Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Better World and Better Workplace for All
The topic of racism and racial injustice in America is a very serious and sensitive topic – one that cannot and should not be avoided. As leaders in our communities, we owe it to ourselves and others to get information, gain insight and take appropriate action to ensure a better world and a better workplace for all.
We will discuss how we as HR professionals can better represent and support our employees, employers, and communities to ensure equality for those in the black and brown community.
Join our three panelists as we discuss racism and racial injustice in society, education and employment.
To submit questions for the panel in advance, please email to: daphne.volunteer@gmail.com as soon as possible. Panelists will answer as many questions as they are able during the event.
The panel includes (in alphabetical order):
Adelene Greene
Adelene's Bio:
Adelene was employed with Kenosha County government for 27 years in several management level positions, including as an Economic Support Supervisor, as the first Kenosha County EEO Coordinator and as Director of Workforce Development. She retired in December 2016 after serving for 16 years as the Director of Workforce Development, where she managed personnel, programs, budgets, contracts and operations in one of the largest divisions of Kenosha county government. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in African-American Studies from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Cardinal Stritch University.
Throughout her professional career, Adelene has been actively involved in various community events and initiatives. She has led the Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism for 24 years, mentored Kenosha Unified School District students for over 16 years, has served as an officer of the Kenosha NAACP, participates as a Board member of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America (ELCA) Outreach Center, the Jane Cremer Black Women’s Health initiative, the annual Kenosha African American Read-in held during Black History Month, the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), chairing the SEWRPC Environmental Justice Task Force for 12 years, the Kenosha Relay for Life team raising funds for American Cancer Society, the Susan B. Anthony Awards committee, and the annual Kenosha Kindness Week committee.
In 2010 Adelene started a socially conscious book club for African American women, called SISTARS, concentrating on literature written by Black female authors. Most recently, she has launched another book club called “Rainbow Voices” that includes people of all races, ages and backgrounds who will come together to read and discuss books about the Black experience and the history of institutional racism in America, with the hope of raising awareness, engaging people in meaningful conversation to promote understanding that leads to systemic changes. She believes that real change will occur when people are well informed, intentional about diversity and work together to make inclusion a priority.
In 2017 she became part of a local women’s group, “Women Empowered”, whose primary focus was to empower, engage, encourage, and elect more women to political office. Adelene is past recipient of the Gateway Technical College Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award (2000), the Kenosha NAACP Freedom Fighter Award (2003), the Susan B. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), the Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Living Legend Award (2011), the Racine/Kenosha Urban League Economic Development Award (2014) and Wisconsin Social Services Association President’s Award (2016).
Dr. Michele Hancock
Michele's Bio:
Dr. Michele Hancock has served successfully in a myriad of educational roles throughout her career in public education securing national and local recognition as an innovative change leader. From PreK-8 classroom teacher to formal teacher leadership (mentor teacher, co-facilitator of teacher run school, literacy and curriculum specialist) and administrative roles (secondary school vice-principal, elementary principal, chief of professional development &diversity, chief of human capital initiatives, school superintendent).
She has led district leaders, school leaders, faculties and staff, parents, and students to collaborate to transform schools by mapping common grounds on effective engagement between all stakeholders. Currently, she works as a professor in higher education to strengthen teacher education programs. Additionally, Dr. Hancock is a national consultant (MH Consulting, LLC) and delivers expertise as a presenter on district/school leadership, human capital initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusive work environments.
Dr. Hancock continues to envision possibilities of endless learning and improvement through appealing to shared aspirations.
Kristin Malek
Kristin's Bio:
Kristin Malek is the Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity at CDW. In this capacity, she drives CDW’s strategies to achieve supplier diversity objectives. She is responsible for CDW’s $2+ Billion Dollar annual Supplier Diversity spend initiatives. Kristin is the architect of the CDW’s diverse supply chain which today is defined as more than 1100+ suppliers that serve the needs and offers solutions to CDW and their customers.
She is a member of the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council ( NMSDC) , Board Member of the Chicago Minority Supplier Diversity Council, Women's Business Enterprise National Council, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) and TIG ( Technology Industry Group ), sharing her voice and best practices on inclusive business strategies. Kristin in 2019 was named by Diversity Professional one of the country’s TOP 25 Women Impacting Supplier Diversity.
Under Kristin’s leadership at CDW; the supplier diversity program at CDW has been named a finalist for Corporation of the Year with NMSDC in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, the supplier diversity program was named the Best of the Best Supplier Diversity Programs for veteran owned businesses.
This session has been approved for SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) and HRCI re-certification credits.
