Over an incredible two days of learning DEI best practices, sharing individual experiences, and strategizing ways to bridge differences in the workplace, members of ELFA gathered in Philadelphia for the Third Annual ELFA Equity Forum. This year’s theme, “Together Towards Tomorrow: Embracing Diversity, Ensuring Equity, and Bridging the Generational Gap,” focused on ways to embrace differences and uncover actions that bring unity to our communities, our workplaces and our industry. At a time in which our country faces division that seems to run through our very core, the ELFA Equity Committee focused this year’s forum around the things that can bring us together and unify us. 

Christianne Garofalo, CEO Americas at Equiida, opened with the first keynote on “Harmonizing Differences: Cultivating Inclusive Habits for Inter-Generational Connection.” She discussed the polarizing differences in generational stereotypes and how underlying morals, ethics and principles can harmonize throughout our multigenerational workforce. Thomas Barnette, Senior Consultant at inQuest, discussed the shared values that bring us together in his session “What Can We Agree On? Building Bridges Through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” He reminded us to be open, curious and listen to understand. In both of these sessions, the presenters drove home the key theme that the ELFA Equity Committee wanted to communicate to our industry: what unites us is stronger than what tries to divide us.

A big thank you to Chris Pinto of Alder Street Collective and Lynne Texter, Ph.D, Professor Emerita at La Salle University, who not only helped facilitate engaging sessions like "The 6 C’s of Inclusive Leadership," "Extend Your Hand, Be the Voice: Mentorship & Sponsorship" and the Fireside Chat, but who also served as the Forum emcees and helped drive participation and engagement throughout the two days. And a special thank you to this year’s ELFA Equity Forum Subcommittee, who helped plan this event, to ELFA Director of DEI Eboni Preston-Laurent and ELFA for helping coordinate, and to each of our speakers and panelists. We couldn’t have done this without each and every one of you.

Throughout the Forum, each session encouraged participation, workshopping and sharing. This mix of speaking and active audience engagement created a safe environment where individual voices could be shared and heard in a professional setting.  

In a time where hatred seems to drown out love and where violence seems to take the place of kindness, remember that we all have unique stories and experiences that shape who we are as individuals and that give us the lens that we use to look at life. Understanding these stories and life experiences will help us empathize with those around us and bring unity to our divided nation. I truly believe that empathy can change the world.

Scenes from the Equity Forum

DelRoy Stauffer leads a session and former Equity Chair Scott Thacker looks on.

Leadership consultant Thomas Barnette presents a session titled “What Can We Agree On? Building Bridges Through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”

ELFA Board Chair Rob Boyer addresses the Forum.

Attendees Keara Piekanski and Beverly Brinkley take a selfie.