Description

Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association

Program Overview 

The Equity in Action Leadership Forum is a dynamic professional development experience designed to equip Human Resources professionals, organizational leaders, and community stakeholders with practical strategies for building stronger workplaces and stronger communities. 

As organizations navigate evolving workforce expectations, changing demographics, accessibility needs, employee engagement challenges, and increasing demands for inclusive leadership, HR professionals are uniquely positioned to influence culture, drive organizational effectiveness, and create environments where employees can thrive. 

Two featured presentations: 

• Collin Gehl, Chief Human Resources Officer at Say Yes Buffalo, opens with Advancing DEIA: Where Do We Go From Here? — covering leadership accountability, sustainable culture change, and what it takes to keep DEIA work moving past the initial commitment. 
• Chuki Naylor, FNP-BC and co-founder of King of Ausome, follows with Autism, Accessibility & Overcoming Barriers. Drawing on her work in autism diagnostics and her own experience as a parent and advocate, she'll cover neurodiversity, accessibility, and what removing barriers looks like in practice.

Executive Leadership Panel Moderator Kenya Hobbs leads a 45-minute conversation with five leaders from HR, nonprofit, education, and healthcare: 

• Jay Marlow 
• Colleen Reedy 
• Patti Stephen 
• Dora Jones 
• Brielynn Bell 

Topics include leadership accountability, employee engagement, and where community partnerships fit into workforce outcomes. 

DEIA Awards Six awards recognize individuals and organizations across Western New York who are moving equity work from intention into practice: 

• The Diversity Leadership Award — for a leader who's expanded representation and built fair pathways to opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds. 
• The Equity in Action Award — for a leader who's tackled systemic barriers and worked to create fair access to opportunities, resources, and advancement. 
• The Inclusion Impact Award — for a leader who's built environments where people feel respected, valued, and able to contribute fully. 
• The Accessibility Advancement Award — for a leader who's championed accessibility and removed barriers for people with disabilities or differing abilities. 
• The DEIA Leadership Excellence Award — the summit's top individual honor, for sustained impact across all four pillars of DEIA. 
• The Pillars of Equity Leadership Award — presented to two organizations (CEO-level) demonstrating leadership across diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 

Cast your vote and help us recognize leaders making real impact.  

Register Here