Speaker

Jordyne Blaise

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at bluebird bio

Jordyne Blaise, Esq., is a renowned diversity, inclusion, and equity consultant and strategist. She works with organizations interested in making their vision for equity and inclusion a reality. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in African American studies, and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Jordyne’s expertise in Civil Rights enforcement and diversity change management comes from her work with various companies and organizations including Harvard Law School, NC State University and the District of Columbia Government.

Blaise has been published nationally as a leading scholar-activist in the areas of civil rights, Black feminist legal and social theory, and intersectionality. Her contributions have been featured in The Atlantic, TIME, and Essence. For Jordyne, social justice is an integral part of her professional life, but also highlighted in her public service efforts. She is an active philanthropist and proud milestone member of the Georgetown University Loyalty Society, Board Chair of the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute for Advocacy and Social Action, Board member of St. Louisiens for Haiti, and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has also served as a Commissioner of the City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission, Member of the Georgetown University African American Advisory Board and a volunteer with both the YMCA and YWCA.

Speaker

Dr. Luis Ponjuan

Associate Professor at Texas A&M University

Dr. Luis Ponjuán is an Associate Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University. His research agenda focuses on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity for marginalized groups in public and private institutions. He has spoken at the White House for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, the United States Congress, and Boards of Regents across the nation. He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan, and degrees from Florida State University and the University of New Orleans. He is a Cuban immigrant, naturalized U.S. citizen, and first-generation college graduate.

Speaker

Jillian Hubbard

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant at Jillian Hubbard Consulting

Jillian Hubbard is a consultant specializing in organization development, talent development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Through her work, she supports leaders and organizations to create more inclusive environments and increase their effectiveness by empowering their human capital. Jillian’s work has spanned a variety of sectors, including education, nonprofit, corporate, and government. She has partnered with clients and leaders to develop company-wide diversity initiatives and has facilitated trainings on inclusion and unconscious bias. She has also worked with organizations to implement sustainable recruitment and retention initiatives, develop curriculum for DEI programming, create and integrate organizational values, and develop strategic action plans from talent and inclusion diagnostic surveys.

Jillian is an IDI qualified administrator and a certified life coach. She holds an M.S. in Organization Development from American University as well as a B.A. in Multicultural Studies: Conflict and Cooperation from the George Washington University.

Moderator

Sheila Marmon

Founder and CEO at Mirror Digital

With over 20 years of career experience, Sheila Marmon has remained diligent and steadfast in her passion for creating, operating, and innovating within the digital media industry. As founder and CEO of Mirror Digital, she helps Fortune 500 brands reach the fastest growing U.S. consumer base – the multicultural market. The digital media company has run over 450 campaigns for clients including AT&T, General Motors, Universal Pictures, Intel and others. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Sheila held leadership roles across operations, new ventures, and finance at companies such as Time Warner, Morgan Stanley, and Essence Communications.

Throughout her career, Sheila has been featured in leading publications including the Financial Times, and Media Post; she was also profiled in a cover story for Minority Business Entrepreneur Magazine. Additionally, Sheila has received The Network Journal “Forty Under 40” Outstanding Achievement Award, the Code Breaker Award from Digital Diversity Network, and has been named a Catalyst in Media & Entertainment by the Council of Urban Professionals. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors for The American Advertising Federation, Cate School, and A Better Chance.

Sheila received a B.A. from Princeton University, cum laude and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.  She resides in Los Angeles with her husband Steven F. Heuer.