Symposium: Diversity & Inclusion
Virtual Agenda
8:00am | LGBTQ 101 Training
Alesha Schandelmeier
Learn...
- What all these letters stand for
- The difference between sexual orientation & gender identity
- The pronouns & how to use them
- Tips to become a better ally
9:15am | Workplace Inclusivity & Allyship
Ellie Krug
Understand...
- That being an "ally" isn't enough to promote inclusivity
- The value of being curious & the need to self-educate
- The ground rules for productive, safe Courageous Conversations
11:00am | Embracing the Beauty & Barriers of Bias
Alonzo Kelly
Practice...
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
Meet Your Speakers
Alesha Schandelmeier
Executive Director of the Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection
Alesha Schandelmeier is a mother of three, artist, photographer and activist. She grew up in Northern Illinois and was living in the Chicago area prior to moving to Wisconsin in 2004. Alesha has a vast amount of professional experience, working in a wide variety of industries. She decided to return to school in 2011 and studied Psychology at Viterbo University. Alesha started facilitating GALAXY (high school youth group) in January 2013 and joined the board shortly after. She served as Vice President of The Center’s board of directors and chairperson for the Outreach and Events Committee until she was hired as our Director of Outreach in June 2016. Alesha was at the forefront of our expansion and was then offered the position as our new Executive Director in July 2018.
Ellie Krug
Founder & President, Human Inspiration Works, LLC
In 2009, when she was a civil trial attorney in Cedar Rapids with 100+ trials, Ellen (Ellie) Krug transitioned from male to female; she later became one of the few attorneys nationally to try jury cases in separate genders. The author of Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change (2013), Ellie has trained on diversity and inclusion to court systems, law firms, Fortune 100 corporations, and colleges/universities on nearly 1000 occasions. A hopeless idealist, Ellie has presented her inclusivity training, Gray Area Thinking®, across the country. In 2016, Advocate Magazine named Ellie one of “25 Legal Advocates Fighting for Trans Rights” and in 2019, OutFront Minnesota conferred Ellie its Legacy Award. She is also a monthly columnist for Lavender Magazine and Minnesota Women’s Press, and a weekly radio host on AM950 radio. Her monthly e-newsletter, The Ripple, reaches 9000+ readers and can be found at www.elliekrug.com. Ellie presently lives in Minneapolis and is the founder and president of Human Inspiration Works, LLC (www.humaninspirationworks.com).
Alonzo Kelly
A dynamic Executive Coach, Professor, 3x Best Selling Author, and Radio Host, Alonzo Kelly has gained international and global attention as a premier consultant and strategist.
He holds a bachelor’s in Accounting, three master’s degrees (Public Administration, Human Resource & Labor Relations, Business Administration), and is nearing completion of a PhD in Multidisciplinary Human Services. He is also currently in the process of obtaining his Doctorate in Business Administration.
He currently serves on the State Board of Directors for the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), National Board of Directors for SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted), and the Fire and Police Commission for the City of Howard, WI. Find more at www.alonzokelly.com.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
If you'd like more information on Sponsoring an upcoming meeting visit: https://lashrm.wildapricot.org/Sponsorships
