Tech on Tap: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Join the KC Tech Council as we take Tech on Tap offline and back to real-time with our most important topic yet: diversity, equity and inclusion. Kansas City has showcased its resiliency throughout the pandemic. Now, Kansas City has another opportunity to meet the moment and embrace the challenge of creating the most inclusive workforce in the US. 

This Tech on Tap will feature five guests who will present their organization's approach to creating a diverse, equal and inclusive culture. Each presenter is allotted five minutes to share their strategy and five minutes to discuss it with attendees. This format is designed to share knowledge while creating actionable steps to eliminate inequality.

Libations and light appetizers will be provided by our gracious host, Veracity Consulting.

Learn about the speakers:

Kelly O'Connor | Garmin International | STEM Diversity and Recruitment Specialist

Kelly O’Connor is a Kansas City native who is very passionate about Diversity and Inclusion! Kelly is currently working at Garmin to help promote and start diversity and inclusion initiatives while also helping with STEM outreach and campus recruiting.
 

LaToya Garcia | T-Mobile | Sr. Manager Learning & Development

LaToya Garcia leads DE&I Learning & Development at T-Mobile. Motivated by her passion to foster a sense of belonging for all, LaToya and team create inclusive learning experiences and equitable development opportunities to support T-Mobiles Equity In Action efforts; to embed diversity, equity and inclusive behaviors across our culture, talent pipelines and partners.

Liz Wait | VMLY&R | Technology Specialist

Liz Wait, a 2019 Launchcode bootcamp graduate, is VMLY&R’s chair for their DEI in Technology ERG. She is incredibly passionate about diversity in the workplace and underrepresented people in technology.

RaeAnn Lovall | Homebase.ai | Chief People Officer

RaeAnn Lovall is the Chief People Officer at one of Kansas City's smartest start-ups, Homebase.ai. RaeAnn and the Homebase team are building the Future of Living with IoT solutions that create new revenue for property owners and smart home amenities for residents. 

 

Shay Hibler | NIPR | Software Quality Engineer II

Shay is very passionate about DE&I and extremely happy in regards to her companies efforts to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. The throughput of DE&I is culture and she can’t wait to share what we’ve done so far to ensure our culture is sound.