Friday, November 20, 2015 - 10:15am to 12:00pm
 
Friday, November 20, 2015 - 10:15am to 12:00pm
 
Saturday, November 21, 2015 - 9:00am to 10:15am
Blair Underwood
actor, director and producer
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A charismatic and versatile actor, Blair Underwood has found success acting in television, on stage and on the big screen. His success has been driven by the underlying belief that, in order to achieve longevity in the acting business, you must diversify yourself and become as flexible as possible.

A gifted and sought-after film actor, Underwood can most recently be seen lighting up the big screen in starring roles in Madea’s Family Reunion, the smash sequel to Tyler Perry’s hit Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Something New, a romantic comedy co-starring Sanaa Lathan. He has also co-starred in Malibu’s Most Wanted; opposite Julia Roberts in Full Frontal; and as a Marine Captain in Rules of Engagement, for which he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Film. That same year he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his starring role in Steven Bochco’s City of Angels. Underwood's other film credits include his portrayals of a space shuttle flight navigator in the hit Deep Impact; a death row inmate in Just Cause; a geneticist in Gattaca; a sheriff in Posse; and a corporate banker in Set It Off, for which he received yet another NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.

Underwood has received 12 industry nods from the Golden Globes and the NAACP Image Awards, with five wins from the NAACP Image Awards, for his roles in film and television on City of Angels, Rules of Engagement, L.A. Law, Mama Flora’s Family, and Murder in Mississippi. In 2000, People magazine named him one of its "50 Most Beautiful People," and in 2004 named him one of the "Sexiest Men Alive."

Involved in numerous charitable organizations, Underwood’s dedicated support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association won him the 1993 Humanitarian Award. He is also co-founder of Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA, ansafrica.org). Founded in 1989 with Alfre Woodard, Danny Glover, Mary Steenburgen and other friends in the arts and entertainment community, ANSA supports a democratic South Africa with equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.

SESSIONS:
Monday, October 26, 2015 - 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Susan O'Malley
former president
Washington Sports and Entertainment
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As the first female president of a professional sports franchise, Susan O’Malley is a pioneer in two fields: sports and business. She knows what it takes to be a leader in a tough business environment and how to create an organization from the ground up. Her ground-breaking business ideas and proactive approach to customer service brought her – and Washington Sports and Entertainment – to the top of the sports business world.

SESSIONS:
Friday, October 9, 2015 - 10:45am to 12:15pm
Hayward Bell
chief diversity officer
Raytheon Company
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Hayward L. Bell is chief diversity officer for Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN). Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the world. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.

Bell was elected to this position in January 2005 and is a member of Raytheon’s Executive Diversity Leadership Team. As chief diversity officer, Bell is responsible for developing and leading innovative global diversity initiatives, practices, programs and strategies for Raytheon. He also serves as liaison between Raytheon Global Headquarters and all business units to ensure enterprisewide consistency.

Prior to joining Raytheon, Bell served as director, global diversity for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., a position he held since 1998.

As director, global diversity, Bell was responsible for strategic development and senior-level leadership of diversity, including program design, resource planning and implementation.

He began his career at Air Products in 1980 and held various positions in finance, corporate policies and professional development.

Bell earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rutgers University. He is a certified management accountant and holds an MBA from Lehigh University.

Bell is a National Training Laboratories (NTL) Institute certified diversity practitioner. He is a member and past chair of the Conference Board Global Diversity Council, and a Board member of the International Multicultural Institute (iMCI)

SESSIONS:
Moderator: 
Lenora Billings-Harris
diversity strategist
Excel Development Systems, Inc.
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A diversity strategist and author. With more than twenty five years of experience in the public and private sectors, she has developed a unique way of presenting sensitive topics in a fun, thought-provoking and non-judgmental way. Her interactive style and immediately applicable "how tos" have inspired clients to invite her back again and again. She designs and delivers presentations that help facilitate diversity initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, professional associations, government agencies and educational institutions. 

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 - 10:15am to 11:30am
Hayward Bell
chief diversity officer
Raytheon Company
Connect Online with this Speaker

Hayward L. Bell is chief diversity officer for Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN). Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the world. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.

Bell was elected to this position in January 2005 and is a member of Raytheon’s Executive Diversity Leadership Team. As chief diversity officer, Bell is responsible for developing and leading innovative global diversity initiatives, practices, programs and strategies for Raytheon. He also serves as liaison between Raytheon Global Headquarters and all business units to ensure enterprisewide consistency.

Prior to joining Raytheon, Bell served as director, global diversity for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., a position he held since 1998.

As director, global diversity, Bell was responsible for strategic development and senior-level leadership of diversity, including program design, resource planning and implementation.

He began his career at Air Products in 1980 and held various positions in finance, corporate policies and professional development.

Bell earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rutgers University. He is a certified management accountant and holds an MBA from Lehigh University.

Bell is a National Training Laboratories (NTL) Institute certified diversity practitioner. He is a member and past chair of the Conference Board Global Diversity Council, and a Board member of the International Multicultural Institute (iMCI)

SESSIONS:
Blair Underwood
actor, director and producer
Connect Online with this Speaker

A charismatic and versatile actor, Blair Underwood has found success acting in television, on stage and on the big screen. His success has been driven by the underlying belief that, in order to achieve longevity in the acting business, you must diversify yourself and become as flexible as possible.

A gifted and sought-after film actor, Underwood can most recently be seen lighting up the big screen in starring roles in Madea’s Family Reunion, the smash sequel to Tyler Perry’s hit Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Something New, a romantic comedy co-starring Sanaa Lathan. He has also co-starred in Malibu’s Most Wanted; opposite Julia Roberts in Full Frontal; and as a Marine Captain in Rules of Engagement, for which he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Film. That same year he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his starring role in Steven Bochco’s City of Angels. Underwood's other film credits include his portrayals of a space shuttle flight navigator in the hit Deep Impact; a death row inmate in Just Cause; a geneticist in Gattaca; a sheriff in Posse; and a corporate banker in Set It Off, for which he received yet another NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.

Underwood has received 12 industry nods from the Golden Globes and the NAACP Image Awards, with five wins from the NAACP Image Awards, for his roles in film and television on City of Angels, Rules of Engagement, L.A. Law, Mama Flora’s Family, and Murder in Mississippi. In 2000, People magazine named him one of its "50 Most Beautiful People," and in 2004 named him one of the "Sexiest Men Alive."

Involved in numerous charitable organizations, Underwood’s dedicated support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association won him the 1993 Humanitarian Award. He is also co-founder of Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA, ansafrica.org). Founded in 1989 with Alfre Woodard, Danny Glover, Mary Steenburgen and other friends in the arts and entertainment community, ANSA supports a democratic South Africa with equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.

SESSIONS: