Press

Ibis Communications and AllianceBernstein present Global Diversity Leadership Exchange, #New Nashville #Leading the Way in a Global Market at Oz Arts Nashville on October 3^rd to focus on community-focused infrastructure and inclusive wealth-building in America’s new “IT” city

Featured speakers include Seth Bernstein, president & CEO, AllianceBernstein and Marc Lesser, CEO & Co-founder, Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute; and author, Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons From Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen

Nashville, TN (September 16, 2019) – The Global Diversity Leadership Exchange (GDLE), a peer-to-peer platform for C-level executives and thought leaders who understand the nexus between diversity, inclusion and sustainability in the global economy, will be hosted on Thursday, October 3 from 7:30am – 2:45pm at Oz Arts Nashville located at 6172 Cockrill Bend Circle in Nashville.

Global Diversity Leadership Exchange, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, was founded in 2012 by Nashville-based Ibis Communications, a branding and marketing solutions firm specializing in diversity and inclusion strategy and engagement to build brand equity in multicultural markets. The organization is supported by an advisory council of global business and thought leaders.

“GDLE supports an exclusive community of global leaders with a platform for the sharing of intelligence, experience, resources and networks as their companies strive for global cultural competency and high road social impact to support sustainable growth with sustainable solutions,” said MaryAnne Howland, CEO, Ibis Communications and GDLE founder. “As Nashville emerges in global prominence, we are delighted to host #New Nashville #Leading the Way in a Global Market here in our city with Alliance Bernstein and our media partner, FW Publishing. We must strike at the opportunity to leverage the growth momentum in Nashville to fuel transformative, systemic change for building an inclusive new economy and sustainable communities.”

The inaugural 2012 and 2013 symposia were hosted at The New York Stock Exchange. In 2014, GDLE became a member of the United Nations Global Compact and hosted the event at the United Nations for two consecutive years. In 2017, GDLE hosted its first International Forum on People with Disabilities in Los Angeles.

From philanthropy to business, to media and technology, GDLE is unique in creating an environment where challenges, insights, breakthroughs and inspirations are shared, discussed and committed into action.

This year’s agenda includes keynote presentations, panel discussions, and an interactive session on Mindful Leadership facilitated by Marc Lesser, CEO & Co-founder, Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute; and author, Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons From Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen. Seth Bernstein, President & CEO, AllianceBernstein, will open the conference with a keynote address themed, Innovation Starts at the Top: The Power of Inspired Leadership. A continental breakfast, luncheon and afternoon tea will provide additional networking opportunities for attendees.

Additional confirmed speakers include; Terrence Brooks, Head of Sales, Google Fiber Nashville; Jim Link, Chief Human Resources Officer, Randstad; Kelli Turner, President and COO, SESAC; Harry Allen, EVP, Chief Relationship Officer, Studio Bank; Erica Mitchell, Chief Community Impact Officer, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville; and Jamari Brown, Director of Nashville Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development; Yanika Smith-Bartley, VP and Special Counsel, Diversity and Inclusion – HR, and Luke Visconti, Founder and CEO, Diversity Inc.

The event is expected to be attended by C-Level executives from leading Nashville companies, government officials, NGO’s and direct reports in business development, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, finance, human resources, investor relations, marketing, operations, and social media. Each event is streamed across social media outlets and has reached as high over 150 million impressions in one event.

Event sponsors and partners include AllianceBernstein, Randstad, Studio Bank, OZ Arts Nashville, Crayons Marketing and FW Publishing.

