Learn How to Build A More Inclusive & Accessible Workplace

Thursday, October 17th, 2024. 8AM-6:15PM

Conference Check In & Continental Breakfast @ 8AM

25 Prospect Street, Ridgefield CT

Join the Prospector for a full-day, hybrid conference detailing how diversity, inclusion, and accessibility can better your business and bottom line.

Participants will learn strategies for creating competitive and inclusive employment and universally-designed customer experiences. Featuring keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions, the Do Good Business Conference will be a collaborative space for mission-driven businesses to learn from accessibility experts, game-changing entrepreneurs, HR professionals, non-profit start-ups, and industry leaders.

Proud to Announce Our Keynote Speakers: John & Mark X. Cronin of John’s Crazy Socks.

Agenda

• 8AM: Conference Check-In & Continental Breakfast

• 9AM: Welcome Remarks

  • Valerie Jensen, Visionary and Founder of The Prospector.

  • Ryan Wenke, Executive Director of The Prospector.

• 9:15AM: Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism. It is Good Business

  • John and Mark demonstrate that hiring people with differing abilities is good for business and offer many examples of why.

    • John & Mark X Cronin, Co-Founders of John’s Crazy Socks.

• 10:15AM Break

• 10:30AM: Social Enterprise - The Power of People with Purpose

  • Embracing dual and triple bottom line business models that integrate social, environmental and fiscal impact, while spotlighting the untapped potential and innovation driven by a diverse workforce, fueling business excellence, inclusivity and economic advancement.

    • Rick Sebastian, President & CEO of The Kennedy Collective.

• 11:30AM: Yes She Can - Work Skills Training, Social Skills and Mentorship

  • Work Skills training, combined with Social Skills training and a strong mentor, provides neurodiverse individuals with the tools they need to secure and maintain employment.

    • Robin L. Davies-Small, Executive Director of Yes She Can.

    • Darlene Schubert, Director of Training of Yes She Can, Inc.

• 12:15PM: Walgreens Hiring Model

  • Walgreens will share replicable strategies for implementing an inclusive hiring model and comprehensive training programs initiatives, designed to support career paths for individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

    • Marc Senia, Field Disability Inclusion Manager at Walgreens.

    • Julie Oakley, Area Field Disability Specialist at Walgreens.

• 12:45PM - 1:45PM: Lunch (catered by The Porch at Christies) and Prospector Gourmet Popcorn Tasting

• 1:45PM: Panel

  • Together Everything is Possible - Andrea Pecoriello, Owner & Founder of Sweet P Bakery and The Porch at Christies.

  • The Super Stars of Team Woofgang - Kelly Maffei, Co-Founder & Program Manager at Team Woofgang & Co.

    • Focusing on their current strengths & honoring their ability to do more, Team Woofgang & Co. strives to provide individuals with IDD the opportunity to learn and succeed in a safe environment, while equipping them with the skills necessary to become valuable contributors to their community.

  • Deb Rogan, Executive Director at Coffee for Good.

  • Danny Clarke, Coffee for Good Graduate, The Bruce Museum.

  • Suzanne Lio, Executive Director at Greenwich Symphony Orchestra and Former COO at Bruce Museum.

  • Felipe Rodriguez, Director of Security at Bruce Museum.

  • Jocelyn Barandiaran, President and Director of Westport Book Sale Ventures, Inc.

    • Jocelyn is looking forward to sharing with conference attendees their transformation from a traditional public library book sale operation, to a multi-faceted enterprise that provides inclusive employment and job training, in both a retail store environment, as well as in office-type and computer skills training. She’ll also share some of their longer term plans to continue to expand their impact.

• 2:45PM: Building a More Inclusive Economy

  • Laura DeFrancesco Ross, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Procure Impact

• 3:45PM: Break

• 4PM-6PM: Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 Per Hour)

  • Spectrum Designs: Empowering through Employment. (Kelli Fisher Marketing & Development Specialist at Spectrum Designs).

    • This presentation highlights the crucial importance of autism employment by exploring how it provides financial independence, fosters a sense of purpose, leverages unique inclusive practices.

  • Bridges to Employment: Resources, Strategies and Tips to Support Meaningful Work Opportunities / Stand Out or Fit In? 4 Application. Strategies to Help You Do Both. (Jessica DiValentino, Transition Coordinator at Ridgefield Public Schools, Brad Bellagamba, HR Director at The Prospector.)

    • Jessica will discuss strategies, tips and resources to create meaningful employment opportunities for all

    • Brad will teach you how to share your sparkle, highlight your employability, and stand out to fit in.

  • Exploring my Sparkle Throughout the Years / Do What You Love and Love What You Do (Ali Wood, Usher Manager at The Prospector, Joe Gillotti, Usher & Embroidery at The Prospector.)

    • Ali will share her struggles in finding meaningful employment, until she started working at the Prospector where she was able to explore her Sparkle which has allowed her to gain confidence, thrive and succeed at a job while using AAC to communicate with.

• 6PM: Final Comments & Conclusion