Student-Led Conference Explores Inclusion in the Workplace
Two Texas McCombs MBAs launched a conference focused on “diversity that works”
Ashley Fox and DeAndrea Staes, both MBA ’19, organized the Elevate: Diversity & Inclusion Conference on Feb. 8, bringing together business leaders and members of The University of Texas at Austin community. A series of panels and discussions in Robert B. Rowling Hall focused on “diversity that works” — how organizations can strategically establish a culture that enjoys the rewards of an inclusive workforce.
During their first year in the MBA program, Fox and Staes were two of seven black students in their class of 265, and seeing that Hispanic students were also underrepresented, they began thinking of ways to improve those numbers in a sustainable way. They also wanted to illuminate the connection between corporate diversity and benefits to productivity and the bottom line.
Their solution was the inaugural conference. Relying heavily on their personal networks and the high-caliber network of McCombs alum Dan Driscoll, MBA ’14, Fox and Staes curated an impressive lineup of speakers. BET Senior Vice President Michele Thornton Ghee delivered the keynote. “She talked about making sure you have a seat at the table. As a person of color, you have to be proactive,” says Staes. “It’s important that as business leaders, we give people opportunities though.”
The conference proved to be a success. Attendees said they looked forward to returning, while industry leaders expressed interest in future participation as speakers.
“It provided value to our MBA classmates and the UT community at large,” says Fox. “We had faculty and staff coming up to us, talking about how much they were able to get out of it.” And it built connections between UT and the greater Austin community. “We were really thrilled how the event turned out.”
All the conference proceeds will be used to establish a scholarship for underrepresented minorities. Meanwhile, the event co-founders are also at work on a blueprint so that future second-year MBAs can host the event next year.