###

For sponsorship information or to arrange interviews with any of the speakers, please contact: mhowland@ibiscommunications.com For tickets and more information, visit gdlexchange.com

Social Media Broadcast: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

#GlobalDiversity #GDLENashville #LeadingTheWay #Inclusion #sustainability

@gdlexchange @AB_Insights @NashvillePost @NashChamber @Ibiscomm @DCtweetbounce @Google @Randstad @StudioBankNash @UWNashville @sesac

###

IN SUPPORT OF UN GLOBAL IMPACT, 2015 GLOBAL DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE TO BE HELD AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK, June 12, 2015

Topics for Day-Long Summit are Technology, Women and People With Different Abilities and Millennials Making Global Impact

Geraldine Moriba, SVP of Diversity Inclusion, CNN Worldwide and Nasdaq’s #Social Bell host Bradley Smith to moderate panel discussions

Event Aims For #globaldiversity To Trend In Social Media

(New York, NY – June 3, 2015) – The Global Diversity Leadership Exchange (GDLE) has announced its speaker line-up for the fourth annual summit: Sustainable Profitability: The Triple Bottom Line to be held on June 12 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. GDLE is a forum for global thought leaders focused on diversity and inclusion strategies and sustainable business in emerging markets.

The three Leadership Sessions during the Global Diversity Leadership Exchange include: Technology, Women and People with Different Abilities, an examination of the impact technology has on eliminating barriers, creating a gateway for marginalized and underserved communities of untapped potential, valuable talent, skills and opening a world of global business opportunities. Geraldine Moriba, SVP of Diversity Inclusion, CNN Worldwide will lead the discussion with Amir Dossal, Chairman, Global Partnerships Forum; Dean Garfield, President & CEO, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI); Felita Harris, SVP, Global Sales, The Donna Karan Company, LLC; and Dr. Janina Urussowa, Founder & CEO, Noncommercial Partnership Cultural Center, Bez Graniz, Moscow.

Millennials Making Global Impact introduces young mavericks who represent the future of global business strategy: the triple bottom line of people, planet, profit, a values driven approach designed to create social impact as well as global business prosperity for all. The Session will be moderated by Bradley Smith, host of Nasdaq’s #Social Bell. Panelists include Tiffany Pham, Founder & CEO, Mogul; Enrico Mangalindan, Executive Assistant for Head of Americas Monitoring and Surveillance & Co-Chair of UBS Pride Memberships and Communications, UBS; and Britnie Faith Turner, Founder & CEO, Aerial Development Group.

Jay Coen Gilbert, co-Founder, B Lab, will lead Inspirations Unpinned, a session designed to release the energy of rejuvenated and engaged attendees to turn inspiration into action through a productive construct of individual action planning based on lessons learned during the day. During this segment, attendees will collaborate and volunteer their shared insights and take-a-ways from the day’s content, as well as make a commitment to further diversity and sustainability in our world, personally and professionally.

Global Diversity Leadership Exchange, a member of the UN Global Compact, comprises global thought leaders, C-level executives, government officials and front line officers in Business Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Finance, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Marketing, Operations, Social Media and Corporate Social Responsibility. Through keynote speakers, market case studies, social media and talking circles, attendees will acquire innovative and actionable strategies for: building global brand recognition; creating new and sustainable markets; anticipating and meeting customer needs; strengthening the supply and distribution chains; and sourcing the best talent in the world. Supporting partners include: B Lab, Bez Graniz Moscow, Daimler Mercedes Benz, Digital Diversity Network, Hewlett Packard, UBS, Ibis Communications, Nasdaq, and There.

“The Global Diversity Leadership Exchange is uniquely aligned with our vision of a sustainable and inclusive global economy which delivers lasting benefits to people, communities and markets,” said Olajobi Makinwa, Senior Civil Society Coordinator, Head Transparency & Anti-Corruption, UN Global Compact.

“Possessing a depth of expertise in markets across the world, our line-up of speakers exemplifies the new business paradigm of inclusion and sustainability at the highest ethical standards. Our audiences will learn new approaches to cultural inclusion through illuminating technological breakthroughs that widen access to talent and resources for women and people with different abilities; the impact of image on cultural inclusion behaviors, new business opportunities in urban housing development, and the global movement of B Corporations” said MaryAnne Howland, Founder & CEO, Global Diversity Leadership Exchange.

