Less than a week after the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce hosted it’s inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Summit, Gwinnett Young Professionals (GYP) hosted it’s very own “Continuing the Conversation” Summit on May 26, 2021 to dive deeper into the diverse experiences of young professionals in the workplace.
The event began with a guided exercise to allow attendees to get to know each other. That was followed by a panel discussion which offered honest, positive, respectful, open-minded and productive dialogue about diversity, equity and inclusion in today’s society and workplace from a young professionals’ point of view.
PANELISTS:
Nury Castro | Administrator, Georgia Gwinnett College
Nury Lizeth Castro is a dynamic and forward thinker, intentional community builder, and healing agent. Her practice is guided by scholarship, theory, intersectionality, critical consciousness, and principles that center community and social equity. Her natural talent, unwavering tenacity, and ability to center theory-to-practice have allowed Nury to serve in various roles as a university and college administrator. Nury is currently a doctoral student at the University of Dayton and she received a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University.
Janelle King | Founder, Excel Leadership
Janelle King is an I/O Consultant and Certified Life & Leadership Coach. It is her mission to help organizations, teams, professionals, and people reimagine and redesign the way they do life and work through the power of purpose and the science and practice of industrial-organizational psychology. She is currently living out this mission as an I-O Consultant to organizations through her company Excel Leadership, where she creates purpose-driven and engaging cultures for organizations, teams, and professionals to excel and thrive in the workplace. She also serves as a Certified Life & Leadership Coach through her personal and professional development company, Life Designer University, where she coaches women to design a life and career they love.
Cole Porter | Vice President, Porter Steel
Cole Porter is the current Vice President of Porter Steel and past owner of multiple small business ventures. A graduate of the University of Georgia and a lifelong Atlanta native, Cole focuses most of his energy today on facilitating growth, development, and efficiency in his employees, work processes, and business relationships. Additionally, he places a large emphasis on community involvement and integrity in business.
Kam Phillips | Founder, The Kam Phillips Group
Kam Phillips is a certified Life & Leadership Coach and Inspirational Speaker who specializes in developing teens, students, and early career professionals into emerging leaders. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Economics from Emory University and excelling in the corporate world with firms such as ETRADE, AllianceBernstein, and JPMorgan Private Bank, Kam decided to walk away from his career in finance. Kam now uses his gifts to help students and young adults navigate through difficult transitions by providing speaking engagements that positively impact their personal development, emotional well-being, and career trajectory.
MODERATORS:
Jasmine Billings | Community Development Manager, City of Lawrenceville
Jasmine Billings is a vibrant, intentional community builder, passionate about growth in the community through building relationships, developing partnerships, supporting youth advocacy, and strategic civic engagement/awareness. Serving as the Community Development Manager for the City of Lawrenceville, Jasmine is experienced in Event Management and Community Outreach, with a passion for Sport Management. Through connectivity and shared experiences, her drive is to educate and engage with youth and create awareness through workforce development.
Tommy Easley | Ticket Sales Director, Atlanta Gladiators
Tommy Easley is the Ticket Sales Director with the Atlanta Gladiators Professional Hockey Club. He is entering his 5th season with the club where his focus is on business development through season tickets and premium hospitality. Tommy is a current member of the Gwinnett County Young Professionals Board. Prior to joining the Gladiators, Tommy has worked with the Chicago Bulls and Cincinnati Reds.
