Develop Engage Inspire

Conference

About Our

Develop Engage Inspire
Conference

 

 

October 22, 2026 | 8:00-3:30pm

Stillwater Place, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

2026 Presenting Sponsor:

 

 

 

 

 

2026 Gold Sponsors:

 

2026 Silver Sponsors:

Engage! Cleveland began its DE&I journey in 2020 with Takeover Tuesday: Band Together CLE, an initiative that shared stories, advice, and resources with emerging professionals. What started as a digital series soon evolved into our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Conference—an all-day event dedicated to exploring the vital role DE&I plays in the workplace and beyond.

Today, this effort continues as the Develop Engage Inspire Conference, with a renewed focus on building a Cleveland where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.

Engage! Cleveland has been recognized among the top 9 in the WORLD for innovation in 2025, according to People Managing People . That recognition reflects not just our efforts, but the incredible dedication of this community. Help us keep this momentum going!

 

Get Tickets Here!

 

2026 Conference Topics Included:

The Power of Different Perspectives

Moderator: Allison Kwan

Pannelists: Amanda Cole, Chrishawna Cunningham, and Christian Ward

Join a panel of leaders from business, nonprofit, and community organizations as they discuss how embracing different perspectives strengthens workplace culture and creates a greater sense of belonging. Panelists will share personal experiences, lessons learned, and practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute. 

Belonging Across Generations

Speaker: George Sample, MBA, SHRM-SCP

This session explores how organizations can bridge generational gaps and foster a culture where employees of all ages feel valued, respected, and connected. Attendees will gain insight into the factors that shape generational perspectives, learn strategies for navigating workplace differences, and discover how diverse experiences can strengthen teams and drive organizational success. 

Courageous Conversations at Work

Speaker: Marissa Ferrari

This interactive session will equip participants with practical tools and strategies to approach difficult discussions with confidence, empathy, and authenticity. Attendees will learn how to communicate clearly, listen actively, manage emotions, and turn moments of tension into opportunities for growth, collaboration, and trust. 

Culture by Design, Not by Default

Speaker: Jennifer Bosco, EdD

This session explores how seasoned leaders, HR professionals, and emerging leaders can intentionally build and sustain a culture that reflects their organization’s values, supports employee well-being, and fosters a sense of belonging. Attendees will learn how to navigate change while maintaining trust, alignment, and connection across teams. From scaling culture during growth to reinforcing values during uncertainty, this session will provide practical strategies for creating workplaces where people and organizations thrive together. 

Our City, Our Future: The Power of Civic Engagement in Cleveland

Moderator: Ken Schneck

Panelists: Daniel Brown and Elizabeth Voudouris

Join a diverse panel of community, business, and civic leaders as they explore the power of civic engagement to drive positive change across Northeast Ohio. Through personal stories, practical advice, and candid discussion, panelists will share how getting involved can expand your impact, deepen your sense of belonging, and help shape Cleveland’s next chapter. 

Human-Centered AI in a Changing World

Speaker: J.P. Graulty

As AI rapidly reshapes how we work, communicate, and make decisions, it’s easy to focus on what AI can do while overlooking what it should do. This interactive session explores the opportunities and risks of AI through a human-centered lens. Participants will learn practical dos and don’ts, examine real-world examples, and discuss how to use AI responsibly, ethically, and inclusively. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to embrace innovation while maintaining trust, authenticity, and human connection in an ever-changing world. 

Next Upcoming Event

4th Annual Develop, Engage and Inspire Conference

22 October 2026
- Stillwater Place at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
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our
past
speakers

Justin Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland
Gulnar Feerasta, Director of Programs, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
Winnie Li, VP of Partnerships, MotivAsians for Cleveland
LaRese Purnell, Founder, The Real Black Friday
Estefany Rodrigues Perez, Programs Manager, Center for Inclusion Baldwin Wallace University

“WHAT AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO DIG EVEN FURTHER INTO THE IMPORTANCE OF DEIB IN THE WORKPLACE. THANK YOU ENGAGE! CLEVELAND – I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK NEXT YEAR!”

 

– 2023 DE&I Conference Attendee

ep. 26 WITH WINNIE LI

In this episode, Winnie talks about the recent rise in violence against the AAPI community, local organizations to get involved with, discovering Asian cultures in Cleveland, favorite local Asian restaurants, podcast recommendations, career advice for Asian-American professionals and her hope for the future (6:52)

This episode originally aired on 4/6/2021.

Ep. 28 with Gulnar Feerasta

In this episode, Gulnar talks about Metro Healtn’s Pride Clinic, how to support LGBTQ colleagues, how to start an employee resource group (ERG) and looking at your organization’s policies & insurance policies

To learn more about the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, visit lgbtcleveland.org.

This episode originally aired on 6/1/2021..

EP. 24 WITH LAREESE PURNELL

In this episode, LaRese talks about how white young professionals can support black-owned businesses, his favorite local black-owned businesses, How to take action and get involved in the community and what comes after naming racism a public health crisis in Cleveland

This episode originally aired on 2/2/2021.

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