OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT - Business. Diversity. Inclusion. 2024

The public is invited to attend the OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT - Business. Diversity. Inclusion. hosted by Grow Cedar Valley and Wartburg College on Wednesday, October 30 at Bien VenU Event Center (7400 Hudson Road in Cedar Falls). This annual event is dedicated to exploring the exciting talent and market potential of the Cedar Valley's diverse community. As our region and the nation become ever more diverse, we’re facing both challenges and incredible opportunities. Grow Cedar Valley and Wartburg College are teaming up to present an event packed with inspiring keynote presentations from top national and regional experts, plus a panel of local business leaders. Thank you to our Premier Sponsor Veridian Credit Union.

MORNING KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Claudia Schabel,  Founder, President & CEO - Schabel Solutions, Des Moines, IA
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Eric M. Ellis, M.A, President & CEO - Integrity Development, West Chester, OH


Claudia Schabel
Claudia is the Founder, President, and CEO of Schabel Solutions, with over 20 years of dedication to social justice and DEI advocacy. Originally from Brazil, she lived and worked in Japan before moving to the U.S., where she earned a BA in International Relations from Drake University.

Claudia's approach as a DEI consultant is enriched by her extensive experience in DEI and HR, particularly with Fortune 100 and 500 companies, and her multicultural background. She offers consulting, training, and coaching services in DEI and cultural competency.

Claudia has served on various boards and councils, including the Iowa SHRM State Council as Director of Diversity, Grand View University Board of Trustees, and the National Small Business Association’s Leadership Council. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, such as Business Record’s 2024 Business Leaders You Need to Know and the 2023 Iowa State University Ivy College of Business Woman Business Owner of the Year Award.

Claudia lives in Des Moines with her spouse and COO, Brad Schabel, and their playful English Golden Retriever, Stormy.


Eric Ellis
Ellis is President and CEO of Integrity Development Corp., a full-service management consultancy providing strategic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) solutions. An innovator and thought leader, Eric has over thirty years of experience in DEI strategy and facilitation. His collaborations with senior leadership, HR professionals, and internal DEI practitioners produce sustainable results, transforming organizational cultures into people-centered workplaces that inspire employee engagement and a sense of belonging. Eric has assisted some of the world's most admired companies in developing and implementing innovative DEI solutions, building cultures of respect that lead to higher employee performance and better business results.
 
Eric was named one of the Top 100 DEI Experts in the World by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and serves on SHRM's Inclusion & Diversity Expert Panel. He is also SHRM's Subject Matter Expert for their newly designed Inclusive Workplace credential. Eric is known as a master communicator and was named "Cincinnati's Diversity Fixer" by The Cincinnati Enquirer. An award-winning entrepreneur, Eric received Ohio's Minority Business of the Year recognition and the NAACP President's Award, in addition to many other accolades.
 
Eric is a singer/songwriter, and the author of Diversity Conversations. He hosts a weekly podcast named after his book, which can be found on Apple, Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.

PANEL FACILITATOR: Joy Briscoe – Executive Director, One Cedar Valley
PANELISTS:
Dan Jansen – Board Chair, Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce
Gina Weekley – Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Waterloo Community Schools
Jamie Norton – Director of Veteran Workforce Services, IowaWORKS
Kameron Middlebrooks – Iowa State Organizer, REFORM
Karin Rowe – Executive Director, House of Hope
Sherri Seegers – Director of Mission Services, Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, Inc.
Traci Dolan – Director of Operations, Image Pointe

EXHIBIT TABLES:
Family YMCA of Black Hawk County
Four Corners Coalition
Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, Inc.
House of Hope
Inclusion Connection
Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates
IowaWORKS
One Cedar Valley
One City United
REFORM
World Grace Project

For questions about sponsorships, contact Bonita Cunningham, Director of Events & Sponsorships at bonita@growcedarvalley.com.