“Strategic Leadership in Action: Advancing DEIB for Organizational Excellence”
For the first time at GLADC a Keynote Initiative Team has been developing an innovative collaboration, creating an even more impactful keynote session for this year’s event.
This year’s Keynote will feature local thought leaders who will deliver dynamic presentations followed by an interactive strategy workshop session designed to engage all attendees and participating organizations.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, and actionable strategies for fostering inclusion, diversity and innovation within your workplace and community!
Register today to secure your spot and be part of this inspiring event!
Don’t wait! Last year’s registration was sold out in just a couple of weeks!
You are a leader that fosters a more equitable and supportive workplace! Join us for our most important event of the year!
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Keynote: Blueprint for Progress: Embedding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging into Leadership Strategy
Amrita Prakaashana (she/her)
Mayo Clinic Director – Nursing Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity (EID) | Department of Nursing (DON) – Enterprise
Amrita Prakaashana is the Nursing Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity Director at Mayo Clinic, with over a decade of experience in diversity recruitment, human resource development, adult education, transformational coaching, intercultural training, strategy development, project management, and dialogue facilitation. She works toward creating a culture and community where differences are embraced, where people can be their most authentic selves and feel a true sense of belonging. Amrita lives in Rochester MN with her family. She is an artist who enjoys creating with metal and collaborating with others to teach, learn, and create art. She seeks out opportunities where she can combine her passion for DEI and her passion for art to support her community.
Dr. Carolyn Colleen (Bostrack) (she/her)
Life & Business Strategist Founder, Fierce Foundation
Dr. Carolyn Colleen a dynamic force for women’s empowerment, fuels their potential globally. As the visionary founder of the FIERCE Foundation, she equips underserved women with life skills for financial independence and dream pursuit. A passionate advocate, she champions STEM education at Acton Academy Midwest and amplifies women’s voices as a Commission of the Status of Women UN delegate.
Dr. Carolyn’s diverse Journey encompasses authorship, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. A “Miracle Morning” practitioner, she embodies resilience and purpose, leaving a lasting impact through her work and life.
Amanda Florence Garcia Goodenough (she/her)
Dedicated educator and leader for 20 years.
Amanda Florence Garcia Goodenough (she/her/hers) is a dedicated educator and leader with 20 years of experience in justice, equity, decolonization, and interconnectedness efforts. She is the Lead Executive Office (LEO) and founder of Goodenough Consulting, LLC. Amanda has a strong background in promoting belongingness, disrupting structural inequities, and advancing intersectional social and racial justice.
Key Roles and Contributions:
- Goodenough Consulting: Equity and Justice consulting, coaching, and speaking
- Social Responsibility Speaks: Team Member of a national agency focused on equity, inclusion, and justice
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: Former Director of the Research and Resource Center for Campus Climate
Melanie Yrjo, M.H.A (she/her)
Mayo Clinic Vice Chair of Administration Operations, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Melanie Yrjo is the Vice Chair of Administration Operations in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic with over twenty years of laboratory and leadership experience. She holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. Melanie is also the administrative partner for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Mayo Collaborative Services and serves on the Mayo Clinic Rochester Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Executive Committee where she aims to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Melanie is a mother of two sons, a Mayo Clinic Hospice volunteer, and a volunteer with the American Red Cross.
The Leadership Blueprint:
Building Inclusive Teams for Lasting Impact
Quartell “Q” Roberson (he/him)
With a dynamic career spanning leadership roles in education, coaching, and governance, Quartell “Q” Roberson is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has built a distinguished career in education, coaching, and leadership. With experience as a board president, head coach, and educator, he has served as both a teacher and leader of an alternative education program, empowering students at risk. Q also served as the Cultural Liaison for the School District of La Crosse for two years, advocating for diversity and inclusion. Now, as a building administrator, he leads his team with a collaborative, student-centered approach, fostering a culture of inclusivity, continuous learning, and shared responsibility to ensure the success of both students and staff.
Creating workplaces that Support, Empower, and Retain Caregivers
Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, Ph.D. (she/her)
JVD Consulting, LLC
Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves is a coach, consultant, writer, and former professor. With a doctorate in History, Dr. Vandenberg-Daves served as Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse until 2023. Her current career coaching and consulting work build on more than twenty-five years of experience in higher education, non-profit leadership, authorship, teaching, and mentoring. Jodi brings research-based and real-world applicable strategies to women of diverse backgrounds who want to take ownership of their career journeys. She also helps organizations build a more diverse leadership pipeline, create cultures of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and value the work of caregivers and all those doing the work of emotional labor and social transformation.
Dr. Vandenberg-Daves spent three years of service as the Executive Director, Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council (2015-2018), where she provided leadership for the Council’s efforts to create diverse and inclusive workplaces and communities. Jodi currently empowers high-potential women through her online course, “Unlocking Your Leadership Potential.” She also works with UW-Madison’s Continuing Studies program, teaching a course on mentoring for DEI as part of the Management Division’s Inclusive Leadership Certificate and a course on promoting women’s leadership in the human services through the Behavioral Health division. She is a research affiliate of the Center for College-Workforce Transitions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the author of two history books, including Modern Motherhood: An American History (Rutgers University Press, 2014) and a book of poems. She is currently working on a book titled Work That Matters: A Guide to Careering for Idealistic Women.