ERGs: A Retailer’s Strategic Advantage

Katie Oertli Mooney is a Managing Director at Seramount. She is an accomplished DEI leader and thought partner with expertise in driving strategy and growth of diversity and inclusion change management, planning and programs. Prior to joining Seramount, she was responsible for overseeing the client delivery, staffing, operations and growth as Vice President of Jennifer Brown Consulting. She was accountable for the firm’s successful consulting project delivery to clients from the Fortune 1000, government agencies, startups, to nonprofits.

Prior to that, she managed the DEI enterprise learning and development strategy at Capital One specializing in differential investment programming to support historically underrepresented talent and communities of color. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the GSBA; the largest LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce in North America and is supporting the organization in 2020, by advancing diversity, equity and inclusion for the Board of Directors, for the benefit of GSBA staff, members, partners and the LGBTQ+ and allied community of Washington State. Katie has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management with a concentration on Diversity and Inclusion Management from Georgetown University. She is based in Seattle, WA.

Calla Devlin is the managing director of Open to All, where she convenes the nonprofit sector with businesses to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Calla has nearly 20 years’ nonprofit experience creating and implementing national and state-level communications and public education campaigns focusing on discrimination and civil rights. She has worked extensively in coalitions, including with civil rights groups, businesses, labor unions, faith leaders, and advocacy organizations. She started her career in the book and publishing industry, where she specialized in news-driven marketing and communications campaigns that positioned authors as experts, addressing such topics as Islamophobia, the freedom to marry for LGBTQ people, and religious tolerance. An accomplished author, Calla’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities, Master of Arts degree in Fiction, and a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Beverly Passos is a forward-thinking and dedicated professional specializing in workplace culture and DEI. With a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from New York University and a stellar academic record, Beverly brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as Global Diversity & Inclusion Specialist at Capri Holdings Limited.
Beverly’s experience in DEI underscores her ability to drive initiatives that cultivate inclusive cultures while optimizing people operations. Her approach to strategic implementation and diversity is not just about meeting the immediate needs of an organization; they are about laying the groundwork for sustained success and growth.

Tshombe is the deputy director for Open to All, where he manages the program’s educational offerings, from the monthly briefing series to the Mitigate Racial Bias in Retail Working Group to the annual convening. For nearly two decades, Tshombe worked in nonprofit community development creating opportunities for the underserved to improve their lives and strengthen their communities. He has extensive experience directing the evolution of impact programs that build sustainable change. Tshombe is a certified (PMP) Project Manager Professional and holds a master’s in organizational development.