Aerial view of the two flag towers on top of Fraser Hall

IDEALS 2025

The 2025 Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Leadership Summit on Friday, March 7, will create a space to celebrate all identities while fostering learning opportunities.

About the conference

IDEALS 2025: Bridging Gaps: Advancing DEIB Across Education and Workplaces by promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within educational and professional environments
9 a.m.–3 p.m. Friday, March 7
Capitol Federal Hall
1654 Naismith Drive, Lawrence KS 66045

The KU School of Business is committed to fostering a culture of diversity by hosting IDEALS 2025 (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Leadership Summit), in partnership with KU partners and affiliates. There is no cost to attend.

Featuring insights from both campus and corporate partners, IDEALS 2025 will center on strategies and best practices for fostering inclusivity in diverse communities. This event is tailored for KU students, particularly those in the School of Business or with an interest in these topics. IDEALS 2025 aims to continue to create a space to celebrate all identities while fostering learning opportunities to share knowledge and experiences. The event will prepare attendees to effectively engage an increasingly diverse workforce, while contributing to student success and healthy and vibrant communities. 

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. School of Business students will receive 20 professional development points for attending.

Target audience

KU Business and all University of Kansas students, undergraduate or graduate; students in KU's MSP Scholars Program in Business (MBSP)

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact Morgan States by Feb. 28, 2025, at mstates@ku.edu.

Conference outcomes

  • Have an enhanced understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through different lenses

  • Develop strategies to become better proponents of DEIB personally and professionally

  • Effectively network in professional settings to develop powerful relationships with an inclusive lens and a sense of belonging

  • Professionally navigate, engage, and thrive in an increasingly diverse, creative and collaborative world

Contact

Venue details
School of Business
Capitol Federal Hall
1654 Naismith Drive
Lawrence , Kansas 66045

IDEALS 2023

IDEALS 2023 was held April 7 and focused on preparing KU students to effectively engage in an increasingly diverse workforce.

  • Promote one’s confidence in the ability to identify DEIB practices in professional settings and effectively apply their experiential education

  • Professionally navigate, engage and thrive in an increasingly diverse, creative and collaborative world

  • Effectively network in professional settings to develop powerful relationships with an inclusive lens and a sense of belonging

9 a.m. — Check-in, Breakfast and Headshots

9:30 a.m. — Welcome

9:35 a.m. — Keynote Address

10 a.m. — DEIB in Action Sessions:

  • Serving Diverse and Marginalized Communities
    • Antoinette Redmond (she/her) | DEI Program Manager, Dairy Farmers of America
  • Create Your Own DEIB Strategy
    • JP Ameryun (he/him) | Client Partner, Spotlight
    • Joi Smith (she/her) | Marketing Professional, Spotlight
  • Navigating Spaces That Aren’t Always Meant For You
    • Michael Chavez | Associate Director for Diversity and Access Initiatives, KU Admission 

11 a.m. — Practical Application Sessions:

  • How to Package and Present Yourself
    • Averiel McKenzie (he/him) | Director of Diversity Sales and Recruiting, E. & J. Gallo Winery
  • Create Your Own DEIB Strategy
    • JP Ameryun (he/him) | Client Partner, Spotlight
    • Joi Smith (she/her) | Marketing Professional, Spotlight
  • Inclusive Leadership Training
    • Amanda Rivera (she/her) | Senior Manager–Consulting, EY

11:50 a.m. — Networking Lunch

1 p.m. — DEIB in Action Sessions (In Case You Missed Them):

  • How to Package and Present Yourself
    • Averiel McKenzie (he/him) | Director of Diversity Sales and Recruiting, E. & J. Gallo Winery
  • Navigating Spaces That Aren’t Always Meant For You
    • Michael Chavez | Associate Director for Diversity and Access Initiatives, KU Admission
  • Inclusive Leadership Training
    • Amanda Rivera (she/her) | Senior Manager–Consulting, EY

2 p.m. — DEIB IRL (In Real Life) Panel

  • Panelists:
    • Edgar Damian (he/him) | SVP. Director of Finance & Analytics, Academy Bank
    • Katasha Kumar (she/her) | Director of Global Sales Operations, C2FO
    • Jasmine Moore (she/her) | IT Project Manager | Flint Hills Resources, Koch Industries
    • Natasha Patel (she/her) | Business Partner, People Operations | mySidewalk
  • Moderator: Howard Graham, KU Alumni Association

IDEALS 2024

IDEALS 2024 was held March 8 and focused on reaffirming diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

  • Have an enhanced understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through different lenses
  • Develop strategies to become better proponents of DEIB personally and professionally
  • Effectively network in professional settings to develop powerful relationships with an inclusive lens and a sense of belonging
  • Professionally navigate, engage, and thrive in an increasingly diverse, creative and collaborative world

8:15 a.m. — Check-in, Breakfast and Headshots

9 a.m. — Welcome

9:20 a.m. — Keynote Address

  • Paige Freeman (she/her) | Director of Student Programs, KU Alumni Association

10 a.m. — Workshop sessions:

  • Two-hour Zine Workshop (through rounds 1 and 2)
    • Monty Coash-Johnson (he/him & she/her) | Zine Fellow, KU Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity
  • Business Diversity vs. Supplier Diversity
    • Taylor Overton | President and Owner, Black:30; Art Love Collective; Diverse Link
  • Leveraging Traditional Education for Entrepreneurial Success
    • Kasi Ross II (he/him) | CEO, Wiz Kid Consulting

11 a.m. — Workshop Sessions:

  • Two-Hour Zine Workshop (cont.) 
  • Inclusive Leadership Training
    • Olivia Brice (she/her) | Assistant Director of Student Belonging, Washburn University
  • Leveraging the Jayhawk Career Network for Career and Professional Development
    • Howard Graham (he/him) | Director, Jayhawk Career Network at KU Alumni Association

11:50 a.m. — Networking Lunch

1 p.m. — Workshop Sessions:

  • A Space to Be You
    • Kassandra Hegg (she/her) | Senior HR Representative, PepsiCo
  • Crafting Your Digital Persona: Personal and Online Branding 101 for Workplace Success
    • Alexus Scott, M.Ed. (she/her) | Bridge + Grace Management Consulting
  • Professionalism from a Nonbinary and Trans Perspective
    • Moderated by Sam Azzaro (they/them) | Program Coordinator, KU School of Business Office of DEIB
    • Panelists:
      • Erin Duran, M.Ed., PHR (he/him) | Assistant Vice Provost, KU Office of DEIB
      • Alex Pang, M.A. (they/them) | Program Coordinator, Undergraduate Academic Services, KU School of Engineering
      • Maggie R Borders, M.A. (she/they) | Student Success Coordinator, KU TRIO SES & STEM
      • Nyx Moore (he/him/they/them) | M.A. Student, KU Communication Studies

2 p.m. — DEIB IRL (In Real Life) Panel

  • Panelists:
    • Alicia McDougal, MBA, PHR | Employee Services Supervisor, Kiewit
    • Kasi Ross II (he/him) | CEO, Wiz Kid Consulting
    • Siney Zavala (she/her) | Assistant Director of Community Engagement Initiatives, KU Office of Admissions
    • Breona Ward, M.A. (she/her) | Director – College and Career Progression, DeLaSalle High School
  • Moderator: Eve Bertoncino