Social media is part of GDLE’s core strategy to make the conversation truly global. Live TweetChats will be used to engage internal and external audiences. Social Media teams at participating companies and organizations, and Facebook and Twitter influencers for GDLE will participate in live-tweeting/blogging/Facebooking the event to engage their followers in the discussions.

To register for GDLE-NY, visit www.gdlexchange.com. To learn more about speaker and sponsorship opportunities for upcoming GDLE events in London, Brazil and Africa, please contact mhowland@ibiscommunications.com.

# # #

SPEAKER LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR 2014 GLOBAL DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, March 27, 2014

CNN Correspondent Zain Asher To Interview Elizabeth Littlefield, President & CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), During Keynote Session

Event Aims For #globaldiversity To Trend In Social Media

(New York, NY) – The Global Diversity Leadership Exchange (GDLE), a prestigious executive forum focused on diversity and inclusion strategies to support business objectives in emerging markets, has announced that Elizabeth Littlefield, President and CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), will deliver the opening keynote address for its third annual symposium themed, Connecting Cultures and Corporate Value, to be held on March 27 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Zain Asher, National Correspondent, CNN, will conduct a one-on-one interview with Littlefield as part of the keynote session with audience Q&A.

Presented in partnership with the UN Global Compact, the highly anticipated GDLE event comprises global thought leaders, C-level executives, government officials and front line officers in Business Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Finance, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Marketing, Operations, Social Media and Corporate Social Responsibility. Through keynote speakers, market case studies, social media and talking circles, attendees will acquire innovative and actionable strategies for: building global brand recognition; creating new and sustainable markets; anticipating and meeting customer needs; strengthening the supply and distribution chains; and sourcing the best talent in the world. Sponsoring companies include: AT&T, Hewlett Packard, Ibis Communications, Pitney Bowes, Time Warner and Wyndham Worldwide.

“UN Global Compact is pleased to support the Global Diversity Leadership Exchange, as it is uniquely aligned with our vision of a sustainable and inclusive global economy which delivers lasting benefits to people, communities and markets,” said Olajobi Makinwa, Senior Civil Society Coordinator, Head Transparency & Anti-Corruption, UN Global Compact.

“Our line-up of speakers includes major corporations, social entrepreneurs, the military, and government, each of whom possess a depth of expertise in markets across the world. Our audiences will learn innovative approaches to cultural inclusion in projects ranging from bringing energy to underdeveloped African nations; upcycling waste; and using mobile technology to advance economic development in Afghanistan,” said MaryAnne Howland, Founder & CEO, Global Diversity Leadership Exchange.

Three sessions offered during the Global Diversity Leadership Exchange include: Redefining Diversity in a Global Economy, an examination of cultural, political and socio-economic dynamics that impact the talent pipeline, workforce development, leadership capabilities and community investment in international markets. Panelists include: Michael D. Armstrong, Senior Vice President and General Manager, BET International and Paramount Channel at Viacom; Lisa Garcia Quiroz, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Time Warner Inc.; Shainoor Khoja, Principal, Better Business Enterprise; and Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton (retired), Executive Vice President, Air Force Association. Debbie Storey, Chief Diversity Officer and SVP, Talent, AT&T, will moderate.

Establishing New Measures of Success, which discusses achieving bottom-line success while contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive global economy, will be moderated by Janelle Rodriguez, Vice President, Programming, CNN Worldwide, and includes: Erika Karp, Founder and CEO, Cornerstone Capital Inc.; Faith Taylor, Chief Sustainability Officer, Wyndham Worldwide; and Michael Waas, Vice President, Global Business Development, TerraCycle, Inc.

Dr. Dilshad Dayani, Founder and CEO, World Women Global Council will lead Uplifts & Lessons Learned to conclude the event. During this segment, attendees will collaborate and volunteer their shared insights and take-a-ways from the day’s content, as well as make a commitment to further diversity and sustainability in our world, either personally or professionally.

To register and learn more about speaker and sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming GDLE event, please visit www.gdlexchange.com.

