Vantage Point Speaker Series
Next' Vantage Point' Puts Diversity & Inclusion in Focus
The Embry-Riddle Worldwide College of Business will present the next installment of its renowned Vantage Point speaker series at 6 p.m. ET on May 19, part of an ongoing effort to provide fresh, professional perspectives on today's complex world of international business. The live, interactive event will feature The Diversity Movement CEO Donald Thompson, who will discuss "The ROI on Diversity & Inclusion."
The Diversity Movement (TDM), located in Raleigh, NC., started in 2019 with five innovators passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). What began as a trial for one eLearning course — focused on inclusion and bottom-line results — quickly became a full-service DEI consultancy. TDM now employs 12 full-time staff members and has a portfolio of over 30 clients.
Thompson will share his thoughts on driving diversity & inclusion in the workplace and the business case behind the policy decisions.
The Vantage Point series was created to offer a platform for industry leaders from around the globe to discuss topics that impact and improve business and organizational performance, as well as lead to personal growth.
"Embry-Riddle is in a unique position to establish a series such as this," said Dr. Maneesh Sharma, Dean of Worldwide's College of Business. "We have a worldwide platform that few institutions can match, and we want to break new ground in a positive way by creating a series that strengthens our direct connection to industry."
In addition to providing insights that audience members can turn into action, the one-hour online sessions also establish the Worldwide College of Business as a thought leader and open up new networking opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
"We're focusing on the three Is: Inform, Inspire, and Innovate," said Emily Baskin, Project Manager at the College of Business. "We want to help our audience connect to bigger thoughts."
Along with sharing industry knowledge and their visions for the future, Vantage Point speakers also will discuss their career paths and the obstacles they overcame along the way.
"Our speakers will be able to share aspects of their career journeys that students will be able to relate to and learn from," said Rachel Vigness, Assistant Professor and Director of Student Success at the College of Business, who worked with Baskin to bring the Vantage Point series to life. "The series will also bring real-world business issues and strategies to viewers, and the hope is to share these professional insights with everyone."
Dr. Sharma said the Vantage Point series has also added additional weight to the College of Business's reputation, which has grown steadily over the years. It has expanded beyond the world of aviation and aerospace.
"People know who we are," he said. "This series is another way we can maximize the potential of all the talented people we have working and learning here, and it sends the right message to the industry as well."
Watch Previous Vantage Point Sessions
March 25, 2021 – Blazing New Trails Through New Product Development with Sam Bruner and Terry Broussard
January 13, 2021 – How AI is Reshaping & Transforming the Aviation Industry with Jason Demkowicz, NetJets Aviation and Shelly Freeman, BoldIQ
October 30, 2020 – Building a Successful Brand with Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines
