about program

When: Wednesday, April 3; 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Edelman; 111 N. Canal Street, Suite 1100 (Directions)
Pre-registration: Please register by Wednesday, April 3 at Noon CT due to Edelman's building security requirements, thank you kindly.

It’s been four years since companies made commitments and donated millions to support calls for the removal of historic systemic injustices against marginalized communities. Today, commitments are being threatened and abandoned. Plus, the budgets are no longer being allocated to support such causes. Unfortunately, the industry DEI as we’ve known it is under attack. Companies are even more risk-averse. Internal DEI professionals are exhausted and losing support. And the fight to revert to the way things were is even more prominent.

Join us as we chat with communications professionals about what’s next and some best practices to help continue to enforce the need for DEI counsel for clients. Light bites and refreshments will be served courtesy of our event sponsor, Edelman.

SPEAKERS

Terri Dickinson-Creasey, Esq. JD
Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | College of American Pathologists
Witnessing the impact of racism and injustice firsthand in her southern hometown ignited Dickinson-Creasey’s lifelong commitment to equity and justice, propelling her to pursue a legal career. As an attorney, she has practiced in both the private and public sectors as an advocate for social justice.

Dickinson-Creasey is a staunch well-being advocate, particularly for those in marginalized communities. She has extensive experience overseeing employer driven well-being programs. She has a particular niche for emerging markets where her passion for cultural exploration delves beyond the surface, crafting inclusive culturally informed programs. Dickinson-Creasey currently serves as the inaugural DE&I Director for the College of American Pathologists where she leads their strategic diversity initiatives and supports the member diversity committee. She has facilitated numerous panels and led discussions on critical equity in the workplace and beyond. Dickinson-Creasey has managed employee programs for organizations such as The Coca Cola Company, City of Houston, Tiffany & Co., The National Basketball Association, Danaher Corporation, and Sidley Austin.

Dickinson-Creasey is admitted to the Illinois Bar and holds a Juris Doctor with certification in Public Interest Law from Chicago Kent College of Law. She holds a BA in Communications from Northern Illinois University and DEI certification from Northwestern University. She is also trained in intercultural competence as a Qualified Intercultural Development Inventory Administrator. 

Dickinson-Creasey is a proud and longstanding member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the nation’s oldest Black sorority, through which she supports their international service initiatives.

Jasmine (Smith) Farley
Vice President, Brand Health | Edelman

Jasmine Smith is a Vice President on the Health team supporting companies across the health and wellness landscape achieve measurable communications results. She has over a decade of experience supporting internal and external initiatives across industries but has spent the latter part of her career focusing on her passion– raising awareness of health conditions, disparities and treatment options for the communities most affected.

Currently, Smith is focused on developing communications and marketing campaigns for companies at the center of health and culture. Previously, Smith supported Pharma and Biotech companies with approved or pipeline products in various specialties, including immunology, rheumatology, cardiology, ophthalmology, endocrinology. 

Previously, her work for Federal health programs led her down a path of educating communities on resources available to improve health outcomes. 

Prior to joining Edelman, Smith was an Account Director at GCI Health supporting unbranded and advocacy campaigns for ViiV Healthcare. Outside of work, she enjoys working out and spending time with family and friends.

Joseph Tateoka
Vice President, Global Head of People Development and Experience | Cision
Joseph Tateoka is Vice President, Global Head of People Development & Experience at Cision. In his role, he is responsible for leadership development, learning solutions and training, workplace experience, DEI strategy and programming, change management, and internal people communications at Cision.

Prior to joining Cision, Tateoka was a Senior Vice President of Learning & Development at Edelman. During his 11 years with Edelman, Tateoka started as a client lead on the B2B Corporate Technology team and made a shift to the People (HR) team, first in talent acquisition and then as a People Partner before joining the Learning & Development Team. Additionally, for three years, he served as the Edelman Chicago office Citizenship Network Lead and was responsible for the offices’ pro bono strategy, partner selection and program execution, volunteerism projects, and sustainability initiatives. In 2023, Tateoka was named the global co-chair for Edelman’s new Employee Network Group focused on Disability, Chronic Illness and Neurodivergence.

Tateoka served two terms as a Board of Director for Chicago’s Public Relations Society of America chapter. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at DePaul University’s College of Communications (since January 2016) and served as member of the College’s Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC) from 2019 – 2022 where he co-founded the DAC’s Young Advisory Board. He also served as the professional advisor for DePaul University’s PRSSA chapter from 2010 – 2016. 

Tateoka is an advocate for the Little People of America (LPA) and joined the organization when his eldest son was diagnosed with dwarfism in 2015 (at age 3). He is currently serving on the National Board of Directors as the Central Regional Representative supporting and representing members in 13 states from Louisiana to North Dakota and Texas to Wisconsin.

MODERATOR

Rebecca Roussell, M.S.
Senior Vice President, DEI Communications | Current Global

Rebecca Roussell, M.S., is the SVP of DEI Communications at Current Global. She is a hybrid marketer, culture storyteller and strategist. She has more than 15 years of experience in marketing communications. She has a passion for diversity equity and inclusion, and has launched integrated campaigns, created inclusive work cultures and been a thought leader for DEI throughout her career. ​

While at Current, she led counsel for Abbott’s Diversity in Clinical Trials initiative launched last year. And amplified FedEx and its longstanding commitment to HBCUs by creating the FedEx HBCU-Student Ambassador program. She also leads the DEI counsel for clients across the agency’s portfolio including Bloomberg Associates and Kingsford. Plus, Accessible by Design, the agency’s commitment to making all communications accessible for people with disabilities.​

Prior to joining Current, Roussell served as Deputy Director of Diversity and Inclusion and was the acting Deputy Director for the Business Enterprise Program, with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). ​She was responsible for building equity-based inclusion strategies that enriched the diversity of Illinois’ workforce, open access to state employment and help secure resources for Illinois’ small businesses.

Roussell represents Current Global as a co-lead for the PR Council’s DE&I Community and is a member of the Black Public Relation Society of America. The Diversity Action Alliance recently recognized her as a “Distinguished Communicator of Color.”  Rebecca is recognized as one of Diversity MBA Magazine’s Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leaders, The Chicago Defender’s ‘Women of Excellence’ coveted list and Dillard University’s Top 40 Under 40 Alumni. She obtained a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University in Chicago and her bachelor’s degree, Cum Laude, in Mass Communications from Dillard University, in her hometown of New Orleans.​ She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Questions? Please send us an email at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

Program Details

Refunds:
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