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Join the Greater Houston Partnership during Global Diversity Awareness Month for the second annual Houston NEXT: An ERG Summit on Friday, October 4, 2019. 

To reflect Houston's unique position as the most diverse city in the nation, the Partnership is hosting the Houston NEXT: An ERG Summit with a focus on corporate culture and talent.  Join business leaders, HR executives, diversity and inclusion officers and ERG leaders for thoughtful conversations on building diverse and inclusive workplaces. Casual dress recommended.

Attire: In honor of the Astros game we encourage you to dress in your Astros gear or Friday Business Casual. 

11:45 AM - Luncheon & Corporate Culture Focus15s* Speakers: 

• Kris Gilot, General Manager, Houston Region Operations, Insperity 
• Cara Baez, HP, Inc.
• Karen Hume, MPA, Workplace Mental Health Consultant, Co-Host, International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership 

*Focus15s, coined by SXSW, are short solo presentations featuring the wisdom and experience of the community. Focus15s are linked by a shared theme, topic or trend, with each group of presentations taking place in a one-hour time block.

1:45 PM - Corporate Culture Design Thinking Session with Accenture Design Thinkers

Attendees will be divided into small groups for the Design Thinking Sessions. Each group will discuss one of the following corporate culture topics: 

• Office Life 
• Flexible Schedule & Commuting 
• Mission Driven Work 
• Mental Health & Wellness
• Work-Life Integration
• Reviews & Recognition

3:30 PM - ERG Best Practices Panel: 

• Benjamin Foster, Regional Vice President of HR, HCA Houston Healthcare
• Wil Lewis, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Senior Vice President, Bank of America
• Juan Suarez, Managing Director, Deputy General Counsel, Southwest Airlines 
• Moderator: Eddie Robinson, Morning News Anchor, Houston Public Media