SPEAKERS

Mr. Todd Swartz serves as Assistant Head of School for Human Resources and Operations at Providence Day School, a TK-12th grade college preparatory school in Charlotte, N.C. Todd has been with PDS since 2005.

Donna Williams is the founder and CEO of Victory Bound Consulting. Her business promotes and creates innovative solutions to strengthen diversity, inclusion, and cultural competencies. She leads and develops teams through effective communication, teambuilding and collaboration.

Flyty & Jacinda met as in-arena hosts for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. They have hosted the NBA All-star together as well as a slew of national events. This dynamic duo is the most sought-after husband and wife co-host team out there.

John Alston is a 37-year veteran of Emergency Management. He is a certified Executive Coach, Trainer and Behavioral Analyst. As a First Responder to the World Trade Center, on September 11, 2001, John witnessed leadership and courage on a grand scale which impacted his life forever.
For the last five years, John has served as

Ms. Koval earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Arts in Sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA. Her concentration area in Sociology is Social Inequality and Sociology of Gender.

As a vision engineer, Monifa is dedicated to moving individuals and teams from “I hope to be,” to “I AM!” Since 2015, Monifa has served as a principal consultant for L.E.A.D. ² (Lead Square) which has allowed her to operate in her passion of developing, encouraging and coaching people through theory, training, and simply sharing

Dr. Veleka S. Gatling, has committed her life to seeking opportunities for educators and community members to achieve excellence in their fields of expertise, while promoting equity. With over 27 years in public education, Dr. Gatling has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director of special and gifted programs,

Dr. Meg Gibson is a results-driven Diversity, Inclusion and Organizational Development professional with more than twenty-five years of extensive experience in diversity and organizational training and development within a multi-site leadership role. Her abilities include being adept at facilitating peak performance training and other diverse organizational development strategies to measurably enhance individual and organizational success.

Lieutenant Michele “Shelly” Meister started her Law Enforcement career in 1999 as the first female on a nine-person department in rural Pennsylvania. She built incredible relationships with her brothers in blue, but she craved more opportunity. In 2002, she transitioned into the Virginia Beach Police Academy and moved through the department in various positions to

Dr. Derek Greenfield is a nationally recognized thought leader, speaker, educator, and activist committed to inclusive excellence and positive change with 30 years of experience as a difference maker. A former youth worker and tenured college professor, he most recently served as Vice President for Student Engagement and Campus Life as well as Chief Diversity

Dr. Portia Rawles is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, who offers traditional psychological services along with training, speaking and consultation services

Aleea Slappy Wilson is the City Of Norfolk’s first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. In this role she is driving Norfolk’s efforts to dismantle structural barriers and create true access and opportunity for residents and business owners. Aleea leads Norfolk’s newest department designed to advance equity in Norfolk through institutional strategies and external programming

Jeremy Johns is a Firefighter and Paramedic with Norfolk Fire-Rescue in Norfolk, Virginia. He has been a firefighter for fifteen years, six years with York County Fire and Life Safety, and nine years with Norfolk Fire-Rescue.