,and afive-year-oldgrandson,R.J.

Maria A. LaVelle

Afternoon Breakout

INCLUSIVE HIRING POLICIES & BEST PRACTICES

TrentCollinscurrentlyservesasaSenior DiversityRecruiteratDuquesne University.Heworkswiththestrategical planningondevelopingbestdiversity practicestorecruitfacultyandstaff.

Hisresponsibilityalsoincludesteaching diversityclasses,employeerelationsand antidiscriminationwork.Trentholdsa Diversity,Equity,&inclusioncertificate fromCornellUniversityandisalso pursinganMBA.

Trent Collins

Afternoon Breakout

UNDERSTANDING AUTISM & HIRING NEURODIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS

Angelaisanorganizationaldevelopmentleaderwith15yearsof professionalexperiencesupportingindustriesrangingfromsocial servicetomanufacturing.Herpassioniscreatingeffective workplacesbasedonpsychologicalsafety,whichhelp organizationsfulfilltheirmission.Shehasspentthelast 5yearsfocusingonDEIinitiativestoincreaseemployment opportunitiesforneurodivergentindividuals.

AngelaisaSocietyforHumanResourcesManagementCertified Professional(SHRM-CP)andhasaBachelorofSciencein PsychologyfromtheUniversityofPittsburgh.Sheisalsoa PredictiveIndexCertifiedPractitionerandholdsaCertificatein StrategicHRManagementfromCornellUniversity.

AngelaenjoysspendingtimeexploringDisneyparks withherhusbandBryanandtheirtwokids.Shealso lovestoreadandisalwayslookingforthenextgreatbook.

Angela D. Kiger

Afternoon Breakout

LTH IN THE WORKPLACE

MichelMarieKellerisproudmotheroffourchildren (3-daughters/1-son)anda‘Mimi’of4granddaughters. ShegraduatedfromPennTraffordHighSchoolandearned herBachelorofScienceDegreeinPsychologyfromthe UniversityofPittsburghatGreensburg.

ShewashiredastheVicePresidentofEducation&Workforce DevelopmentforthePrivateIndustryCouncilof Westmoreland/Fayette,Inc.(PIC)in2020.Sheisresponsiblefor theoversiteofPICYouthPrograms,ITDepartment, DADSMATTERProgram,YouthRe-EntryProgram,adult educationintheWestmorelandCountyPrisonand EARNProgram,aswellastheTitle1staffatthePA CareerLink®inWestmorelandandFayetteCounties.

MichelisacurrentAmericanRedCrosscertifiedCPR/AED/First AidInstructor,aNationalCouncilMentalHealthFirstAid Instructor,andPennsylvaniaMandatedReporterInstructor. SheissohonoredtobethePittGreensburgAlumniPresidentfor the2023-2025termandpartofthePittsburghJobCorp CommunityRelationsBoard.

Michel Keller

2024 CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Allison Womer & McCrae Martino

Community Foundation of Westmoreland County

Carlotta Paige

Westmoreland Diversity Coalition

Carol Palcic

YWCA Westmoreland County

Dorsey Cox

Educated Athletes First

Dr. Anthony Kane & Dr. Jeff Mallory Saint Vincent College

Judy DeWitt

Westmoreland County Community College

Heather Gibas, Mandy Zalich & Toni Antonucci

Westmoreland Community Action

Maria LaVelle

PHEPLE Federal Credit Union

Michel Keller

Private Industry Council

COPPER SPONSORS

TheYWCARacialJusticeChallengeisdesignedto creatededicatedtimeandspacetobuildmore effectivesocialjusticehabits,particularlythose dealingwithissuesofrace,power,privilege,and leadership.TheChallengeworkstofosterpersonal reflection,encouragesocialresponsibility,and motivateparticipantstoidentifyandactonwaysto dismantleracismandotherformsofdiscrimination.

AREYOUREADYTOTAKETHECHALLENGE?

Thisyear’scampaignwilltakeplacethroughouttheentiremonthofApril,withtheYWCA RacialJusticeChallenge,acriticalcomponentofthecampaign,runningApril1–29.Joinusall monthlongaswehighlightYWCALocalAssociationeventsandinitiativestoinspireand engageournetworkofactivists,advocates,andalliesandadvanceracialjustice together

ScantheQRcodeorvisit ywcawestmoreland.orgtolearn moreaboutthismovementand sign-uptotakethepledge

WestmorelandCounty

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