Douglas Simmons | September 10, 2016

Atlanta, September 10, 2016 / -- On Thursday, September 8, 2016 the Cox Communications’ Atlanta Diversity Council Sponsored Diversity Day on their COX Enterprise, Inc. Corporate Campus in Atlanta, GA. The Community Pillar team of the ADC partnered with The Atlanta chapter of National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) to present The 2016 Diversity Leadership Summit. The Summit Theme: “Change. Challenge. Opportunity. Breaking out of your Comfort Zone”

The summit was for corporate professionals from diverse backgrounds, cultures and industries who were ready to break out of their comfort zone and learn how to become a leader at work, home and in the community

Johannes Eckert (SVP IT and Network Ops) Cox Communications opened the day and shared how he broke out of his comfort zone.

The morning workshop speaker Jennifer L. Smith, Executive coach and leadership authority, CEO and founder of the Passionate Leader Institute, spoke to the attendees about the importance of positioning themselves as the obvious choice for opportunities.

Christina Kisley, President and CEO, Life-Long Leadership (L3) and Ly Bui, Manager of Employer Brand, IHG - InterContinental Hotels Group, led our Human Resource speaker session.

Conference members also enjoyed a diverse menu at the CTECH Jim Robbins Cafeteria - Cuban Pork Roast, Orange Chili Mojo-Entrée Station, Roasted Chicken Tandoori-Entrée, and the Beer Braised Sausage w\ Kraut. Sodexo Managers, Ed Riley and Nigist Fassil decorated the cafeteria in Spanish, Indian and German culture. The German Beer Braised Sausage with Kraut was a hit.

Rico Peña, CEO/Master Trainer, with Peña Global, kicked off the afternoon session. He discussed how people with different temperaments can be effective leaders in their own way. He also shared how he was taught as a leader in the USMC to take the idea of a leader and turn it into action.

The following Executive Panel leaders closed the afternoon summit- Kevin Kim, VP of Private Client Advisor, US Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Son Pham, Director of University Relations Strategy, Cox Communications, Grace Huang, Senior Vice President of Inventory Services, Manheim North America, Tony Krueck, Vice President of Product Development and Management for Connected Home Solutions, Cox Communications and Jerry M. Chang, Managing Director, Navigant Consulting, Inc. / Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC. The panelist provided feedback on what it takes to be a strong leader, how they got to their current position, who were the biggest influences in their career and life. They provided examples and strategies on professional and personal development.

Images- Douglas Simmons, Janice Cass and Cleveland Crumbly (Click: Here)

The 2016 Diversity Leadership Summit- Testimonials (Click: Here)

Atlanta Diversity Council − Community Pillar Mission

COX's Commitment to diversity & inclusion extends beyond our workplace into our communities. Social Responsibility-- with an emphasis on supporting youth, education and environmental sustainability -- lies at the heart of our company values and our targeted efforts directly support the many facets of the richly diverse communities we serve.

Members: Council Executive Directors Johannes G. Eckert and Belinda Turner.  

Atlanta Diversity Council Chair: Alysia Long

Community Pillar Members: Douglas Simmons - Chair; Agnes Francis Adolphine - Co Chair; Cleveland Crumbley; Shernovius Bennett;  Robin Dunson and  Smith Lordeus.

National Association of Asian American Professionals – Atlanta

The National Association of Asian American Professionals is a non-profit organization that cultivates and empowers Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through professional development, community service, and networking.

Founded in 1997, NAAAP Atlanta is the local chapter of National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to cultivate, support and promote Asian American leaders through professional development programs, community services engagements, and diverse industry connections.

Members: Josh Pham, President & Chairman of the Board

Nozomi Morgan, VP, Professional Development

Jenny Huynh, VP, Member Relations

Cindy Lam, VP, Community Relations

Andrew Su, VP, Finance

Jayme Chen, VP, Marketing

Ashley Mack, VP, National Liaison

0900  - Opening and Keynote Johannes G. Eckert, Sr. Vice President, Enterprise Development & Operations, Cox Communications

0945 -  Leadership Workshop I

“A Leadership Mindset for Success: Position Yourself as the Obvious Choice” - Jennifer L. Smith, CEO & Founder, Passionate Leader Institute Leaders today are continually challenged to do more with less, achieve aggressive targets, be innovative, and ensure that employees are engaged. The expectation is that they deliver and achieve goals regardless of what is going on in the fast, ever-changing world that we live in today just to meet expectations. Leaders show that they are savvy with the actions they take and the behaviors they choose when working with colleagues. One’s mindset plays a critical role in positioning you for the success that you desire.

1100 -  HR Discussion One-on-One  

Christina Kisley, President and CEO, Life-Long Leadership (L3)

Ly Bui, Manager of Employer Brand, IHG - InterContinental Hotels Group

1330 - Leadership Workshop II

“Lead from the front? A Marine’s guide to effective leadership, no matter who you are” 

Rico Peña, CEO/Master Trainer, Peña Global

We all have the ability to lead and to inspire others to be their best, however, it may not always feel that way. Many times it seems some people are born to lead while other appear to just want to be in the background. Is leading from the front the right way the best way? In this training I will show you how different temperaments can be effective leaders in their own way, I will also provide you with a process I learned as a leader in the United States Marine CORPS on how to take the idea of a leader and turn it into action.

1445 - Executive Panel

- Kevin Kim, VP of Private Client Advisor, US Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management

- Son Pham, Director of University Relations Strategy, Cox Communications

- Grace Huang, Senior Vice President of Inventory Services, Manheim North America

- Tony Krueck, Vice President of Product Development and Management for Connected Home Solutions, Cox Communications

- Jerry M. Chang, Managing Director, Navigant Consulting, Inc. / Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC

1545 - Networking Social Hour

If you are interested in receiving the leadership workshop slides from Jennifer L. Smith and Rico Peña, please contact Douglas Simmons at douglas.simmons@cox.com.