September 2022 DEI: From Talk to Action Event Photos
Photos from the September 15 DEI: From Talk to Action event, held at the Manchester Country Club. Photos by Jodie Andruskevich.
A culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is becoming essential for both recruitment and retention. But it’s not as simple as changing the language in a job ad. Our speakers will highlight key aspects of DEI as it applies to recruitment and retention:
The event will feature short talks on each of these points by a variety of speakers, a series of audience workshop table discussions and an expert panel discussion at the end to help explore topics raised by the table discussions.
Tom Raffio has served as president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental since 1995. Before joining the company, he was senior vice president of Delta Dental of Massachusetts and director of group healthcare management reporting at John Hancock Insurance. Tom spearheaded the creation of the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, which supports oral health programs each year by investing several hundred thousand dollars. He is an engaged civic leader, serving on numerous boards and has authored several publications, including “Prepare for Crisis – Plan to Thrive.” He earned an undergraduate degree at Harvard University, an MBA from Babson College, and designation as a Fellow of the Life Management Institute.
Ryan joined Northeast Delta Dental in 2021 as the Director of Human Resources. He was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources in early 2022. Before that, he was the Director of Human Resources at McLane Middleton and Pioneer Behavioral Health. In his current role, Ryan is responsible for leading Northeast Delta Dental’s overall human resources strategy, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, cultural development, compensation and benefits, recruiting, strategic and succession planning.
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut and also holds two professional HR certifications, SHRM-CP and HRCI- PHR. Alongside a successful 20+ year career in Human Resources, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Manchester Area Human Resources Association, and serves on the Rivier University Advancement Committee as well as the President’s Circle Council. He is also an Ice Hockey Coach at Windham High School. Ryan lives in Hudson, NH, with his wife and 2 children.
Alberto Ramos was named Plymouth State University’s chief diversity officer and director of diversity, equity and social justice in 2022, becoming the first to serve in this role for the University. Ramos arrived from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System where he has served in various roles, including adjunct faculty member, diversity and equity success specialist, and chief diversity officer.
Ramos works closely with senior leadership to revise and develop University policies and procedures, including developing, supporting, and advancing the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice as a
Ramos, is bi-lingual in English and Spanish, holds a master of arts degree in teaching English as a second language, with a teaching English as a foreign language emphasis, a bachelor of arts in travel and tourism and communications studies from St. Cloud State University, and a professional certificate in leading for inclusion and racial justice from Antioch University.
As the founder and president of Sanborn Diversity Training Solutions, LLC, Rebecca Sanborn provides LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for businesses and nonprofits. Rebecca believes education is one of the most powerful tools we possess for improving society and advancing human rights, and she lives that through her work. Prior to launching Sanborn Solutions, Rebecca practiced law for 17 years in New Hampshire. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, as well as a Diversity and Inclusion Professional Certificate and a Certificate in Advanced Employee Relations, both from Cornell University’s ILR School. Rebecca also has the privilege of serving on several nonprofit boards in her community. She resides with her spouse and her mother in Derry.
Aura is the Director of People & Culture at Lavallee Brensinger Architects overseeing all people, culture, HR and safety aspects there. An influential, strategic business professional with broad understanding of people and business environments, Aura loves to translate opportunities into action to drive strategy, process improvement, employee experience, engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion, communication, financials, technology, and organizational mission. During her career, Aura has had multiple roles within operations, loss analysis, finance, training, and human resources. Outside of work, you can find Aura with her husband, family and friends. Aura also serves as the Director Programming at the Diversity Workforce Coalition, as the Treasurer at the Manchester Area Human Resources Association, as an Advisor at the Student Advisory Board at Granite State College, and actively serves at other non-profit organizations. She received her Masters of Science in Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Granite State College and holds several certifications, including DDI-Certified Facilitator from Development Dimensions International, and Human Resource Management Certification from the University of New Hampshire.
Thank you to our diversity, equity and inclusion advisors for sharing their expertise in helping to shape these events.
Aura Huot
Director of People and Culture
Lavallee Brensinger Architects
Rebecca Sanborn, J.D.
President/Founder
Sanborn Diversity Training Solutions, LLC
Zaineb Haider
Senior Advisor for Diversity Equity & Inclusion
Cigna
James McKim
Managing Partner
Organizational
Ignition
About this event: The three-part program featured a keynote presentation from Christa Kirby covering “Emotional Intelligence: The Bedrock of Inclusion.” Then, participants dived into guided table discussions, exploring DEI challenges and successes they’ve encountered in their own workplaces and lives. The event culminated in a panel discussion featuring top DEI professionals from NH businesses as well as the DEI consulting world responding to helping illuminate the issues raised in the panel discussion.
September 2022 Event Panelists:
About this event: Proven research demonstrates that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a powerful driver for business performance and innovation. But what does and should DEI mean to business owners and operators? At this event, business leaders will develop an enhanced understanding of what DEI is from a business perspective, how it can improve organizational performance as well as practical steps they can take away to create a powerful, creative, innovative and supportive culture.
Topics covered included:
This three-part program featured an opening overview from James McKim, managing partner at Organizational Ignition and author of the new book, “The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance.” Then, a panel of consultants specializing in DEI and moderated by Lisa Carter, owner of Drinkwater Marketing, dived into a broad overview of the field as seen across their many clients in New Hampshire and beyond. Finally, a panel of DEI officers from New Hampshire companies, moderated by Zaineb Haider, Senior Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisor at Cigna, shared their practical experiences in leading their companies’ DEI efforts.
May 2022 Event Panelists:
The September 2021 workshop, led by experts in the DEI field, including business owners, helped companies just starting to work on diversity principles and those who are already strongly invested, improve their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) foundations.
After a panel discussion from our experts, attendees had the opportunity for an honest discussion and set the agenda for a follow-up meetings, giving companies executing changes to share their process and results.
Event Panelists:
The event was moderated by Lisa Carter, Founder / Chief Engagement Officer of Drinkwater Marketing & Productions
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact Ernesto Burden for details.