2018 Philadelphia College Diversity Summit

Brenda is an active networker who has a multi-faceted background in both adult education and business. Her professional experience ranges from coordinating a unique training program at Unisys to providing academic and career counseling at both private and public colleges and universities. As an outplacement consultant for two of the area’s top firms, she instructed adults in career transition. She continues this professional assistance as a volunteer and on Facebook (Network 4 Success) and Twitter (VUOutreach). She has been a featured speaker on networking and other career topics at many organizations.

Brenda has served on the boards of the Greater Valley Forge Human Resources Association and the Greater Philadelphia Alliance of Colleges and Universities and founded a Professional Women’s Network. Additionally, she holds a masters degree in counseling and a bachelor degree in family studies.

For more nearly two decades, she hosted a range of professional events at Villanova, including the PA Diversity Council’s first College Summit. In this previous position, she also promoted the University’s graduate programs through marketing efforts and recruiting events at corporate sites.

Lauren Footman, a native of Yeadon, PA graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2014, with a bachelor's degree in English, and double minors in Political Science and Africana Studies.

While at Bryn Mawr College, she chartered a College Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; serving as President until she graduated. Since graduation, Lauren has continued her advocacy work, and serves as the President of the NAACP PA State Conference Youth and College Division. Besides advocacy work, Lauren is still very involved with her undergraduate institution. She and a fellow alumna, have created a mentoring initiative, Bryn Mawr Students Committed to Opportunities Progress and Empowerment (SCOPE). The group’s objective is to enhance Bryn Mawr’s current initiatives that support students of the African and Latin Diasporas, and aid in retention of students of color.

In 2016, Lauren completed the New Leaders Council Fellowship, where she participated in leadership development training, with the intent of creating positive change in Philadelphia, and its surrounding communities. She currently serves as Institute Community Relations Chair of New Leaders Council Philadelphia, and is a member of New Leader Council’s National Diversity Committee, where she chairs the Leadership Development Committee.

Lauren is currently employed at Aramark, and is working toward her Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania. Lauren remains committed to advocating for marginalized populations, and is always looking for ways to strategically create change in her community.

Brenda is an active networker who has a multi-faceted background in both adult education and business. Her professional experience ranges from coordinating a unique training program at Unisys to providing academic and career counseling at both private and public colleges and universities. As an outplacement consultant for two of the area’s top firms, she instructed adults in career transition. She continues this professional assistance as a volunteer and on Facebook (Network 4 Success) and Twitter (VUOutreach). She has been a featured speaker on networking and other career topics at many organizations.

Brenda has served on the boards of the Greater Valley Forge Human Resources Association and the Greater Philadelphia Alliance of Colleges and Universities and founded a Professional Women’s Network. Additionally, she holds a masters degree in counseling and a bachelor degree in family studies.

For more nearly two decades, she hosted a range of professional events at Villanova, including the PA Diversity Council’s first College Summit. In this previous position, she also promoted the University’s graduate programs through marketing efforts and recruiting events at corporate sites.

Ernest Owens is an award-winning journalist and CEO of Ernest Media Empire, LLC. Ernest covers a variety of social issues regarding race, LGBTQ, and pop culture. As an openly black gay journalist, he has made headlines for speaking frankly about intersectional issues in society.

At 27 years old, Ernest has already used his wide media platform to spread awareness on several important issues. He champions public access advocacy as a board governor of Philadelphia Community Access Media, diversity in the newsroom as the Treasurer of the Pen & Pencil Club, the nation’s oldest press club. His work has been featured on CNN, NPR, NBC News, USA Today, BET, and other media outlets. He’s a member of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, Online, News Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Association of Black Journalists. His work has been awarded the 2016 Trailblazer of the Year Award from the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and several others. He won the 2017 James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism for his coverage on racial discrimination in the LGBTQ community and Movement of the Year by the Philly Geek Awards. He was named the 2017 Emerging Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists. He can be found on Twitter and other social media platforms at @MrErnestOwens and ernestowens.com.

Jameel is the Director of Human Resources at Yoh, service line of Day & Zimmermann (D&Z). In this role Jameel partner’s with works with senior business leaders and leaders the HR Business Partner team in all aspects of Human Resources. Prior to his role with Day & Zimmermann, Jameel spent over 8 ½ years with the Aramark Corporation in a multitude of Talent Management and Human Resource roles. Those roles included the Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Organizational Development, and being an HR generalist in Aramark’s Sports and International groups.

