Speakers | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit

Shola Richards, Founder & CEO, Go Together™ Global Best-selling Author, Speaker, Coach & Consultant

Over a decade ago, Shola Richards uncovered a power within himself – finding inspiration in spite of a tumultuous and despondent work culture, and life-altering experience. He started the Go Together™ Movement – a transformational roadmap of mindset, behaviors and tools that transform workplace cultures and drive results. He helps organizations build compassion, competence and accountability in the workplace.

Pam Confer, Ph.D., Corporate Humorist, Master HR Trainer, Jazz Artist, Confer Consulting and Communications, LLC

Pam Confer, Ph.D., is an award-winning, bilingual professional speaker, business consultant and public relations expert. She holds a certificate in diversity, equity and inclusion from Cornell University, is a TEDx Women presenter and master soft-skills trainer. Along with serving as a Gallup Strengths Coach, Dr. Confer is also a certified Franklin Covey and a certified Myers-Briggs practitioner. She is the author of the theory of "Circle-Shifting," influencing the movement of personal and professional circles from within. Her open mind, personal stories, and amusing training style are unmatched.

Dr. Confer has a certification in online learning from the National Institute of Online Learning (NIOL). She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Association of Talent Development, and the National Speakers Association. Dr. Confer has consulted in the public and private sectors for over 20 years. Dr. Confer also travels in person and virtually across the world, offering specialized keynotes, trainings, and comedic self-help talks. She has worked with a commendable listing of clients around the globe.

Naomi Mercer, Senior Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, American Bankers Association

Naomi Mercer provides guidance and thought leadership, develops resources and tools and helps member banks with their diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Naomi came to ABA after a military career where she served as an assistant professor in the Department of English and Philosophy at the United States Military Academy, and in the Pentagon running the Army’s gender integration and religious accommodation programs. She is the author of the academic monograph “Toward Utopia” (2015), a literary memoir, and the newly released “DEI Foundations: Practices to Accelerate Your Bank’s DEI Journey”.

Marina Gracias, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Varo Money, Inc.

Marina Gracias is responsible for DEI and Social Impact at Varo. Marina led the effort for Varo to obtain the first digital-only OCC national bank charter, deposit insurance from the FDIC and approval for a bank holding company from the Federal Reserve. Marina serves on the boards of UC Berkeley Executive Education and Junior Achievement Northern California.

Charm Bullard, Senior Advisor to the CEO, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC)

In her role at VCIC, Charm Bullard designs and facilitates educational programs on diversity, equity and inclusion for institutions across Virginia – having conducted over 400 workshops since 2016. Prior to joining VCIC, Charm spent 11 years working in various student affairs roles on collegiate campuses throughout the Southeast. Charm founded the Connecting Women of Color Conference at the University of Richmond, which was featured in Women in Higher Education and Essence magazines.

Sar Moon Rose, IT Data Quality Senior Engineer, Fulton Bank

Sar Moon Rose (they/them) began as a summer teller at Fulton Bank during university, and came back in 2010 to spend 12 years at Fulton Financial Advisors/Fulton Private Bank before taking on their current role. Sar is the founder and chair of the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, Fulton Pride. They also serve as a co-facilitator for Fulton Bank’s company-wide Allyship Training Program.

Ishan Bhabha, Partner, Jenner & Block

Ishan Bhabha is a partner at Jenner & Block and a co-chair of its DEI Protection Task Force. Named as one of the country’s 40 best lawyers under 40 by Bloomberg Law and the National Law Journal in 2021, Ishan represents large companies and organizations in their highest-stakes litigations and regulatory disputes. In recent years, he has become one of the nation’s preeminent lawyers concerning issues related to the DEI in the corporate sphere. Prior to joining Jenner and Block he worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and clerked for then-Judge Merrick Garland and Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Cory Paradis, ADAC, COO of VisitAble LLC.

Cory is a life-long wheelchair user, and has experienced barriers related to mobility his entire life. He quickly discovered that the world was not designed for people with disabilities in mind, and that became his passion. Cory helps create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all, by working to remove barriers and change attitudes related to disability.

Joe Jamison, CPACC, CEO & Founder of VisitAble LLC.

Joe's father has used a wheelchair for his entire life, and Joe noticed how his father was treated differently from the rest of his family. He created VisitAble to enhance disability inclusion and create better experiences for people with disabilities.

Yokota Strong, EVP, COO, Broadway Bank

Yokota Strong manages the regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering and fraud departments at Broadway Bank. Yokota served as a meteorologist and oceanographer in the U.S. Navy. He serves on the board of the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce and has recently launched Strong Heritage Risk Advisors LLC., which offers DEI services in addition to other risk management services. His firm is an LGBTQ certified business through the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), and it has received the “By Black” certification through U.S. Black Chambers Inc. Yokota serves as a member of ABA’s DEI Advisory Group.

Samantha Maston (She/Her), BSA CTR Analyst, Fulton Bank

Samantha has been in banking for 20 years, beginning her career in a call center. She worked for multiple branches, through four mergers, two branch closures and a few transfers – before coming to Fulton Bank, where she’s been for 7 years. Samantha transitioned publicly, socially and in her career as a transgender woman in late 2020, and has since become the co-chair of Fulton Pride, the bank’s employee resource group.

Jake Mowry, VP, Marketing Manager, F&M Bank

Jake Mowry is a seasoned financial marketer with a passion for connecting financial brands with effective B2B and B2C strategies. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Jake has successfully promoted a better way to bank through his innovative approaches and creative thinking. Jake is an active member and dedicated advocate of the LGBTQ+ community. He strongly believes in fostering inclusivity, diversity, and equality within the financial sector and beyond.