# # #

Global Diversity Leadership Exchange Announces 2014 Keynote Speaker

Elizabeth Littlefield, President & CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation to headline conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York City

(NEW YORK, NY)- February 20, 2014 –Global Diversity Leadership Exchange (GDLE) is pleased to announce Elizabeth Littlefield, President & CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation as the keynote speaker for its third annual conference to be held on March 27, 2014 in partnership with UN Global Compact at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Littlefield, winner of the 2012 White House Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award, was appointed by President Obama in 2010 as the President and CEO of OPIC, an Under Secretary level position. OPIC, the U.S. Government’s Development Finance Institution, operates in 102 countries and manages an $18 billion portfolio of financing and insurance to support private investment in sustainable economic development– especially in the world’s poorest countries.

Under Littlefield’s leadership, OPIC’s annual commitments to renewable resources projects grew ten-fold in three years to $1.5 billion, while generating increasing income for the federal budget – a number that reached $426 million in 2013. She has also instituted major reforms of the agency’s policies, systems and processes and introduced new financial innovations to augment the agency’s development impact. Littlefield has been appointed by President Obama to serve as a member of the White House Development Council and the President’s Export Council.

“We are delighted to have Elizabeth Littlefield headline GDLE’s illustrious speaker line-up,” said MaryAnne Howland, Founder & CEO, GDLE; and CEO, Ibis Communications. “Her leadership and experience on the world stage will help set the tone for a day-long dialogue that is filled with breakthroughs that lead to best practices.”

“I’m looking forward to this year’s Global Diversity Leadership Exchange, because when a strong group of corporate leaders with a global focus gather, it is a reminder that our ideas can empower,” states Littlefield. “Since I arrived at OPIC, the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, my belief that diversity and sustainability reinforce one another has strengthened. In order to thrive, the global economy needs leaders who adopt diversity-minded strategies, look to the talent and ideas of people from a wide variety of cultures and experiences, and who see sustainability as core to their business models and supply chains, not simply a veneer. Business must also recognize the changing landscape in the developing world and the opportunities these overseas markets offer. OPIC’s $18 billion portfolio in the developing world represents a tapestry of U.S. businesses successfully branching out to profitably tap burgeoning markets while creating positive development impact, fostering local jobs, and building long-term local (and corporate) stability. I am sure this year’s exchange will give those executives in attendance a productive forum to consider the opportunities ahead. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Now in its third year, GDLE is the premier forum and networking event for global thought leaders who meet at the intersection of diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. Themed, Connecting Cultures & Corporate Value, the 2014 GDLE will incorporate keynote speakers, global market case studies, social media and talking circles to provide actionable strategies for: aligning business success metrics to a corporate culture of human value; advancing commerce, technology and finance to benefit economies and societies everywhere; creating sustainable ROI; and contributing to a more inclusive global economy.

During the daylong symposium, senior executives from blue chip, multi-national companies assemble to collaborate and share experiences and breakthrough solutions for leveraging diversity and inclusion for business growth, common good and prosperity in emerging markets. The 2014 GDLE is presented in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact. Event sponsors include AT&T, Pitney Bowes, Hewlett Packard, Wyndham Worldwide, Time Warner and Ibis Communications.

Other confirmed speakers include: Debbie Storey, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President, Talent, AT&T; Janelle Rodriguez, Vice President, Programming, CNN Worldwide; Shainoor Khoja, Principal, Better Business Enterprise; Olajobi Makinwa, Head of Transparency and Anti-Corruption Initiatives, UN Global Compact; Faith Taylor, Chief Sustainability Officer, Wyndham Worldwide, and Dr.Dilshad Dayani, Founder & CEO, World Women Global Council; Michael Waas, Global Business Development, TerraCycle; Lisa Garcia Quiroz, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Time Warner Inc.; Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton, Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force; and Janelle Rodriguez, VP Programming, CNN.

The GDLE Advisory Board members include: Erika Karp, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstone Capital Inc.; Shainoor Khoja, Principle, Better Business Enterprise; Robert Raben, Founder and President, The Raben Group; and Carmen Smith, Vice President of Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering.

