Chevy Cleaves is the inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory. Chevy is an experienced and transformational executive leader skilled in building and influencing coalitions to help further connect the application of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) to an organization’s core strategy and goals.

As the inaugural CDIO for the United States Air Force, Chevy was also a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service. In this role, he was responsible for leading D&I transformation for the Air Force’s 500,000 uniformed and 140,000 civilian workforces.

Chevy was previously the first Global CDIO for Boston Scientific where his team’s efforts immediately improved benchmarking results while
identifying markets where lines of business could be further penetrated to increase topline earnings.

Prior to this, Chevy was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to lead the Air Force Academy Admissions Directorate, where he was also selected as the first CDO. He presented their tremendous results to the Congressional Tri-Caucus and the Military Leadership Diversity Commission, leading to widespread acclaim from senior Air Force and Congressional leaders.

Chevy retired from active duty after a career as an instructor pilot, commander, and strategist. He commanded a deployed total force KC-135 squadron, was the lead T-38 Evaluator Pilot for the B-2 Bomber Initial Cadre selection process and also played a critical role in the response to 9-11 as the lead Checkmate (USAF Strategy Division) team chief. Chevy has an MS in strategy and planning from the National Defense University (Joint Advanced Warfighting School), an MA in human resource development from Webster University, and a BS in basic sciences from the Air Force Academy,
and is a Cornell University Certified Diversity Professional / Advanced Practitioner. He is the recipient of multiple awards and decorations, including the 2023 CIO Views Most Prominent Leader in Diversity and Inclusion, the 2021 Mass Technology Leadership Council Mosaic Award and the Defense Superior Service Medal. His team was also recently recognized with the 2021 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award from the North American HR Executive Summit.

Dr. Cori Bazemore-James, Seneca Nation, serves as Assistant Vice Provost of the Graduate School Diversity Office and Affiliate Faculty in the Higher Education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is also a Consultant/Trainer for Strategic Diversity Initiatives. Cori received both her Ph.D. in Higher Education and M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Georgia, and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Dakota. She has worked in many functional areas in higher education and has served on several local and national boards and leadership roles. Cori’s research centers Indigenous Knowledge to support and magnify the work of Indigenous students and staff in historically white institutions. Her proudest professional accomplishments include publications from her award-winning research, founding the ACPA Indigenous Student Affairs Network, and leading the development of the first Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) standards for Indigenous Student Affairs.

Javier is thrilled to be making a difference in the healthcare space, where his career in diversity, equity, and inclusion began. His expertise and insight in DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) are informed by a long personal and professional history of turning adversity, inequity, and exclusion into forces of change and opportunity, especially for the underserved and underrepresented.
His corporate career encompasses the technology, telecom, finance, health care, and health sciences sectors. He has worked for companies such as Takeda, T-Mobile, Amazon, Biogen, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Bank of America, the TJX Companies, and Business for Social Responsibility.
His work includes several firsts and leading-edge practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Most recently, Javier introduced My Inner Compass inclusive leadership program, became a founding member of the Latino DEI Collective, and has joined the advisory boards of Pride in the Workplace, Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA), and Novo Nordisk’s Fit for the Future Research and Early Development.
He is the proponent of the “inclusionist mindset,” an appeal to individuals, teams, and organizations to proactively identify and act to close diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility gaps wherever they appear. Other notable achievements include the Multiple Sclerosis program for underserved patient populations (MS-UP), tax benefit equality for same-sex couples, women’s leadership programs, transgender healthcare benefits, the Biodiversity Leadership Fellowship, and Raising the Bar Women on Corporate Boards.
Among his recognitions are Color Magazine’s Top 50 Chief Diversity Officers, the Boston Business Journal’s Leaders in Innovation Award, Harvard Medical School Biomedical Career Sciences Program’s Honor Roll, the National Center for Race Amity, and GK100’s Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in Greater Boston, and Boston’s Whittier Street Health Center Men’s Health Champion. Javier earned his MBA from Boston University, a graduate certificate in Diversity Management from Cornell University, and a bachelor’s degree in law from Universidad de Costa Rica. In addition, he is a coaching graduate of the Augere Foundation and Coaches Training Institute in Barcelona, Spain.
In his spare time, Javier loves traveling, watching independent films and theater, hiking, nature walks, and visiting his country of birth, Costa Rica.

I’m a proud Cuban American, born in Panama, with a passion for connecting and empowering communities. For the past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of working at AAA-The Auto Club Group, where I’ve been able to contribute to our mission in meaningful ways. One of my most rewarding accomplishments is being a founding member of our Hispanic/LatinX Employee Resource Group (ERG). This initiative has allowed me to support diversity and inclusion within our organization, creating a platform for cultural exchange and advocacy.

