The 32nd Annual Northwest Public Employees Diversity Conference will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at the Oregon Convention Center.
Conference schedule.
8:00 AM
REGISTRATION OPEN → Portland Ballroom Lobby
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
BREAK
9:15 AM - 12:15 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION (for elected officials, executives and department/bureau directors)
9:15 AM - 10:45 AM
WORKSHOP PERIOD 1
Human-Centered Design in Action: Building Inclusive Public Services - Suzanne Boyd
Making Menopause Work - Kylie Bayer
Courageous and Compassionate Feedback - Parfait Bassalé
Transforming Spaces Through Restorative Practices: From Principles to Impact - Ebony Jeffries
The Intersections of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging within Indian Country - Adam Becenti
Beyond Headlines: Confronting Anti-Arab Hate & Islamophobia - Mawadda Amboun and Emilie Azorr
Tortoise Teaching: Building a Trauma Informed Human Services Training Plan - Lesley Delapaz
Effective Communication: Working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Timothy Vander Ploeg
10:45 AM - 11:05 AM
BREAK
11:05 AM - 12:35 PM
WORKSHOP PERIOD 2
Invisible Scars: Trauma, Identity, and Compassionate Leadership in Public Service - Magdianamy Carrillo-Sotomayor
Making Menopause Work - Kylie Bayer
Between Cultures: Navigating Identity and Inclusion in a Globalizing Workforce - Ismail Jirde Warsame
Interrupting Oppression: Embodiment and Strategies - Isabel Mesa Vasquez and David Kennedy-Wong
The Intersections of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging within Indian Country - Adam Becenti
Upholding Values: Navigating Ethical and Legal Responsibilities During Global Conflict and Genocide - Emilie Azorr, Drew Bibee, Robin Easton-Davis, and Alis Smbatyan
Achieving Equitable Outcomes Through Engagement and Communication - Harmonee Dashiell and Magan Reed
Effective Communication: Working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Timothy Vander Ploeg
12:35 PM - 2:10 PM
LUNCH PROGRAM → Portland Ballroom
Robert Phillips Regional Diversity Award
Keynote
2:10 PM - 2:30 PM
BREAK
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
WORKSHOP PERIOD 3
How Community Power Built a Model for Equity-Centered Government Investment - Wendy Serrano and Hamdi Ali
From Fear to Fortitude: Advancing DEI Amid Legal and Political Uncertainty - Barry Johnson-Smith
Between Cultures: Navigating Identity and Inclusion in a Globalizing Workforce - Ismail Jirde Warsame
Resilience and Pride: Lessons from Queer and Trans Communities - Meiver De la Cruz and Davey Schlasko
Team Health: Activities to Rejuvenate Your Colleagues - Cheryl Denise Baker
Unpacking Antisemitism and Anti-Palestinian Racism: A Framework for Collective Liberation - Toby Lyons, Anthony Bencivengo, Mar Zusman, and Maxine Fookson
Achieving Equitable Outcomes Through Engagement and Communication - Harmonee Dashiell and Magan Reed
Care, Commitment, and Culture: How We Built the State’s Most Successful Equity and Inclusion Committee -Shawn Sullivan, Dominique Turman, Sarah Brown, and Sara Deane
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
OPTIONAL NETWORKING RECEPTION → Portland Ballroom Lobby
5:30 PM
CONFERENCE ENDS