To register and learn more about speaker and sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming GDLE event, please visit www.gdlexchange.com.

# # #

ABOUT GDLE

Global Diversity Leadership Exchange’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for innovative ideas and solutions among C-Suite and thought leaders who understand the bottom line value of the intersection of diversity and inclusion, and sustainability in the global economy. For more information about GDLE, visit www.gdlexchange.com.

ABOUT UN Global Compact

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact brings business together with UN agencies, labor, civil society and governments to advance ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to mainstream these ten principles in business activities around the world and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals. With over 4,100 participating companies from more than 100 countries, it is the world’s largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative. For more information, please visit www.unglobalcompact.org.

Global Diversity Leadership Exchange Announces Distinguished Advisory Board

(NEW YORK, NY)- February 5, 2014 –The Global Diversity Leadership Exchange (GDLE) announces the members of its 4-person Global Advisory Board. This distinguished group of diverse, international business leaders will offer ongoing thought leadership, wisdom and active support for the upcoming annual GDLE event, to be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters.

The GDLE Advisory Board members are: Erika Karp, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstone Capital Inc.; Shainoor Khoja, Managing Director, Better Business Enterprise (BBE); Robert Raben, Founder and President, The Raben Group; and Carmen Smith, Vice President of Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering.

“I am honored and incredibly humbled by the talents of our board members and their embrace of GDLE’s mission, vision and values, “ comments MaryAnne Howland, CEO and Founder, Global Diversity Leadership Exchange. “Their global experiences, coupled with their depth and breadth of knowledge in the corporate, political and social enterprise sectors will serve GDLE well.”

Now in its third year, GDLE is the premier forum and networking event for global thought leaders who meet at the intersection of diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. During the daylong symposium, senior executives from blue chip, multi-national companies assemble to collaborate and share experiences and breakthrough solutions for leveraging diversity and inclusion for business growth, common good and prosperity in emerging markets. The 2014 GDLE is presented in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact. Event sponsors include AT&T, Pitney Bowes, Hewlett Packard, Wyndham Worldwide and Ibis Communications.

Themed, Connecting Cultures & Corporate Value, the 2014 GDLE will incorporate keynote speakers, global market case studies, social media and talking circles to provide actionable strategies for: aligning business success metrics to a corporate culture of human value; advancing commerce, technology and finance to benefit economies and societies everywhere; creating sustainable ROI; and contributing to a more inclusive global economy.

“Cornerstone Capital Inc. is proud to support the critical mission of the GDLE,” says Erika Karp, who founded the investment bank in 2013, following a 25-year career on Wall Street, to with the mission of applying the principles and practices of sustainable finance into the mainstream of the capital markets. “We believe that there is an inextricable link between diversity and corporate sustainability. GDLE will help bring these imperatives to the forefront of the private sector thinking.”

Shainoor Khoja adds, “It is an honor to serve on the GDLE board of advisors amongst other distinguished business leaders who are on the front lines of diversity and inclusion in our global market.” Her consultancy, BBE, focuses on triple bottom line business models and social innovation to create maximum impact from mobilized funds. Since January 2012, Khoja has led BBE in securing projects in Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Zambia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, the Middle East and the USA.

“The GDLE is where we learn that business growth can be synonymous with common good and global prosperity and I am honored to be part of that conversation,” says Robert Raben, who served as Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice under former President Bill Clinton. His Washington, D.C.– based lobbying and consulting firm, The Raben Group, represents non-profit, government and corporate clients, including: the National Museum of the American Latino; the NoVo Foundation; and AirBnb.

To learn more about members of the Advisory Board and the upcoming GDLE event, please visit www.gdlexchange.com.

# # #

ABOUT GDLE
Global Diversity Leadership Exchange’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for innovative ideas and solutions among C-Suite and thought leaders who understand the bottom line value of the intersection of diversity and inclusion, and sustainability in the global economy. For more information about GDLE, visit www.gdlexchange.com.

Like us on Facebook