How incorporating diversity and inclusivity can boost productivity, retention and profitability

Workforce diversity and inclusivity are often overlooked, undervalued, or misunderstood factors in a business’ bottom line success. Our expert panel featuring Malli Gero, Executive Director, 2020 Women on Boards, Gerard Holder, President and Founder of GH Consulting Solutions and Doreen Nichols, SPHR, VP Human Resources, Lenscrafters at Luxottica Retail, North America will demystify these important topics and explain how diversity and inclusivity can create a greater return on investment and more sustainable future for your company at the North Shore Technology Council breakfast event, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 7:00 - 9:00 AM (7:00 AM networking and continental breakfast; 7:45 AM program begins). Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott Street, Danvers, MA. Register for this event at www.nstc.org. The registration fee is $25 for NSTC members and $50 for non-members. E-mail events@nstc.org for more information. Sponsored by Applied Materials.

WHY:

In the words of our panelists:

“Diversity has been shown to encourage better group dynamics, improve decision making, reflect shareholder values and increase corporate profits.  It can no longer be an option.  It is a business imperative.  This presentation will allow you to lend your voice in support of a movement to put more women at the very top of corporate decision making.”  - Malli Gero, Executive Director, 2020 Women on Boards

“Inclusivity and diversity is really about “Ethical Leadership Governance,” How a leader governs oneself has a direct impact on the organization’s productivity, to name one impact and ROI.  Executives and owners should attend because we all harbor hidden biases that impact our ethical leadership efforts.” – Gerard Holder, President and Founder of GH Consulting Solutions

“[Diversity and inclusivity] fills the gap from an aging workforce, enhances a company’s appeal to diverse talent, increases global opportunities, and improves knowledge of how to operate in different cultures.  Diversity and inclusivity increases innovation and problem solving, causing the company to remain agile and flexible.” – Doreen Nichols, SPHR, VP Human Resources, LensCrafters at Luxottica Retail, North America

WHO:

Malli Gero is the Executive Director, 2020 Women on Boards and the principal of Gero Communications, a marketing communications firm. Prior to starting her business in 1984, Malli served as an account executive for public relations agencies in New York and Boston, working in the fashion and design, healthcare, B2B, and leisure industries. Today, she represents clients in the hospitality, healthcare, B2B, and women’s leadership fields.

Malli is an active community volunteer. She currently serves as president of the board of the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation, where she has been a director since 2000. She recently was elected chairman of the board of More Than Words, a social enterprise that empowers youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. Malli is a graduate of Hunter College.

Gerard Holder is President and Founder of GH Consulting Solutions. Gerard is a diversity strategist who has been in the field for over 10 years. He recently released his first book, “Hidden Bias – How Unconscious Attitudes on Diversity Undermine Organizations and What to do About It. He has enjoyed success as a Corporate Human Resources Manager, Interim Executive Director for the National Association of Minority Contractors and is recognized as a State of Rhode Island diversity ambassador.

Gerard has written Affirmative Action Plans, Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures and established Minority Recruiting and Retention Programs. He has lead diversity initiatives and facilitated diversity awareness training in several regions across the United States.

His clients include Lifespan Hospitals, Cintas, The City of Providence and the Department of Administration, State of Rhode Island, Bryant University – Professional Developmental Center. Gerard feels that to create a workplace or academic environment where all are valued can be accomplished through a better understanding of our unconscious and conscious decisions when managing and valuing the differences that individuals bring into the workplace or an academic environment.

His community involvement includes, but is not limited to:  Interim Executive Director of The National Association of Minority Contractors, former board member of the Urban League of RI. Gerard currently serves as a board Vice Chair of the Harmony Hill School Board.

Gerard obtained his Juris Doctorate from Southern New England School of Law and his B.S./B.A. from Northern Arizona University.

Doreen Nichols, SPHR, is VP Human Resources, Lenscrafters at Luxottica Retail, North America. With more than 20 years of expertise in Human Resources, Doreen Nichols, has a solid record in creating, motivating and leading highly effective teams to achieve maximum performance. Her background includes strong employee relations and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Ms. Nichols joining Luxottica, in August 2011, she has held progressive positions from HR Generalist to Director of Human Resources with corporations such as GTE, Prime Computer, Genzyme, IONA and most recently VP Global Diversity and Associates Relations for Staples. Currently, Ms. Nichols is Vice President of the LensCrafters for Luxottica and is responsible for leading the people strategy across the brand, creating an inclusive workforce and ensuring the success of all associates.

About the North Shore Technology Council

The North Shore Technology Council (NSTC) is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization with a mission to be the leading collaborative for fostering technology businesses in Massachusetts' north-of-Boston region.  The council's mission is to build a strong ecosystem for the success of technology businesses North of Boston by facilitating collaboration, networking, professional growth and economic development in a collegial fashion.  The NSTC welcomes the participation of technology businesses, senior executive and employees of technology businesses, entrepreneurs, companies that support technology businesses, academic and governmental units and non profits.  The council is on the Web at www.nstc.org. Its office is at the Cummings Center, in Beverly, Massachusetts. For more information call, 978-335-5234.