Richard Brookshire is a multi-hyphenate storyteller and reparationist working at the intersection of politics and culture. A nationally recognized political communications strategist known for creating impactful social campaigns, Richard is also a former U.S. Army Combat Medic and veteran of the War in Afghanistan. He is the co-founder and CEO of the Black Veterans Project – an organization driving legal strategies, research, public education and multi-media storytelling to make reparations for Black veterans and their families real.

Richard’s writing has been featured in TheGrio, The Root, and AfroPunk, and his commentary and work have been highlighted by The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS Newshour, CNN, NBC News, NPR, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. He holds an MPA in Urban and Social Policy from Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs and a BA in Political Science from Fordham University. He spent his freshman year at Morehouse College before enlisting in the military.

Recognized as ‘One to Watch’ by The Haitian Roundtable in 2017, named one of Native Son’s 101 ‘Black Gay Men Who Make An Impact’ in 2020, he is the recipient of the 2022 Veterans Justice Award by Senator Richard Blumenthal and the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center and the 2024 Unsung Hero Award by Black Veterans for Social Justice. Richard is currently Creative Producer for ‘Just Call Me Lucki,’ a forthcoming documentary about a soldier’s attempt to stop the worst military intelligence failure in American history, selected as a finalist for The Stay Indie Project. He resides in Washington D.C.

Nathalie Gerschtein leads thousands of diverse and talented L’Oréal employees who are passionate about embodying L’Oréal’s global purpose: to create the beauty that moves the world. She is the first woman to lead L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division (CPD) in North America.

As president of the largest division in the L’Oréal Group’s North America Zone, Nathalie is responsible for accelerating growth, innovation, and sustainable practices across its mass market portfolio of brands and product categories from skin care and makeup to hair care and hair color in the United States and Canada. This extensive portfolio includes some of the most trusted and iconic brands including L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline New York, Garnier, and NYX Professional Makeup, in addition to Essie, Thayers Natural Remedies, Carol’s Daughter, and Softsheen-Carson.

Nathalie began her career with L’Oréal through the company’s management trainee program. Two decades later, Nathalie has led a variety of businesses within the L’Oréal Group across Europe, Asia, and North America. She has played a pivotal role in transforming the beauty industry, including her notable contributions at L’Oréal India and then L’Oreal Thailand, first as Consumer Products Division general manager and then as Country Manager and CEO.

In her most recent role as president of CPD USA, Nathalie spearheaded the acceleration of the Division, driving continued outstanding momentum and gaining market share in L’Oreal’s number one subsidiary.

In 2022, Nathalie was awarded the Women’s Leadership Achiever Award by Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW), a renowned international organization that acknowledges and celebrates the most accomplished female executives in the beauty industry. She is the first non-American leader from L’Oréal to receive this prestigious award in the USA. She also serves on the organization’s Board of Directors.

Nathalie also sits on the Board of Directors for DermTech, an American publicly listed biotech company with a mission to transform dermatology – a natural fit for a professional deeply committed to transforming skincare and improving people’s lives.

Through an appointment by the French Prime Minister, Nathalie has also been serving as a French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF) since 2016.

Nathalie is a graduate of HEC School of Management in Paris, the London Business School, INSEAD’s senior executive leadership program, and Harvard Business School executive education program.

She currently resides in the New York City area with her husband and daughter.

An award-winning entrepreneur and accomplished Wall Street executive, Yesi Morillo is a TEDx speaker, author, business strategist, and power igniter, focusing on helping others reach their fullest potential.

Yesi currently serves as a Senior Vice President at Citi, working as a
Talent & Diversity Advisor, curating and implementing a global strategy for the organization’s Hispanic/Latino population. She also provides expertise, guidance, and support for the Hispanic/Latino Inclusion Network.

Yesi is a prominent voice in shaping the narrative around positioning Citi as an employer of choice, serving as a subject matter expert in the design and deployment of diversity-focused initiatives across the firm; and provides support and guidance in measuring the effectiveness of programs and initiatives both within and external to the firm. In this role she manages multiple stakeholders and takes a consultative approach in informing and developing a global diversity strategy.

Prior to rejoining Citi, Yesi embarked on a sabbatical to focus on recalibrating life, travel, spend time with her sons and redefine self-agency – a practice she teaches others and strongly encourages individuals to pause for. This time afforded Yesi to align her purpose and experience for her next career; and rediscover her passion for creative writing and professional dancing (she won her initial first place award in competitive Salsa in 2021).

