Ana Ferreira, Esq., Ferreira Law focuses on immigration Keith served for two years as the Director of Consulting Services at the Wharton Small Business Development Center, providing technical assistance to high-growth businesses. Under his leadership, the Center coached more than 1,200 individuals and small businesses resulting in over $50 million in debt and equity financing. Keith teaches management communication at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and facilitates a ten-month leadership development course for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Development Institute in Harrisburg, PA. His corporate background includes positions at IBM, Proctor & Gamble and Manor Care, Inc. Keith earned an MBA from the Wharton School and a B.S. in electrical engineering and mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University. Greg DeShields currently serves as the Executive Director at PHLDiversity a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Also host of PHL Diversity Podcasts brief insights, views and opinions from tourism and hospitality leaders, meeting/convention professionals and academics regarding specific hospitality, tourism and diversity topics. Nicole Pumphrey (Nikki) has dedicated her career to fostering cultural understanding and promoting inclusion through education and workforce development. She joined the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians as Director of Strategic Partnerships in 2014 and currently serves as the Deputy Director, where she leads the organization’s external engagement strategy, building collaborations and advocating for the valuable contributions of immigrants to the region’s social stability and economic prosperity. Nicole earned her B.A. in French and Korean Studies and an M.S.Ed. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania. Her own experience studying abroad motivated her to spend ten years developing international programs to educate the next generation of leaders. Prior to joining the Welcoming Center, Nicole supported global initiatives at Temple University’s Fox School of Business and at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as the President of the Pennsylvania Council for International Education, advocating for global competence in policy and practice throughout the Commonwealth and in 2016 she received the Rising Star Award from Drexel University’s Institute for Strategic Leadership. Nicole is a lifelong Philadelphian, who has lived in France and Korea, but sees her deep roots in the region as a valuable asset, motivating her to invest in making her hometown a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, both newcomers and long-time residents. Meet the Moderator:
Thursday Oct 18, 2018
8:00 AM Registration & Breakfast
Parx Casino & Racing Members $30 before October 12, 20182018 Philadelphia: Working Together
presented by:
Our program will provide a panel presentation comprised of experts in various industries, offering advice on how business owners can implement inclusion programs as part of their mission.
Meet Our Panel of Experts:
Keith Ellison, Program Director, The Urban League of Philadelphia
Keith Ellison serves as the Program Director of the Urban League of Philadelphia Entrepreneurship Center. Since launching the Center in 2008, his team of consultants and specialists has guided over 2,500 individuals in southeastern Pennsylvania in starting and running their own businesses. Keith also runs the Ellison Group, Inc., an executive coaching and management consulting firm, with an emphasis on improving managerial and communication skills of leaders in large organizations. Prior to launching The Ellison Group,
Greg DeShields, Executive Director, DiversityPHL
Greg is a Graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, with an A.S. Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management; and B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management.
Professional Development Leadership Graduate: Urban League of Philadelphia, Leadership Forum, Leadership Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange.
His professional certifications include: American Hotel & Lodging Association, Educational Institute – Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) and Asian American Hotel Owners Association – Certified Hotel Owner CHO)
Previously, Greg served as Managing Director of Business Development and adjunct instructor for Temple University Fox School of Business & School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Industry Expert for Ying Mei Jia Tong International Business Consulting Co., Ltd. (Liaocheng and Tai'an, China) and faculty for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and Hospitality Educators. Professionally, Greg has been a manager in the hospitality industry for such companies as Hyatt Hotel, Omni Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, Korman Company, General Manager of Philadelphia OIC’s Opportunities Inn: Hospitality Training Institute
Greg’s Board memberships include: African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE, Asian-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, Boy Scouts of American Cradle of Liberty, Center City District, Center City Proprietors Association, COMHAR Inc., Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Independence Business Alliance (LGBT Chamber of Commerce) Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, Philadelphia OIC, Responsible Hospitality Institute, and SKAL Philadelphia
Greg is an active member of The American Hotel & Lodging Association, National Association of Black Hotel Owners Operators and Developers, Asian American Hotel Owners Association and Society of Human Resources Managers
HONORS & AWARDS:
2018/17/16/15/14 - Philadelphia Tribune “Most Influential African American Leaders”