Jameel has his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Development from St. Joseph’s University and is a graduate from Temple University with a Bachelor in Business Administration focusing on Human Resource Management and Management Information Systems. He has obtained Human Resource certifications from Villanova University, his Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR) from the Human Resource Certification Institute, and is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Jameel serves on several boards including President of the Philadelphia Society for Human Resource Management, the board of People for People Inc., the Graduate Advisory Board for Peirce College, Research for Action, and the Advisory board for Jane Hires.

Jameel has been recognized numerous times for his work in the Philadelphia and HR community including being nominated as an HR Rising Star of the Year in 2012 by the Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year Awards, receiving the HR Rising Star Award from Temple University in 2015, being named as one of Philadelphia’s Top 55 Connectors and Keepers by Leadership Philadelphia, and being placed on Philadelphia’s Top Professionals under 40 list by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2016. Jameel also serves as an adjunct professor at Temple University and participates in their HR Roundtable which uses local professionals to help guide the curriculum of their Human Resources Program. He is a proud Philadelphia native and graduate from the Central High School of Philadelphia.

With nearly 20 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of higher education and strategic communications, Kate Szumanski is an experienced and highly motivated professional who cares deeply about the students she serves.

Currently, Kate serves as Director of Professional Development and Internships at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the Office for Undergraduate Students at Villanova University. In this role, she:

• Teaches leadership and professional development courses on a variety of topics, from Professional Communication and Creativity & Innovation to Effective Leadership and Professional Networking.
• Directs internship experiences for students, supporting them as they identify opportunities, apply for them, interview, and accept an offer.
• Collaborates with student leaders and on-campus organizations to create and execute quality career and professional development programming.
• Designs and hosts career and professional development workshops on a variety of topics, from leveraging social media for career success to writing in the workplace.
• Positions the Office for Undergraduate Students through effective strategic communications and social media campaigns.

Prior to returning to Villanova University, Kate served as Communications Director at City Year Philadelphia, where she developed and executed comprehensive and integrated social media, Web, public relations, and media strategies to engage and influence a vast audience. Kate also provided critical expertise and service to City Year’s departments to ensure consistent communications, messaging, visual brand management and strategy, and media planning.

Before her role at City Year, Kate served as the Executive Communications Specialist in the Office of Business and Finance at The Ohio State University, where she communicated clear, concise, and relevant information related to business and finance initiatives to achieve short- and long-term strategic goals for the University.

Kate served as Director of Communications in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University for eight years before relocating to Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Villanova, a master’s degree in History from Villanova, and a master’s degree in journalism form the Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York City.

Kate lives in Merion Station, Pa., with her husband, Andrew, and three children, Peter (14), Tess (9), and Luke (6).

Fondly referred to as “The Multi-Gen Leader”, Krishna Powell is Founder & CEO of HR 4 Your Small Biz, LLC, a boutique style human resources consulting and talent development firm. As a nationally renowned subject-matter expert on the Millennial and i-Gen/Homeland generation, Krishna has facilitated talent development programs and coaching clients throughout the United States, France, China and Singapore. Mrs. Powell possesses an uncanny ability to connect with the next generation of leaders; providing them with practical applications for success in life and the workplace.

Krishna has acquired more than two decades of experience in Human Resources and Talent Management. She is a licensed FranklinCovey facilitator, conducting the international program 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Time Management, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and FOCUS: Achieving Your Highest Priorities. Mrs. Powell has curated and facilitated workshops for Fortune 500 companies such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Merrill Lynch, Molina Healthcare and Inverness Medical. Krishna also facilitates the following workshops: Code Blue: How To Resuscitate Your Multigenerational Workforce, They’re Here: Meet Gen Z, Effectively Leading Millennials, Wait! Don’t Leave: How To Keep Your Millennial Customers, How To Get Your Millennial Child Off Your Payroll, and The Millennial Mindset: 5 MASTER Moves Millennials Must Take To Be Taken Seriously, as well as a host of other customized workshops to improve employee morale, team building, communication, diversity and change management.

