Inclusive Innovation Conference, June 5

We are bringing together professionals and leaders from across corporate, startup, higher education, and other non-profit sectors to drive innovation and shape the workforce of the future.

Featured Presenters

Inclusive innovation

URI College of Business, Tribe Academy to host inaugural Inclusive Innovation Conference

The University of Rhode Island College of Business and Tribe Academy will host the inaugural Inclusive Innovation Conference Wednesday, June 5, on URI’s Kingston Campus, convening about 200 of the region’s corporate, startup, nonprofit and education innovators to discuss how to build a more inclusive future.

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AGENDA for JUNE 5 Conference

9:00-10:00 am Registration/Expo & Networking

10:00-11:15 am Welcome

Dr. Sean Edmund Rogers, URI College of Business

Keynote Speakers

How I Became A Citizen Developer and Why You Should Too
Alison Bologna, Social Entrepreneur, NBC News

More than Words: How We Can Empower Indigenous Communities
Silvermoon LaRose, Tomaquag Museum

Featured Leadership Panel

  • Inclusive Leadership in the Public Sector
  • Markeisha Miner, URI Community, Equity and Diversity
  • Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island
  • Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Economic Progress Institute
  • Dr. Sean Edmund Rogers, URI College of Business
  • Christian Cowan, URI Research Foundation

11:15-11:45 am Expo & Networking

11:45 am-12:30 pm Breakout Sessions (choose one)

Future Technologies: Partnerships, Products. Policy, Predictions Ballroom

  • Florcy Morisset, Accenture
  • Pete Rumsey, 401TechBridge/URI Research Foundation/RISEUP
  • Vanessa Alvarez, Microsoft
  • Jeff Wilhelm, Infused Innovations
  • Meredith Carroll, Small Business Bank
  • Ingrid Hoogendoorn, FM Global

Designing Inclusive Systems, Atrium 1

  • Paola Fernandez, Centreville Bank
  • Adesuwa Igbineweka, Suffolk University
  • Allori Fernandes, JARC Rhode Island
  • Kevin Matta, United Way of Rhode Island
  • Kirtley Fisher, URI College of Business

Empowering & Investing in Diverse Startups, Atrium 2

  • Annette Tonti, RIHub
  • Jasmine Bacchus, Microsoft
  • Daniela Fairchild, RI Commerce
  • Tom Sperry, Rogue Venture Partners
  • Dr. Dhvani Badwaik, URI College of Business

12:30-1:30 pm Lunch & Speakers

Dr. Jacqueline Christophe-Hayot, URI College of Business

Keynote Speakers

Microloans, Mega Impact
Dr. Ezenwayi Amaechi Ejiribe, Micro Enterprise Social Entrepreneurship, Johnson & Wales University

Fostering Equitable and Inclusive Design with Play
Carlos Dominguez, DEPT

Dr. Ruby Roy Dholakia Memorial Award

1:40-2:30 pm Breakout Sessions (choose one)

Women in Leadership, Ballroom

  • Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island
  • Dr. Christy Ashley, URI College of Business
  • Tuni Schartner, Rhode Island’s Economic Gardener
  • Tracy Baran, Ocean State Job Lot
  • Jay Placencia, Bank of America

Developing an Inclusive Workforce, Atrium 1

  • Eduardo (Ed) Naya, Skills for Rhode Island’s Future
  • Cristina Barreira, Ocean State Job Lot
  • Shruti Jain-Lynch, Dell Technologies
  • Dr. Mayrai Gindy, URI College of Engineering
  • Tamara Tardy, UiPath
  • Teresa Truong, TEKsystems

Building Healthcare for All, Atrium 2

  • Emerson Foster, Takeda
  • Patricia Holliday, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
  • Melissa Bowley, Flourish Care
  • Rena Sheehan, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
  • Ali Jobe, Cleo

2:30-3:00 pm Expo, Networking, Women Innovators Meetup

3:00-4:00 pm Featured Leadership Panel

The Business Case for Inclusion – Industry Perspectives

  • Emerson Foster, Takeda
  • Lisa Ranglin, Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA)
  • Ayomi Gomes, Talent, DEI & Communications Executive
  • Rebecca Twitchell, half full, llc
  • Talia Brookshire, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
  • Nishita Roy-Pope, Tribe Academy

Keynote Speaker
The Future of Work: Robotics, Florcy Morisset, Accenture

4:00-4:30 pm Networking

 

Event MCs: Nishita Roy-Pope and Florcy Morisset
Special video remarks from Gina Raimondo, US Secretary of Commerce