By Lacie Blankenship
In mid-November, Vanderbilt Business hosted the annual Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Symposium, uniting students, alumni, faculty, staff, and prospective students. The event creates space for engaging and meaningful discussions, focusing on fostering inclusivity and driving change.
“The EDI Symposium is more than just a day of conversation—it’s an event that unites people, offering them a chance to be heard, to grow, and to reconnect with the power of storytelling,” said Amanda Fend, Director of MBA Recruiting. “By creating a space for diverse voices from our community, we’re fostering the kind of understanding and inclusivity that strengthens not only Vanderbilt but also the organizations and communities our students go on to lead.”
Welcome & Keynote
Britt Hunter (MBA’20) delivered the keynote address at the 2024 EDI Symposium
The EDI Symposium started with a welcoming check-in, where attendees could connect over coffee and snacks. Sylvia Boyd, Program Manager of MBA Recruiting and Admissions, and Jalen Brown, Assistant Director and Lead Diversity Recruiter of MBA Recruiting and Admissions, officially welcomed everyone, set expectations for the day, and introduced the keynote speaker, Brittany (Britt) Hunter (MBA’20).
Igniting Creativity: Innovating Together in Teams
Britt Hunter, a former D1 athlete, coach, educator, and current business leader at Microsoft, delivered an inspiring keynote address, Igniting Creativity: Innovating Together in Teams. Drawing on her time in education, Hunter shared three key lessons that have shaped her leadership style and approach to building inclusive and high-performing teams.
Lesson 1: Treat every room as a clean slate
Hunter emphasized the importance of entering every new situation with an open mind. She told a touching story about a student who challenged her to problem-solve and navigate new waters. This student taught her something she’ll take with her in every room she enters–the value of knowing when you don’t have all the answers.
Lesson 2: Encourage diverse perspectives
For her second lesson, Hunter stressed the power and importance of diverse viewpoints in driving innovation. She shared a story about when her students offered a solution to a problem that she would not have otherwise considered. Hunter shared that there is power in recognizing that sometimes “your idea is not always the best idea.”
Lesson 3: Foster open communication
Hunter’s final lesson focused on the importance of open and vulnerable communication. She shared another touching story about a student who opened up and demonstrated true grit during a dark time. “To be exceptional, you must be the exception,” she noted, urging everyone to show up as their true selves, especially in moments of challenge.
Interactive Breakout Sessions
Attendees had the opportunity to tailor their experience by choosing breakout sessions that aligned with their interests.
Exploring EDI
Professor Triana discussed intersectionality and hair bias in a Breakout Session
EDI 101
Led by Makaila Knight-Allder, Assistant Director of Student Life – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the EDI 101 session was offered twice throughout the day. This session served as a “crash course in EDI.” It provided foundational skills and tools needed for attendees to engage in discourse about honoring identities, navigating conflict, and creating welcoming environments. Attendees were encouraged to be vulnerable and ask all kinds of questions.
Intersectionality and Hair Bias/CROWN Act
María del Carmen Triana, Cal Turner Chair and Professor of Management, held a session exploring the intersection of race and gender, specifically the notion that women of color face potential bias based on both sex and race. The session focused on hair bias and the importance of the CROWN Act in fostering workplace equity.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Tim Vogus, Brownlee O. Currey, Jr., Professor of Management and Deputy Director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, discussed the importance of recognizing and understanding neurodiversity. Vogus shared strategies for embracing neurodiversity and emphasized organizational roles in fostering innovation and equity in the workplace.
Student and Alumni Perspectives
Mental Health
James Edward Murray (MBA’17), founder of Therify, a personalized, in-network mental health platform, held a session titled “Breaking the Silence: Creating a Culture of Wellbeing in the Workplace.” Murray guided the conversations by offering insights on prioritizing mental health and wellbeing at work and discussing the evolution of workplace culture and responsibility for wellbeing.
LGBTQIA+
A panel of LGBTQIA+ students and Jess Abbattista (MBA’22), Director of Affinity Networks at Vanderbilt University, shared their stories, experiences, and insights to foster understanding and promote dialogue and connection among the session’s attendees. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and participate in the dialogue.
James Edward Murray (MBA’17) discussed wellbeing in the workplace in a Breakout Session and participated in the Alumni Panel
Veterans
Military veterans from diverse backgrounds came together to share their unique experiences and insights on EDI in the military and beyond. The session aimed to highlight the intersection of military service and social equity, focusing on how the values of honor, respect, and camaraderie can enhance EDI initiatives in various sectors.
Alumni Panel
The last session of the day was an alumni panel, EDI at Owen and Beyond: Alumni Perspectives. The speakers were Britt Hunter, James Edward Murray, and Emma Dodi (MBA’23), Senior Associate Brand Manager at Church & Dwight Co., Inc. The panelists reflected on their time at Vanderbilt Business and how their experiences with EDI shaped their post-MBA careers. The stories highlighted the importance of carrying EDI principles into professional environments to create lasting impact.
Closing Reception
The 2024 Vanderbilt Business EDI Symposium concluded with a reception during which attendees could socialize, reflect on the day’s sessions, and connect with others.