Krishna’s speaking engagements include the Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Essence Magazine and Steve Harvey, National Collegiate Leadership Conference, Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference, Girl Scouts of America - San Diego chapter, Missouri Statewide Diversity Conference, Rider University, and a host of various corporate and civic organizations. Additionally, she provides weekly tips and insights thru her show, Millennials Making Moves. Krishna is an alum of Morgan State University and Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. She is also a proud wife and mother.

Kyra Scalea manages Vanguard’s Community Stewardship employee volunteer and giving programs. In that role, Kyra is responsible for overseeing Vanguard’s volunteer service and giving programs for thousands of crew members at Vanguard’s three major U.S. sites in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Scottsdale, Arizona as well as for the firm’s global offices. She also manages the global corporate matching gift program. Representing Vanguard to the local communities, Kyra is often sought after as a speaker on corporate citizenship, community service as part of the corporate culture and employee altruism. Kyra holds dual certifications from Boston College, Carroll School of Management, Center for Corporate Citizenship (Practice 2013; Management 2017). She currently serves on the Greater Philadelphia Corporate Volunteer Council as well as the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Community Impact Leadership Roundtable. Kyra lives in Exton, PA with her husband Michael and four children, Emerson, Mary, Maddie and Gabe.

Michael Cieri currently works at SAP and leads virtual learning for SAP’s global sales organization. As part of this role, Michael and his team provides sales colleagues with learning assets to help them succeed in their role. Michael has been with SAP for 11 years and has been in various roles within Marketing and Sales. He also took part in SAP America’s first local social sabbatical program, where he partnered with a local nonprofit (Chester County Futures) for 5 weeks and helped the organization with multiple project to achieve their yearly goals. After the project was complete, Michael continued his work with Chester County Futures which led to his nomination to its Board of Directors in 2017.

While not working, Michael enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. He is an avid golfer and enjoys rooting for his favorite Philadelphia sports teams. Michael holds a BS in Marketing from La Salle University, and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University.

Michelle Johnson, M.S., HRD is a Human Resource Professional dedicated to the development of women and minorities personally and professionally. Currently Michelle works as an Education and Development Coordinator at Main Line Health where she has been employed since 2015. In this role Michelle serves as a Career Advisor to adult learners seeking advancement in their careers as well as college preparation. Prior to that role Michelle, worked as a Recruitment Coordinator. In addition to that role, Michelle assumed the role as Site Coordinator and mentor at Main Line Health for the partnership program with Cristo Rey High School located in North Philadelphia. This unique program provides real-world work experiences for students in the health system located in suburban Philadelphia. Michelle worked directly with departments across the organization as well as the students to place them in a department that would provide them the most enriching experience. Michelle continues to serve as a mentor to both High School Students and MLH Adult learners by participating in mock-interviews, workshops, panels, college preparation, resume development and career discussions.

Michelle has also served as a member of the Villanova Women of Color Committee which is an organization dedicated to increasing self-confidence, self-esteem and strong academic performance and service of minority women. For fun, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends and volunteers her professional expertise to members of her church community. Michelle is a graduate of Villanova University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development and Certificate in Human Resource Management. GO CATS!

Rodney D. Robbins, Jr. is the Corporate Social Responsibility Program Manager for T. Rowe Price in Baltimore, MD where he manages global programs, campaigns, events, and initiatives to promote the company brand. Prior to joining T. Rowe Price, Rodney was the Manager of Community Engagement for VILLA – Join The Movement where he created and developed national programs, strategic plans, goals, objectives, policies and procedures for the “Join The Movement” community engagement initiative.

Prior to joining VILLA, Rodney served as the Youth Wellness Coordinator for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Get Healthy Philly initiative where he worked to reduce chronic diseases related to smoking, unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity through a series of citywide policies, system and environmental reforms. Rodney also worked for the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation. There he held several positions over a five-year period and served on the Citywide Performing Arts committee.

Rodney received his B.S. in Business Administration and B.A. in Communication Arts, summa cum laude, from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 2007. He received his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2012 and his LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2014. Rodney has served as a National Advisory Board Member for the National Black Law Students Association, Pipeline Committee Co-Chair for the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and Board Member for the Community Women’s Education Project. Rodney is a Philadelphia native and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.