Yesi began her career at Citi in 1996 as an administrative assistant, and successfully navigated the space to ultimately become an executive Director in Capital Markets, where she served as the Head of Proposal Management and Investor Relations, managing a trillion-dollar bid proposal portfolio and an institutional investor framework, as well as various key business control and technology initiatives. In 2012, Citi recognized Yesi as one of twenty high potential women, making her a part of the firm’s distinguished Development Talent Program (DTP), which focuses on developing the organization’s future leaders. Her team’s technology proposal of chip/pin for the bank’s cards was implement by the organization in 2013.

Her soul work, outside her career, is as founder of Proud to Be Latina, an organization created to help Latinas banish self-doubt and break self-imposed barriers. A professional leadership and development firm, Proud to Be Latina focuses on helping women navigate the corporate space through impactful, action-driven platforms and programs, including the Latina Empowerment Conference and the coveted EMERGE professional development program, which has been delivered at dozens of Fortune 500 organizations. In its ten years, the firm has touched over 3.2 million women, men, and youth across the globe.

As an empowerment expert and motivational speaker, Yesi has been featured in Latino Leaders magazine, Latina magazine, Working Mother Magazine, New Vision magazine, NBC Latino, The Huffington Post, and has appeared live on New York’s WPIX news, among others. In 2017, the Dominican Day Parade recognized Yesi as a “Business Ambassador”, and LATINO magazine recognized her with a BRAVA award for outstanding leadership in the community in 2016.

In 2015, she was honored by the Association of Latino Professional for America (ALPFA) for “Making An Impact in a Global Society”. El Diario recognized Yesi as A Woman of Distinction in 2013, and in 2014 JWThompson recognized Yesi as a “positive portrayal of the Latino community”.

In April 2016, Yesi shared her story of progress as a TEDx speaker, through her talk: Breaking The Cycle.

In May 2016, Yesi earned her fourth degree, a Master of Science in Writing from New York University. She is currently a doctoral candidate, earning a Ph.D. in Education. She holds an MBA from Touro University and a bachelor’s in finance from Baruch College. A lifetime learner with a love for education, Yesi serves as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University and Baruch College in New York City.

She is the author of the RISE series of books for self-growth and the forthcoming novel Stay (May 2024). She resides in New York City with her two sons and their dog, Luna.

Brandon Kazen-Maddox (they/them) is an American Sign Language Artist and Grandchild of Deaf Adults (GODA), growing up from birth in a culturally Deaf household. As a third-generation heritage signer, it is Brandon’s passion and responsibility to carry on their generational birthright and lineage of ASL Artistry.

As an ASL Artist, choreographer, filmmaker, dancer, actor, acrobat, and activist, Brandon has spent the last 10 years as a professional ASL interpreter in the mediums of activism, performance, politics, film, television and theater, providing access to, and facilitating communication between the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and hearing communities. Brandon creates work with and for the Deaf and Disability communities, and highlights and empowers BIPOC and LGBTQAI+ artists, building bridges among people of all backgrounds and abilities. Recent keynote appearances have included NASPA Conference, Fidelity Investments Conference, MAS Event+Design, California Faculty of the Arts and A Day of Unreasonable Conversation at the Getty Museum for the social impact organization Propper Daley.

Brandon was a featured storyteller on the 100th episode of Stories From the Stage on PBS and they were named as one of Gucci’s Chime for Change 22 for ’22. Brandon is a recipient of the Creative Capital Award, New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Production Grant, the Mertz-Gilmore Foundation Grant and the New York State Council on the Arts grant. Brandon is also a member of the Circle of Advocates for RISE Theater Directory, curated and supported by the Miranda Family Foundation. Brandon’s television credits include guest appearances on High Maintenance and The Good Fight. Their work has been profiled by The New York Times, ABC World News, ABC/Disney, CNN and The PBS NewsHour’s “Brief But
Spectacular” series.

Brandon holds an MFA in Dance and New Technology from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is a co-founder of Up Until Now Collective, an arts and media company that focuses on developing and producing radically inclusive interdisciplinary work.

John Workman is Managing Director of Research at Seramount, part of EAB. Over 15+ years at Seramount, EAB, and the Advisory Board Company, he has led research initiatives on various topics, including human capital management, innovative staffing models, hiring and recruitment, organizational budgeting, and strategic planning. John has authored dozens of industry-leading studies and presented at national and international conferences.

John received his PhD in Mathematics from Cornell University. He was previously a National Science Foundation Research Fellow, a National Defense Science and Engineering Research Fellow, and a Goldwater Scholar. John is based in Washington, DC, with his wife and two children.