UCOP employee resource group leaders and executive sponsors gather for a group photo in the Oakland Broadway building during the third annual UCOP Employee Resource Group Summit.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, UCOP staff gathered in Oakland, at UCPath and on Zoom to participate in the third annual UCOP Employee Resource Group (ERG) Summit. In alignment with the event theme, “Dare to Lead: Brave Influence and Impact,” staff leaders, executive sponsors, and guest speakers gathered to celebrate the impact of UCOP’s nine ERGs throughout the past year and envision what could be accomplished in the year ahead.

Department of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Director Lalitha Sankaran shared, “In addition to celebrating the remarkable work of our ERGs and their relentless passion and energy for all that they do, this event gave executive sponsors and staff leaders an opportunity to come together to consider the risks, rewards and requirements of daring leadership, including the importance of building alliances and other ways to develop voice and influence at UCOP. Throughout the conference, guest speakers and UCOP leaders emphasized that daring leadership is neither a stunning act of heroism nor standing alone against all odds.”

Staff leaders gather for a group photo at UCPath during the ERG summit. They attended and contributed virtually to the gathering. (From left to right, front row: Edwin Soto, Angela Porras-Weydemuller, Marlin Rodarte; back row: Mark Romo, Martha Naber, Erin Warnock-Smith, Manuel Kauss.)

Event highlights

• In opening the event, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Program Manager Dennis McIver shared inspiring remarks focused on how the support he has received from colleagues and supervisors throughout the years propelled him to accept new challenges that have led to personal and professional growth — including his recently completed doctoral degree.
• Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Rachael Nava celebrated the accomplishments of ERGs throughout the past year and traced UCOP’s progress toward building a more equitable workplace.
• The keynote address by Megan Karsh of Elevated Diversity shared examples from around the world of how individuals can have a great impact by building partnerships around shared causes. She also provided targeted advice to ERG leaders, focusing on how they can maximize their impact to effect change.
• Vice President of Institutional Research and Academic Planning Pamela Brown and Deputy General Counsel Darnele Wright participated in a panel discussion with Melvin Tangonan, treasurer of the Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association, and Marisa Strong, co-vice-chair of the President’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, focused on the risks and rewards of daring leadership.
• Breakout sessions, focused on whether daring leadership is “worth it,” featured UC ANR Director of Workplace Inclusion and Belonging Elizabeth Moon, Managing Counsel of Strategic Legal Initiatives Junna Ro and Chief of Staff for UC Finance Brad Werdick.
• Evan Bissell, an artist at Another World Exists, and Sarah Crowell, an arts educator and community organizer, inspired event attendees with novel techniques for engaging their bodies and minds to strengthen their leadership journeys.
• Before, during and in between sessions, attendees had many opportunities to build new connections with ERG leaders and UCOP leadership; brainstorm ideas for their own ERGs and those they support; find opportunities for growth and begin contemplating the next steps for their ERGs.
• At the close of the event, ERG leaders gathered to celebrate their individual and shared accomplishments from the past year.

Thank you to everyone who attended the conference for your time, and to this year’s planning committee (Callale Concon, Ianna Urquhart, Michael Aires and Sujit Thapa) for a rewarding and meaningful event.

Check out event more event photos (Box log in required)

Learn more about equity, diversity and inclusion at UCOP, explore UCOP ERGs and complete a simple form to get in touch with ERGs. For questions, contact edi@ucop.edu.

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