9:30 AM to 9:45 AM
*Chair Candice Eberhardt
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Speaker:
Eric Alva, Iraq War Veteran, LGBTQ Rights Activist & Diversity Advocate
Retired Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva shares his powerful story of coming out as a gay man in the armed forces as well as his ardent advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The first American soldier injured in the Iraq War, Eric was hailed as an American hero. While he lost his leg in combat, his spirit remained stronger than ever — upon retirement, Eric came out as gay. As a former spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, he played an instrumental role in the repeal of the military’s "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gay, lesbian and bisexual service members, working with members of Congress to end the discriminatory practice.
As a gay man, disabled veteran, and U.S. citizen of Hispanic and Native American heritage, Eric knows about overcoming obstacles and navigating complex intersectionality. Drawing on his battle for equality in the military on behalf of the LGBTQ community, he discusses how that experience supports the momentum for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and how a commitment to equality attracts talent, builds a sense of belonging, and creates a competitive advantage.
Eric’s overall story of courage and triumph over adversity inspires audiences to create change by doing the right thing, stand up for what they believe, and make the world a better place for those who deserve to be treated with dignity.
*Chair Eberhardt/Vice
*Chair Casper
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Discussion Leader:
Tiffany Lobertini
Panel:
Akiko Miyamoto
Lydia Pope
Monique Winston
*Chair Eberhardt
11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Speaker:
Anthony F. Forte | Columbus Ohio HUD Field Office Director
*Chair Eberhardt/Vice
*Chair Casper
12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
12:45 PM to 1:00 PM
Speakers:
Sharon Sample, RCE, Vice President Board Services & Leadership Development
Sandy Naragon, RCE, Professional Standards Administrator
*Chair Eberhardt/Vice
*Chair Casper
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Speaker:
Johnny Crowder, Resilience, Wellbeing and Mental Health Exper
The founder and CEO of the globally-utilized, positive psychology startup Cope Notes, Johnny Crowder gives audiences practical self-care tools and mental health strategies that people can start using now to improve their emotional health and well-being. With infectious positivity, humor, and authenticity, this trauma survivor and Certified Recovery Peer Specialist shows audiences why talking about mental health topics is key to coping, and why the most resilient organizational cultures proudly prioritize and support mental health for all.
But in the years leading up to these incredible leaps in advocacy, every day was a battle against schizophrenic hallucinations and suicidal ideation. After a lifetime of resisting professional care and shying away from sharing his story, Johnny’s curiosity flowered, and the healing slowly began.
Armed with 10 years of clinical treatment, a psychology degree from the University of Central Florida, and a decade of peer support and public advocacy through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Johnny’s youthful vigor for mental health has impacted millions of lives across the globe.
Since his first keynote in 2011, Johnny's refreshingly vulnerable and candid perspective has attracted praise from hundreds of outlets, including Upworthy, CNN, and Forbes.
Even when commanding a virtual stage or touring with his metal band, Prison, his infectious positivity and firsthand experience with multiple mental illnesses (ranging from bipolar disorder and PTSD to OCD and beyond) uniquely equip him to provide realistic, yet hopeful insight into the pains of hardship with authenticity, levity, and unconventional wit.
*Chair Eberhardt/Vice
*Chair Casper
2:15 PM to 3:15 PM
Speaker:
Dorothy Botsoe, DB Consulting and Training, Inc.
*Chair Eberhardt/Vice
*Chair Caspe
3:15 PM to 3:30 PM