Corporate and Law Firm Diversity

Washburn Law's Diversity Committee is pleased to host a symposium on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, that will:

  1. Highlight the issue of lack of diversity in the upper echelons of corporations and law firms;
  2. Discuss strategies and plans for greater hiring and promotion of people from diverse backgrounds in corporations and law firms and greater presence on corporate boards; and
  3. Provide support, guidance, and mentorship for students and new attorneys from diverse backgrounds.

This symposium is free and open to the public. In-house counsel, law firm associates and partners, diversity personnel, law and business students, corporate directors and officers, and anyone interested in creating diverse business environments are especially encouraged to attend.

"Corporate and Law Firm Diversity" will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center at SW 17th Street and SW Jewell Avenue on the Washburn University Campus (map). Free parking is available south and west of Bradbury.

Key Sponsor

Washburn Law recognizes the Key Sponsor for this symposium and appreciates its support.

Logo of symposium key sponsor: Colgate-Palmolive Company and Hill's.
Visit Colgate-Palmolive and Hill's websites.

Symposium Schedule

Speakers and times subject to change.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

8:00 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – Welcome and Acknowledgements

Photograph: Thomas Romig. Photograph: Janet Thompson Jackson.

  • Thomas J. Romig, Dean and Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law
  • Janet Thompson Jackson, Diversity Committee Chair and Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law

8:40 a.m. – Keynote

Photograph: Delano Lewis.

  • Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Eugene Kelly, Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Worldwide Director, Global Workplace Initiatives, Colgate Palmolive (not pictured)
  • Delano Lewis, '63, Board of Directors, Colgate-Palmolive, and former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa [About Ambassador Lewis]

9:25 a.m. – Panel 1 - Diversity Matters: Increasing Diversity on Corporate Boards

Photograph: Delano Lewis. Photograph: Steven Ramirez. Photograph: Marc Howze. Photograph: Norma Juma.

  • Introduction of Panelists: David Sollars, Dean and Professor of Economics, Washburn University School of Business (not pictured)
  • Delano Lewis, '63, Board of Directors, Colgate-Palmolive [About Ambassador Lewis]
  • Steven A. Ramirez, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and Director of the Business Law Center, Loyola University of Chicago School of Law [About Dean Ramirez]
  • Marc A. Howze, Vice President, Global Human Resources, John Deere [About Mr. Howze]
  • Moderator: Dr. Norma Juma, Associate Professor of Management, Washburn University School of Business [About Dr. Juma]

10:30 a.m. – Break: Sponsored by Washburn University School of Business, MBA Program

10:45 a.m. – Panel 2 - Diversity in Leadership

Photograph: India Boulton. Photograph: Rhonda Mason. Photograph: Ramona Palmer-Eason.

Photograph: Judy Yi. Photograph: Aida Alak.

  • Introduction of Panelists: Amy Deen Westbrook, Kurt M. Sager Memorial Distinguished Professor of International and Commercial Law and Co-Director of Washburn University School of Law Business and Transactional Law Center (not pictured)
  • India Webb Boulton, '99, Senior Counsel, Sprint Corporation [About Ms. Boulton]
  • Rhonda Mason, '96, Managing Attorney, GEICO [About Ms. Mason]
  • Ramona Palmer-Eason, Group Counsel - Global Employment, Benefits, Compensation & Retail Law, Payless ShoeSource [About Ms. Palmer-Eason]
  • Judy Yi, Shareholder, Polsinelli PC [About Ms. Yi]
  • Moderator: Aïda Alaka, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law [About Dean Alaka]

11:55 a.m. – Networking Lunch. Sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive Company & Hill's Pet Nutrition

1:20 p.m. – Panel 3 - The Secrets of Top Performers

Photograph: Werten Bellamy. Photograph: Marc Howze. Photograph: Jimmie McMillian.

Photograph: Donald Prophete. Photograph: Michelle Wimes.

  • Introduction of Panelists: Sisi Hannibal, Professional Development and Inclusion Manager, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Kansas City, Missouri) (not pictured)
  • Werten F.W. Bellamy, President, Stakeholders, Inc. [About Mr. Bellamy]
  • Marc A. Howze, Vice President, Global Human Resources, John Deere [About Mr. Howze]
  • Jimmie L. McMillian, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP [About Mr. McMillian]
  • Donald S. Prophete, Partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP [About Mr. Prophete]
  • Moderator: Michelle P. Wimes, Director of Professional Development and Inclusion, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart [About Ms. Wimes]

2:30 p.m. – Break: Sponsored by Washburn University School of Business, MBA Program

2:45 p.m. – Panel 4 - How to Advance Diversity in Your Workplace

Photograph: Koriambanya Carew. Photograph: Susan Hamilton. Photograph: Patrick Woods. Photograph: Glenda Washington.

  • Introduction of Panelists: Cristi Allen, Director - Corporate Communication and Community Investment, Payless ShoeSource (not pictured)
  • Koriambanya (Kori) S. Carew, Director of Strategic Diversity Initiatives, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP [About Ms. Carew]
  • Susan Hamilton, Chief Diversity Officer (Retired), CSX and Legal Counsel, Springboard Consulting [About Ms. Hamilton]
  • Patrick Woods, Director of Talent Management and Diversity, Westar Energy [About Mr. Woods]
  • Moderator: Glenda Washington, Vice President, Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development, GO Topeka Economic Partnership (Chamber of Commerce) [About Ms. Washington]

3:55 p.m. – Appreciations

  • Thomas J. Romig, Dean and Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law
  • Janet Thompson Jackson, Chair of Diversity Committee and Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law

4:00 p.m. – Reception: Sponsored by Go Topeka

4:45 p.m. – Symposium Adjourns

WIBW interviews Delano Lewis and Janet Thompson Jackson at the symposium. Read transcript at WIBW website.

General Information

Date and Location
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Washburn University
Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center

General Inquiries

Janet Thompson Jackson
Diversity Committee Chair and Professor of Law
janet.jackson@washburn.edu
(785) 670-1637

Media Contact

Shelia Summers
Director of Marketing Communications
shelia.summers@washburn.edu
(785) 670-1784