February Nerd Therapy: DEI in Tech — Breaking Stereotypes

During our next Nerd Therapy, our panelists will cover the state of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the technology sector and how organizations can build cultures where all employees can thrive.

As a company (and an industry) we have work to do to increase diversity and build inclusion into our foundation. We’re all here to learn, and we look forward to bringing the technology community together at Nerd Therapy.

Panelists:

• Amanda Lannert — CEO, Jellyvision
• Tom Alexander — CEO & Co-founder, Holistic
• Marquis Miller — Chief Diversity Officer, City of Chicago

Haven't attended? Check out our highlight reel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngfYNiyEULw&t

Agenda:
5:30-6 p.m.: Food, drinks, networking and craft beer tasting
6-7:30 p.m.: Nerd Therapy
7:30-8:30 p.m.: Continued networking, food and drinks

Your host:
Gregg Walrod — Head of Software Engineering, Nerdery Chicago:

Gregg is a proven business leader that focuses on the employee and client experiences. He works as the Head of Software Engineering where he leads and supports the Chicago & Phoenix-based teams. He has worked in numerous leadership roles in his 15-year services business career, which includes leading Geek Squad in China. In his spare time, Gregg is an avid hockey player and loves to travel abroad.

Panelists:
Amanda Lannert — CEO, Jellyvision:

Amanda Lannert is the CEO of Jellyvision, the maker of interactive benefits communication software ALEX. More than 1,500 companies (including 114 of the Fortune 500 and two-fifths of the country's 25 largest companies) use ALEX to help their employees understand complex topics, from choosing a healthcare insurance plan to saving for retirement or navigating a leave of absence.

Since taking over Jellyvision’s helm in 2011, Amanda has played a key role in the company’s success: she spearheaded Jellyvision’s pivot from a services agency to a profitable software-as-a-service company, growing the company's customer count by 250% in the last three years.

Amanda was named CEO of the Year at the Moxie Awards in 2014 and 2015, Woman in Tech in 2016, Woman of the Year for the Chicago Rotary Club of 2018, and was recognized as 2016’s Industry Champion and 2018’s CEO of the Year by the Illinois Technology Association. She is quick to laugh and enjoys a good cupcake.

Tom Alexander — CEO & Co-founder, Holistic:

Tom Alexander is founder and CEO of Holistic, a people analytics company dedicated to the use of data to foster more equitable, fair, inclusive and optimistic workplaces. Holistic gathers and analyzes thousands of data points on behalf of its clients and produces actionable plans and findings that are useful in driving real change within organizations. Previously, Tom served as COO of 1871 and worked as deputy communications director for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Tom lives in Chicago with his wife Tiffany, 8 year old son Ben, and four year old twins Lyla and Sam.

Marquis Miller — Chief Diversity Officer, City of Chicago:

Marquis Miller is the City of Chicago’s first Chief Diversity Officer. He will work with Candace Moore, Chief Equity Officer, in the Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) where he will support the City’s strategic human capital activities, diverse vendor initiatives, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and the work of the OERJ in policy and systems development.

Prior to joining the City, he was managing principal of The Business Mosaic LLC, and held vice president and business leadership roles at the NMSDC, SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc., Chicago State University, the Chicago Urban League, the UNCF, and The Ohio State University. A thought leader in the fields of organizational leadership, diversity and durability, Marquis is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), as recognized by the National Diversity Council.