General Electric’s first black female executive will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Diversify summit on June 19th at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Deborah Elam, a former chief diversity officer at General Electric who now heads her own consulting and coaching firm known as Corporate Playbook, will be the luncheon speaker during the half-day program on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
“There are two areas in which any professional can help advance diversity and inclusion. Being knowledgeable, having intellectual curiosity about the subject and having courageous conversations,” Elam says. “The ability to ask about and share stories of life experience with those who are different from you goes a long way towards deeper understanding and appreciation of a co-worker’s life journey.”
Elam began her 30-year career at General Electric as an intern, working her way up to president of the GE Foundation. As GE’s first black female corporate officer, she has dedicated her career to diversity, philanthropy and inclusion.
In addition to Elam’s keynote speech, Diversify will offer three breakout sessions led by industry professionals.