CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICERS FORUM
April 2-3, 2008
Atlanta Marriott Marquis • Atlanta, Georgia

Letter from President Bea Perdue

In October 2003, on the campus of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina “a small group of committed” Chief Diversity Officers signed on to a “big idea” of the College’s then president, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole - to create an annual conference focused on providing a safe, open and honest platform to share best practices, exchange ideas and examine the unique challenges of managing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The 2004 Chief Diversity Officers Forum brought that idea to life - creating an innovative and unique conference event; launching the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute; and unleashing a movement – historical indeed!

As we prepare for the 5th Anniversary Chief Diversity Officers Forum, the planning team is convinced that building on past successes, the event is yet to hit its’ stride. They keep pushing the envelope, raising the tough questions, and focusing on advancing the impact and influence of diversity practitioners and professionals on the ever changing global marketplace.

The 2008 Chief Diversity Officers Forum is making a bold move – taking the show on the road to one of America’s most vibrant and progressive cities – Atlanta, Georgia. We are excited about the possibilities of expanding our capacity to accommodate more attendees and include more voices. This year’s conference theme, “Redefining and Expanding Diversity and Inclusion Leadership,” will examine effective ways to leverage diversity aimed at driving business value while helping to shape and transform organizations and industries for the 21st Century.

We invite you to join our efforts, be a part of this bold undertaking, and help us strengthen the movement!

Bea Perdue
President
Johnnetta B. Cole Global
Diversity and Inclusion Institute

Keynote Speakers

		Baroness Valerie Amos Former UK Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Amos was born in Guyana and studied at the Universities of Warwick, Birmingham and East Anglia. She was awarded an Honorary Professorship at Thames Valley University in 1995 in recognition of her work on equality and social justice. Valerie Amos was appointed a Government Whip in the House off Lords in July 1998. In addition to her role as a Spokesperson on International Development, she also spoke on Social Secuirty and Women’s issues. She joined the Cabinet as International Development Secretary in May 2003 before becoming Leader of the House of Lords and President of the Council in October 2003. Baroness Amos was presented with the JBC Institute 2007 Trailblazer in Diversity Award.
		Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole Board Chair JBC Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole has a long and distinguished career as an educator and humanitarian. Her work as a college professor and president, her published works, her speeches and her community service consistently address issues of racial, gender and all other forms of discrimination. Much of her work in the interest of equality and social justice is now centered in her role as the Chair of the Board of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute, founded at Bennett College for Women. Dr. Cole is President emerita of Bennett College for Women and Spelman College. She is the only individual to have served as the president of the two historically Black colleges for women in the United States. She is also Professor emerita of Emory University from which she retired as Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women’s Studies and African American Studies. From 2004 to 2006, she was the first person of color to serve as the chair of the Board of United Way of America.
		Honorable Shirley Franklin Mayor of Atlanta, GA In 2001 the people of Atlanta elected Shirley Franklin, a first time candidate for public office, to serve as the 58th Mayor of the City of Atlanta. She became the first female mayor of Atlanta and the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major southern city. Since her inauguration in 2002, Mayor Franklin has worked to build a “Best in Class” managed city by strengthening existing frameworks, implementing progressive changes and making the tough decisions necessary to improve Atlanta. She has returned accountability to city government and improved the quality of life for all Atlantans. Governing magazine named her 2004 Public Official of the Year. In 2005, Time Magazine named her one of the top five mayors in the country; she is ranked among the top ten mayors in the world by World Mayor internet organization and has been named one of the “America’s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy’s School of Government.

Speakers Include

	Tim Andrews Advertising Specialty Institute President and CEO		Lisa Chang The Weather Channel Executive Vice President of Human Resources		Mary O’Hara-Devereaux, Ph.D Global Foresight Founder and CEO
	Tom Iseghohi The Hudson Consulting Group Executive Vice President		Nanci Luna Jiménez Luna Jiménez Seminars & Associates Founder		Howard J. Ross Cook Ross, Inc. Chief Learning Officer
	Barry Salzberg Deloitte & Touche USA LLP Chief Executive Officer		Don Thompson McDonald’s USA President		Mary-Frances Winters The Winters Group President and Founder

Other Speakers Include

OPENING EVENTS 

Special Performace by Jana

THE JOHNNETTA B. COLE GLOBAL DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INSTITUTE
FOUNDED AT BENNETT COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

The Sebastian House
1402 East Washington Street
Greensboro, North Carolina 27401

CDO FORUM Partner Sponsors

DiversityInc       Food Lion       IBM       Monster.com       Wachovia

CDO FORUM Program Sponsors

AOL    Bank of America    Citi    Eastman Kodak     Southern Company    Stop & Shop/Giant Food

2008 CDO FORUM Planning Committee

For more information and conference updates visit www.jbcinstitute.org