PGE to host summit focused on diversity, inclusion and equity on May 23

Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric announced today it is hosting a Diversity Summit to bring thought leaders, government officials, business leaders and community members together to share ideas, build partnerships and create a path forward so all people feel valued, safe and included. This educational and thought-provoking summit will take place Wednesday, May 23, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

“This is the seventh regional diversity summit hosted by PGE. It’s an opportunity for people to come together and focus on enacting real change when it comes to diversity and inclusion in our community,” says Maria Pope, PGE president and CEO. “In light of current events, we believe this year’s summit is especially timely and will lead to productive conversations about equity and social justice.”

At the Diversity Summit, more than a dozen national and local experts will share insight on topics such as unconscious bias, generational differences, micro-aggressions, racism and privilege and more. More than 30 workshops are scheduled, and attendees in the legal and human resources professions may earn continuing educational credits. Examples of workshops include:

• Complicity with the Color Line: Racism, Power and Privilege in Oregon

• Courageous Conversations About Race

• Gender Diversity — When Women Thrive

• Leading Diversity and Inclusion: What’s Working and What’s Not Working

• Proven Pathways to Organizational Inclusion, Equity and Cultural Responsiveness

The summit will feature two world-renowned keynote speakers:

Shiza Shahid, co-founder and former CEO of the Malala Fund and current General Partner of NOW Ventures, will share the inspiring story of how she came to know and work with young Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban for advocating for education. Shahid is passionate about leveraging philanthropy, technology, venture capital and the media to drive social change.

Steve Robbins, founder of S.L. Robbins & Associates and expert on cognitive neuroscience, socio-psychology and communications, will provide an innovative, science-based look at the benefits of creating inclusive workplaces. Robbins will show that the key to battling bias in organizations begins with understanding how individuals’ brains operate and ultimately requires changes in organizational patterns of beliefs and behaviors.

Event details:

What: Diversity Summit 2018

When: Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Where: Oregon Convention Center 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97232

Tickets can be purchased at http://pgediversitysummit.com/register/ . Nonprofit and student rates are available.