Schedule

NOTE: All times are listed in Eastern Time. Schedule is subject to change.

Keynote sessions

Intersections: Where DEI and wellbeing meet

Bertice Berry, PhD
Sociologist and bestselling author Bertice Berry, PhD, will illustrate the power of diversity in enabling you to bring wellness to your life, home and work environment. "DEI is not about kumbaya; can't we all get along," says Berry. "It's about critical thinking. The more diverse the environment and individuals in the environment, the more creative and productive the outcomes. The self is social; we are a product of everyone in our world. The more diverse, the more we evolve and become." Using her unique brand of humor and storytelling, Berry will engage the audience with joy and tools you can use.

Nourishing roots: An indigenous culinary journey

Chef Brave Heart
Join Chef Brave Heart in a captivating cooking demonstration that delves into Indigenous food sovereignty and the profound significance of preserving and learning from our ancestral stories through food. Discover the flavors and stories that have sustained Indigenous communities for generations, and explore the path to reclaiming culinary heritage.

Fostering belonging and human connection at work

Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky
Where compassion and care are at the core of the veterinary profession, fostering a sense of belonging and human connection is crucial for both practitioners and clients. Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky will explore how veterinary professionals can cultivate environments that nurture positive interpersonal relationships, enhance teamwork, and promote a sense of belonging for both teams and clients.

Breakout sessions

Navigating conflict and violence in the workplace through a psychological lens: Prevention, real-time responses, and coping in the aftermath

Jane Jenkins, PhD
Dorsey Howard, PsyD
Dustin Kieschnick, PsyD
This panel will address the increasing incidence of conflict in the workplace from a psychological perspective. Facilitators will approach the topic from three vantage points: preventing conflict; de-escalating situations in real time; and coping—both individually and as a team—after a distressing incident has occurred.

Workplace allyship: How to have daring conversations

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk
Using activities from the Step into Your Moxie® vocal empowerment system, participants in this timely workshop will explore the mindset and behaviors required to show up as allies in the workplace. We'll also practice communication strategies and prompts to make a habit of creating safety and belonging for daring, necessary conversations about identity.

Understanding intersectionality and creating a culture where people thrive

Naomi Nishi, PhD
In the fast-paced world of veterinary medicine, success isn't just about the bottom line. It's about fostering environments where everyone can thrive. This session takes us on a journey that explores the powerful concept of intersectionality and its role in shaping inclusive and equitable environments where everyone can truly flourish.

Shifting from code-switching to belonging

Courtney McCluney, PhD
Among the many factors that get in the way of wellbeing at work is the belief that our coworkers will not accept and welcome our authentic selves. Stereotypes and biases attached to social identities may lead team members from underrepresented groups to code-switch or adjust their self-presentation to ensure they are treated fairly. Coupled with the lack of psychological safety, these behaviors reduce experiences of belonging.

During this session, we explore how shifts in our policies and practices can lessen the need to code-switch and help foster a culture of belonging. Attendees will develop a deeper understanding of code-switching and belonging; practice identifying workplace norms that make code-switching necessary; and imagine other ways of working that are inclusive of the whole veterinary team.

The cumulative effect of microaggressions

Marian Vasser, MEd
Microaggressions are subtle yet pervasive forms of discrimination that often go unnoticed in our daily interactions. While many of us are familiar with the concept, few realize the profound effects that microaggressions have on individuals' physical and mental wellbeing, self-esteem, and professional growth. We'll delve into the definitions and examples of microaggressions, shedding light on their intersectional nature and the harm they can have when left unaddressed.

Self-care workshop: I am because we are

Bertice Berry, PhD
Wellness begins with we. This workshop will share tools for understanding, finding and living the healthy balance between the individual and the world around us. As participants, we'll engage in story sharing and learn to hear our own selves more clearly. We'll leave empowered to empower.

Meet the presenters

Bertice Berry, PhD

Bertice Berry, PhD, is a bestselling author and award-winning lecturer. She has held the titles of Comedian of The Year, Lecturer of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. She has published 11 bestselling books in both fiction and nonfiction, and has won awards and accolades for both her writing and presentations.

Chef Brave Heart

A citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Chef Brave Heart instinctually embraces both her Indigenous and Jewish heritage. She has always held a deep respect for her people, and has the ability to tell the history and stories of her people through her food. Chef Brave Heart strives to combine the power of storytelling, cultural preservation, and gastronomy to create unique experiences that educate and delight audiences. As a professional inspirational speaker and Indigenous chef, she leverages her expertise in the culinary arts, cultural heritage, and entrepreneurial expertise to deliver captivating presentations, cooking demonstrations, and immersive dining experiences. Chef Brave Heart has received numerous awards and has been featured in media outlets including Food Travel Magazine, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and the New York Times.

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk is a certified coach, yoga and meditation teacher, facilitator, and keynote speaker. She dedicates her time and energy to sharing evidence-based information regarding mental health and wellbeing. In doing so, she inspires veterinary team members to make lasting changes in their lives.

With more than 20 years of veterinary practice experience in academic, private, and corporate settings, Dr. Holowaychuk has led workshops and lectures and delivered keynotes to a range of audiences worldwide. She also offers communication and wellness coaching to veterinary professionals. Her online programs From Burnout to Balance, From Toxic to Terrific, and Building Better Boundaries have garnered praise and rave reviews.

She is a member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association's Wellness Advisory Group; the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Wellness Task Force.

Courtney McCluney, PhD

Courtney L. McCluney earned her PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan. She is the founder and CEO of Equiwell Partners firm. Her work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, the World Economic Forum, BBC, and NPR.

Naomi Nishi, PhD

Naomi Nishi, PhD, is a scholar practitioner with almost 20 years of experience in higher education. Her research focuses on issues of racial equity and social justice in adult and higher education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). She is the assistant dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.

Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky

When companies want to increase workplace belonging, human connection, and team engagement, they call Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky. Poswolsky is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, workplace belonging expert, and bestselling author of three books that have been translated into multiple languages, including "The Quarter-Life Breakthrough" and "Friendship in the Age of Loneliness." He shares industry-shaping insights and practical tools to attract and retain top talent across generations, create a culture of belonging, and engage high-performing teams at world-class organizations like Apple, Google, Verizon, JPMorgan Chase, and the U.S. Navy. His TED talk has been viewed 2 million times, and he has delivered 600 keynotes in front of 250,000 people in 25 countries. His work has been featured in 100 media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, the New York Times, the New Yorker, and the World Economic Forum.

Marian Vasser, MEd

Marian Vasser is the vice president of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging at the University of Louisville. She has over 30 years of experience conducting 2,000+ workshops across the nation. In 2019, she was selected to participate in the Harvard University Leading for Student Success in Higher Education training program.

As a practitioner of diversity education and inclusive excellence, Vasser develops and delivers diversity and inclusion training opportunities and workshops focusing on implicit bias, microaggressions, privilege and power, cultural humility, engaging in difficult dialogues, and more. Working with school districts across Kentucky, she advocates for equity-focused education. In addition to working with K-12 and higher education institutions, she conducts training for corporations, faith-based communities, government agencies, and beyond.