25 Diversity and Inclusion Tips by Deanna Vaughan, CLM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Why is diversity important, and how can we do a better job bringing diversity and inclusion to our lives and the workplace? Businesses must pursue diverse talent and achieve real inclusion if they want to be successful beyond today and into tomorrow. Beginning with a fundamental understanding of diversity and its many dimensions, participants will achieve greater comprehension of the types and layers of diversity beyond those as defined by the EEOC. Once the concept of diversity is explored, how do we go on to create real inclusion? How can we create policies and procedures that support our definition of success? What strategies can we employ, and where can we get help if we need it? 

Participants will:

• Define diversity and its many dimensions.
• Participants will be able to identify some of the top-level reasons diversity and inclusion are important to the success of businesses today.
• Identify pitfalls and barriers to diversity and inclusion. Participants will become familiar with biases we all have how to foster awareness of these unconscious beliefs and counteract them.
• Participants will be able to identify workplace and recruitment/retention considerations related to differences, including religion, age, disabilities, gender issues, sexuality, gender identification, military status, and more.

DeAnna Vaughan, CLM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP has been a legal professional for over 25 years and is currently the Manager, Office Operations for the Houston office of White & Case LLP.   In her role, DeAnna works with the Houston Office Executive Partner, the Americas Chief Operating Officer and the Americas Director of Office Operations to meet the needs of the Houston office.  Since joining White & Case, DeAnna has overseen the build-out of over 66,000 square feet of office space and has managed the growth of the Houston office over the past 5 years, having seen the office grow from 3 partners to an office of over 130 employees. DeAnna joined ALA in 1998 and was a member of the Orange County Chapter until moving to Houston in 2011.  DeAnna served on the Orange County Board and is a past president of the Houston Chapter.  She has also served on too many ALA committees/positions to list, including being the Chair of the 2016 Annual Conference Committee, a member of the Chapter Resource Team and is currently serving on the Association’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee while also serving on Houston’s Business Partner Relations Committee and their Retreat Committee. DeAnna is a Certified Legal Manager, Senior Professional in Human Resources and a SHRM-SCP.  She also completed the Legal Lean Sigma Institute Yellow Belt Certification and Adult Mental Health First Aid USA courses.  Most recently, DeAnna earned a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificate from the University of South Florida. DeAnna was awarded the 2016 Susan French Memorial Region 4 Volunteer of the Year Award, ALA’s 2020 Outstanding Association Volunteer Award and the Houston Chapter’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year award. Beyond her professional pursuits, DeAnna enjoys spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. 

**This Lunch & Learn is for Austin ALA members, their guests, and business partners assigned to sponsor this event*

Our business partner sponsors for this month's luncheon are:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83156813804?pwd=kPpgOtgUa6k62XjVKCHaBT8fdkrT1z.1

Meeting ID: 831 5681 3804
Passcode: 824915

Important Reminders About Parking:

Option 1:  Park in the Chase Tower Building Garage at 221 W. 6^th Street.  Be sure to either stamp your parking ticket or pick up a discount ticket at the meeting to receive the $10.00 discounted parking rate when you exit the garage.

Option 2:  If the Garage is full, the Headliners Club offers a discounted parking rate of $10.00 at the parking lot at 600 Guadalupe Street (Lot P3010 which is connected to the Extended Stay America Hotel).

Instructions for Using Discounted Rate

Enter lot from either Guadalupe Street or San Antonio Street

• Park in any unmarked space and immediately head over to the Pay Machine
• Enter license plate into Pay Machine
• Choose the rate named "Headliners 3Hr"
• Enter passcode: HC1955
• Pay $10.00 (Pay Machine accepts cash or credit cards)

Tickets

$40.00 Member Ticket

$50.00 Guest or assigned business partner

$0.00 Remote Lunch & Learn (for ALA members only)