Member Webinar: Pride Month 2023

James is a Managing Director and Head of New Partner Development for Seramount’s DEI Research Partnership. In this capacity he is responsible for supporting new partner organizations by setting them up for success in unlocking the value of the membership.

Before taking on the leadership of the New Partner Development team across all industries, James specialized in supporting Seramount partners in Retail, Hospitality and Sports, and also managed the development of Seramount’s Learning Solutions.

Prior to joining Seramount, James has worked within multiple industries across more than 30 countries with experience in technology applications for DEI, IT Accessibility, and advancing health equity and access. Additionally, James spent 10 years overseeing the development of the international research membership at EAB’s former healthcare division in Latin America, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

James resides in Miami, Florida, and in his spare time enjoys kayaking and other water sports as well as teaching HIIT classes.

Miami native Hope Giselle got her start in activism and facilitation while in College at Alabama State University. Helping to found and govern the conservative schools FIRST LGBT organization. Giselle graduated with a BFA, and Masters in Fine Arts as the first openly trans woman to do so at her Alma Matter Alabama State University and hit the ground running with her modern social take on trans and black bodies in public spaces. The author (Becoming Hope:Removing the Disguise) and activist has now founded her own non profit organization (AllowMe) and works with organizations like HRC, freedom for all Americans, and LGBT University to help ensure that the voices of the communities she’s apart of is heard. Giselle is definitely a force the world should be aware of.

Richard Mihalic (he/him/his) is currently a Manager on the enterprise-wide Inclusive Diversity & Equity (IDE) Team at Allstate Insurance Company.  Providing oversight and support for many IDE efforts with Allstate and its family of Companies’ global initiatives, Richard is responsible for the integration of IDE into every facet of the various business areas at Allstate.  Richard also previously served as President of the Allstate PRIDE Employee Impact Group – EIG (formerly known as ERG) and continues to consult with that Team as the Strategy Implementation Director of PRIDE.  Richard has been part of the Allstate family for the last 18 years and is excited to bring his passion and experience leading diverse teams through a myriad of business transformations throughout his career.

Katie Spitzel is a senior project manager at Freddie Mac and co-chair of their Pride Business Resource Group. Katie’s work with the Pride BRG has led Freddie Mac to be a leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion, including founding an LGBTQ+ Enterprise Initiatives committee focused on partnering with HR and DEI to foster LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion in the company. In addition, Katie championed Freddie Mac’s first-ever non-binary and bisexual+ programs, establishing employee-sharing spaces for these underrepresented groups. In 2021, Katie produced Freddie Mac’s first-ever “State of LGBTQ+ Housing Summit,” gathering industry leaders to share their work in equitable housing for the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of the BRG, Katie has experience in technology development, project management, operations, marketing, and communications. They received their B.A. in Communication Studies and Opera Performance from James Madison University.