In this setting, employees are paying close attention to how leaders communicate, make decisions, and demonstrate their commitment to creating workplaces where people feel valued, respected, and included.
This session will explore how leaders can strengthen trust and workplace culture during periods of change by focusing on transparent communication, belonging, equitable practices, employee voice, and meaningful opportunities for growth and connection.
Participants will learn how to:
Meet our Panelists
Dr. Bruce Smith, Executive Director of DEI, Portland State University
Dr. Bruce Smith is the Executive Director for DEI at Portland State University. Bruce is a long time higher education leader who has worked in K-12 and higher education for more than two decades as a teacher, professor, administrator, and coach. Bruce has worked with students, staff, faculty, and parents to develop strategies for success in the classroom and on the field of play. As a higher education administrator, Bruce has been a leader in student life, athletics, and equity and justice, working at both small private liberal arts colleges and flagship state institutions, in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon. Bruce specializes in leading inclusive engagement experiences; managing comprehensive student support; mentoring and supervising staff; creating connections between curriculum and co-curriculum; and developing equity and justice institutional strategies. As a professor and teacher, Bruce's work focuses on African American life and culture; the sociology of education; sport studies; and American studies. Having taught college courses at University of California, Berkeley; University of Arizona; and Colorado State University, Bruce possesses expertise in developing engaging, student centered, identity conscious pedagogy.
Oscar Rico-Cazares, Vice President of Human Resources, Relay Resources
Oscar Rico-Cazares is a progressive HR and operations leader with over a decade of experience in organizational operations, human resources, and workplace culture. He currently leads the Human Resources function at Relay Resources, a mission-driven social enterprise nonprofit, as a member of the executive team, serving as the Vice President of Human Resources. Oscar Rico-Cazares is a progressive HR and operations leader with over a decade of experience in organizational operations, human resources, and workplace culture. Oscar holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, concentrated on Human Resources Management, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy, with a graduate certificate in Teaching Adult Learners, all from Portland State University. Oscar is also a certified CliftonStrengths coach, focusing on supporting others in leveraging their top strengths to be successful in their roles. Driven by a passion for supporting community and underrepresented populations, Oscar serves on the board of Adelante Mujeres, a local nonprofit supporting marginalized Latina women providing holistic education and empowerment opportunities.
Moderator: Parna Mehrbani, Partner, Tonkon Torp LLP
Parna is a partner at Tonkon Torp LLP with an intellectual property practice focused on trademark registration and enforcement, and advising and litigating trademark portfolios for local, national, and international companies. She works with companies at all stages of growth and has expertise in the apparel, footwear, consumer products, software, food and beverage, cannabis, and education services industries. In her privacy law practice, Parna advises businesses and nonprofits on the management and security of personal data and the laws regulating its collection, use, and protection. She is a past chair of the Partners in Diversity Leadership Council, a past chair of the Oregon State Bar Professionalism Commission, and a recipient of the Multnomah Bar Association’s Diversity Award. Parna speaks regularly on matters of diversity, equity, inclusion, and professionalism. Parna is a member of Tonkon Torp’s Managing Board and serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Information Privacy & Security practice groups.
This session is designed for HR professionals, senior leaders, managers, directors, and those responsible for shaping workplace culture and strategy.
This session provides SHRM credits.