2016 - Delaware Valley Legacy Fund “Hero Award”
2016/15 - Black Meetings &Tourism Magazine “Most Influential African-American Leaders
Meetings/Tourism Industry”
2015 - Anointed News Journal “Circle of Winners Award”
2015 - Meeting Focus “Meeting Trendsetters”
2013 - Philadelphia Business Journal “Minority Business Leader Award”
2013 - Temple University Fox School of Business “Administrative Service Award”
2012 - Temple University School of Tourism and Hospitality Management “Administrative Service Award”
2009 - Black Meetings &Tourism Magazine “Apex Award”
Nicole Pumphrey, Deputy Director, The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Zach Wilcha, President, Independent Business Alliance/Greater LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Zach Wilcha is the first-ever Executive Director of the Independence Business Alliance, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Under his leadership, the IBA has experienced growth in membership, an increase in Board and member diversity, and innovative, new programming, including the Intersections initiative, TransWork, and a Young Professional network. His career experience includes tenures in the legal, advocacy, and fundraising industries after working in a large Philadelphia Law Firm, clerking for Philadelphia's Court of Common Pleas, and building a Fundraising and Development department for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. Wilcha has been a speaker on a number of issues including: LGBT Affairs, fundraising and development, relationship building, program development, and diversity and inclusion. In addition to working on the Legal Voter Protection team for Obama in 2008 and 2012, he has worked developed relationships with and for a diverse array of Philadelphia community organizations, foundations, faith groups, young professionals, and schools. He sits on the Board for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s Young Professionals. Wilcha graduated with a B.A. in International Relations from Saint Joseph’s University and a Juris Doctor from Villanova Law School. He is a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania and currently resides in the Spring Arts District of Philadelphia.
Ron Davis, Director of Diversity and Community Development at PARX Casino
Ronald W. Davis has experienced a stellar career as a senior executive in several important marketing, administrative and financial positions. Mr. Davis has also distinguished himself as a former professional athlete in the National Football League.
Davis was born in Camden New Jersey and attended Deptford Township High School. Davis received a football scholarship from Virginia State University. Davis received his undergraduate and Master’s Degrees from Virginia State University. He was selected All -CIAA and All-American Football Player in 1972 and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. Mr. Davis played professionally with several teams including the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons.
Davis has had a great career off of the football field. Mr. Davis’ business career is highlighted as a Banker-Branch Manager and Bank Officer with United Virginia Bank (now Sun Trust Bank) in Richmond Virginia. Mr. Davis’ hospitality career started with the Metropolitan Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau as a top Executive. Mr. Davis received special recognition in 1992 from Richmond City Council for generating millions of tourism dollars for Richmond area. He distinguished himself in several CVB positions including: President and CEO of the Oakland California Convention and Visitors Bureau and Authority and President of the Western Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. His appointment to the Oakland position made him only the second African American in the country appointed to a Convention and Visitors Bureau position of this rank. His other executive positions include: Senior Vice President of the San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Executive Director of the San Francisco Taxi Cab Commission. His most recent appointment was as Senior Vice President of Sales Marketing and Customer Satisfaction of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.
Mr. Davis has received many honors in his distinguished career. He was selected in 1996 as a delegate to the White House Conference in Tourism and received the Imperial Potentates Humanitarian Award, by the Prince Hall Shriners Worldwide. Mr. Davis was inducted into the Virginia State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Central Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2009. Mr. Davis has been featured in many publications including the Richmond Times Dispatch, the San Francisco Business Times Dispatch, the San Francisco Business times and the Philadelphia Tribune. Mr. Davis is affiliated with numerous business hospitality and community groups and serves on several Boards of Directors. Mr. Davis is an elected member of the Board of Directors of the National Football League Former Players Association. The Association governs the activities and benefits for over 6,000 former players. Mr. Davis is a Trustee of Mother Bethel AME Church and is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity .Currently Mr. Davis is Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Community Development of Parx Casino and Racing. The Casino generates 6 billion dollars in activity per year.
Date and Time
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT
8:45 AM Welcome
9:15 AM Program
10:00 AM Breakfast ConcludesLocation
2999 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
Fees/Admission
Members $40 after October 12, 2018
NonMembers $50
No Refunds
(please note 2 event limit for non members)