Live Webinar: DEI in Action: How to Move from Dialogue to Execution

Description

In this session, attendees will learn how to build out an actionable DEI program within their association, even without an expert on staff. We will explore how to source content, get member buy-in, and promote DEI programming to your community, and to fight feelings of analysis paralysis and the tendency to overthink DEI strategies in an attempt to avoid missteps. Nikki will discuss her association's journey through creating a DEI Training & Certificate program conceptualized and built by volunteers and staff, which has led to industry recognition and positive member reviews. The presentation will discuss how to decide what program format might be right for you, how to build on what members may already be doing in the DEI space, and how to lean on association partners for content. Join us for a discussion on how to act on DEI in your organization.

Learning Objectives:

Create DEI programming based on the desired outcomes of their DEI initiative and membership at large.
Understand that perfection can often be the enemy of progress, and focus on being actionable and intentional in their efforts.
Take away the building blocks of how to execute on a DEI program that is impactful, affordable, and meaningful for their association.

This program may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements.
Live webinar participants must attend for a minimum of 45 minutes in order to be eligible for the CEUs associated with this program.

Contributors

Nikki Palluzzi, CAE, Director of Membership & Customer Engagement, Institute of Food Technologists

Nikki Palluzzi, CAE, is a seasoned association executive professional with over 17 years of experience. She spent the first ten years of her career at SmithBucklin, working primarily with leadership and volunteer programs in technology user groups. In 2015, she moved to the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), where her focus was primarily on membership engagement and recruitment, DEI efforts, and volunteer management. During her time at NAPFA, membership grew over 75%, but she's most proud of the programming she created for diverse groups within the association. As of December of 2023, Nikki is the Director of Membership & Customer Engagement at the Institute for Food Technologists (IFT) where she’s focused on creating a connected and positive member experience for the food science community.

Nikki's passion is for creating inclusive, collaborative communities, and to that end, she has been an active Forum volunteer for several years. She has served on the awards committee, the WE committee, as a mentor in the Emerging Leaders program, as a facilitator of the CAE study group program, and most recently is the vice chair of the member engagement committee. In 2022, Nikki was named as one of Association Forum's Forty under 40.

Description

Contributors

Nikki Palluzzi, CAE, Director of Membership & Customer Engagement, Institute of Food Technologists