This roundtable discussion will grapple with the topics of workplace inclusion and belonging amidst the deepening politicization of DEI, heightened religious conflict, and the tensions that often arise during an election year. In an era where political landscapes can create unique challenges for organizations looking to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, panelists will share strategies and best practices for maintaining an inclusive workplace environment in an era where civil discourse seems a lost art.
Check out these additional resources to learn more:
- What is psychological safety at work? Here’s how to start creating it
- SHRM 1 Million Civil Conversations
- SHRM_2024_Cards_Against_Incivility.pdf
- Cultivating Psychological Safety at Work
- Google fires employees over protest
Learn more about our speakers!
Moderator: Kristine Maciolek Small (she/her) Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, NFI Industries |
Kristine Maciolek Small is the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at the NFI Industries’ Human Resources Department. In this role, she provides Human Resources leadership for the company’s diversity strategy, veterans, and disability recruiting efforts, and HR compliance. She also leads efforts to advance a more inclusive and equitable workplace in alignment with the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion values.Maciolek Small, who joined NFI in 2022, was previously at PPL Corporation for 8 years serving as Senior Counsel in the Office of General Council and then Director of Diversity and Inclusion in the Corporate HR Department. Maciolek Small earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from York College of Pennsylvania and her juris doctorate from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America. In 2020, she earned the Diversity and Inclusion Professionals Certificate from Cornell University, ILR School.
Maciolek Small serves on the DEI Advisory Council of the Lehigh Valley Inter-Regional Networking Council (“LINC”) and the Board of the Literacy Center, in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Panelists:
Steven E. Hoffman, Esq. (he/him) Partner, Hoffman & Hlavac |
Steve graduated from George Washington University in 1988 and subsequently graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1991. Steve is admitted to both the bars of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and to practice before the United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of Pennsylvania, the District of New Jersey, the Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Steve devotes his practice to complex commercial litigation matters with a particular emphasis on defending employment-related litigation and civil rights actions. Steve represents private and public sector employers in a variety of labor matters.
Through his litigation practice, Steve has extensive experience with employment discrimination and harassment cases. Steve has tried a number of restrictive covenant and trade secrets claims and has also represented clients in cases involving wage and hour issues, including handling collective actions brought under the FLSA. Steve has defended manufacturers and retailers in product liability cases. He has also represented doctors, lawyers, and other professionals in malpractice claims. Steve has tried and handled a variety of personal injury matters both for injured plaintiffs and for defendants.
Steve is frequently called upon by student athletes across Pennsylvania to represent them in challenging eligibility determinations made by the PIAA and local districts. Steve has tried numerous cases in the federal and state courts located throughout Pennsylvania. He has argued before all of Pennsylvania’s appellate courts. He is frequently called upon by other attorneys and the Court to serve as a mediator or an arbitrator. Steve began his career as the law clerk to the Honorable Robert Simpson, Jr. of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. Formerly, he served as an Assistant Northampton County Solicitor. He is a resident of South Whitehall Township. Steve currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Lehigh Valley 200 and the Bar Association of Lehigh County. Steve was a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown.
Robin Riley-Casey (she/her) Director of Diversity Initiatives, Muhlenberg College |
I am an Ohio native, equity advocate, sports enthusiast and a poet.
As the Director of the Office of Multicultural Life (OML) and the Multicultural Center, it is my responsibility to support a just and equitable community at Muhlenberg College. OML serves as a campus-wide resource that facilitates and promotes a learning community of multicultural understanding and exchange through collaboration, dialogue, andd action.
The Office of Multicultural Life is committed to making a difference in the lives of all students while advocating explicitly for the concerns of historically underrepresented populations. We welcome your support in this endeavor.
David Gomez (he/him) General Counsel, Olympus Corporation of the Americas |
Dave joined Olympus in 2016, has held a variety of leadership roles, and is now serving as the General Counsel for the Olympus Corporation of the Americas. In this strategic role, David works closely with the executive management, the Board of Directors, and leaders throughout the organization both within the Americas and globally. His key responsibilities include overseeing the organization’s legal matters affecting the Americas region and ensuring the efficient day-to-day functioning of the Legal Department. Dave also serves on the Executive Diversity Council and provides legal support to the Company’s Therapeutic Solutions Division (TSD).
Prior to joining Olympus in 2016, Dave worked at Morgan Lewis within its Labor and Employment Group, where he represented companies in litigation across the United States, conducted internal investigations, and advised clients across a range of issues. Prior to his tenure with Morgan Lewis, Dave worked in law firms in and around the Philadelphia area, specializing in civil litigation.
Dave received a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, and completed his undergraduate education at Penn State University, majoring in International Relations. In his personal time, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife and very active four children, while endeavoring to find time to read, stay active, and be outdoors.