Madison Region Economic Partnership & Urban League of Greater Madison to host joint Economic Development & Diversity Summit
PRESS RELEASE: January 30, 2015
In continued partnership, the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) and the Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM) will host a joint event for Madison Region business and community leaders focused on economic development and diversity.
The Madison Region’s Economic Development & Diversity Summit
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 8:30am-4pm
Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
This Summit builds on last year’s inaugural joint event and marries MadREP’s annual State of the Madison Region Summit and ULGM’s Workplace Diversity & Leadership Summit in recognition of the need for authentic collaboration to advance the region’s economy, understand the impact of diversity within business, and improve opportunities for all the region’s citizens.
The day-long Summit will engage, educate, and empower attendees around issues related to economic, workforce, and community development. Aggregate results of the Madison Region Workplace Diversity & Inclusion Survey – a benchmarking tool capturing data about workforce demographics, supplier diversity programs, and community engagement – will also be shared.
“Our continued implementation of the Advance Now Strategy for economic growth demands collaboration in our efforts to make this region, its businesses, and its workforce more competitive,” notes Paul Jadin, president of MadREP. “We are committed to bringing together a diversity of voices from the public and private sectors to address the region’s challenges and leverage opportunities that will ensure the sustained growth of our economy.”
“The partnership between MadREP and the Urban League demonstrates our shared commitment to pursuing economic, workforce, and community development in ways that yield positive outcomes for all the region’s residents,” says Edward Lee, interim president & CEO of ULGM. “We recognize the critical role that diversity plays in business growth, and this Summit marks an important opportunity to engage the community in that conversation.” Featured keynote speakers for the Summit’s plenary sessions include Steve Pemberton, Divisional Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at Walgreen’s; Dr. Julianne Malveaux, a labor economist focusing on the impact of diversity, culture, and gender in 21st century America; and Chris Brassell, a National Director in the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Office of Diversity. Additional speakers for breakout sessions will be announced soon.
Participation from across the eight-county Madison Region is encouraged, with an anticipated audience of hundreds of business executives, community leaders, economic development professionals, educators, elected officials, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders.
Registration is available online now at www.madisonregionsummit.com. Early bird rates ($199 standard/$99 nonprofit/government) are effective through May 1. Sponsorship and group rate benefits are also available.
About the Featured Speakers:
- Steve Pemberton is a Fortune 50 executive at Walgreens, serving as Divisional Vice President and the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer. He previously made history as the first Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion for an Internet start-up while at Monster.com. He also authored a renowned memoir titled A Chance in the World.
- Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and commentator widely recognized for her contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender, and their economic impacts in 21st-century America. She is President Emeritus of Bennett College for Women and holds a PhD in economics from MIT.
- Chris Brassell is a National Director in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Office of Diversity, with 20+ years of diversity & inclusion, human capital, and change & talent management experience. He is recognized as a subject matter expert on cultural transformation, multi-generational diversity, and engaging majority populations in the diversity & inclusion discussion.
About Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP):
Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) is the economic development agency for the eight-county Madison Region with a vision to create a dynamic environment where people and businesses thrive. MadREP’s mission is a five-plank platform, which includes economic competitiveness, innovation & entrepreneurship, human capital, marketing, and leadership & diversity. The Madison Region includes Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk counties. Learn more at www.madisonregion.org.
About Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM):
The mission of the Urban League of Greater Madison is to ensure that African Americans and other community members are educated, employed and empowered to live well, advance professionally and contribute to the common good in the 21st Century. ULGM is committed to transforming Greater Madison into the Best [place] in the Midwest for everyone to live, learn, and work. ULGM works to make this vision a reality through a comprehensive strategic empowerment agenda that includes programs & services, advocacy, partnerships, and coalition building. Learn more at www.ulgm.org.
Contacts:
Edward Lee, 608.729.1211
Betsy Lundgren, 608.443.1961
