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2025 Strategic ERG Leadership Summit (Virtual)
September 25 at 8:00 am - September 26 at 5:00 pm PDT
Current & Past Sponsors
ERG Summit Info, Agenda & Speakers
Sponsorships
Innovation & Success Sharing Competition
Certificate Program
Research
The 2025 Strategic ERG Leadership Summit
The Center for Effective Organizations (CEO) at the USC Marshall School of Business, in partnership with Presenting Sponsor Ecolab Inc., invites you to participate in the in-person edition of the 2025 Strategic Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leadership Summit, taking place virtually, September 25-26, 2025.
Now in its 13th year, this data-driven learning event continues to be a premier gathering for ERG leaders and executive sponsors. Whether you’re attending in person or joining us virtually for the first time, the summit offers a dynamic platform for collaborative learning and innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, gain valuable strategic insights—and earn Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification (13 PDCs virtual).
Need help getting approval to attend?
Download our Convince Your Manager letter to make the case.
Why you should attend
Innovation & Success Sharing Competition
Develop Your ERG Strategy to Drive Business Growth, Innovation and High Performance
The Innovation and Success Sharing Competition serves as a dynamic platform for ERG leaders to develop strategies and collaborate on ideas that align their initiatives with broader organizational goals and business strategy. Companies or individuals wanting to be part of the Innovation and Success Sharing Competition start by visiting the StartupWind platform to begin their application. To support participants in shaping their submissions, we recorded one of the pre-event workshops we hosted. These sessions provided guidance on developing a strategy, refining ideas, and crafting compelling success or innovation stories. You can watch the recording, here. These submissions will then be presented and judged during the virtual component of the summit, allowing participants to showcase their achievements and compete.
Who Attends?
The Strategic ERG Leadership Summit includes leaders from organizations who have established Employee Resource Group (ERGs) or are just getting their programs started. Attendees include:
- ERG Leaders & Executive Sponsors
- HR executives or other leaders who run ERG programs or are considering adding ERGs
Meet the Researcher
Affiliated Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Theresa Welbourne’s work focuses on human capital and leadership strategies that drive growth, innovation and high performance. She is known for her work on employee energy and how energy, direction and confidence come together to stimulate and sustain high sense of urgency cultures and organizational growth.
Benefits of the Strategic ERG Leadership Summit
Data-driven learning offered by top business school and research center
Collaboration across organizations to advance the impact of ERGs
Networking across industries and organizations
Resources to help ERG leaders drive innovation and growth
Career development and recognition
“The ERG Leadership Summit Sponsorship enabled us to be able to bring the learning to multiple members of our ERGs through the in-person and virtual events. Multiplied the learning as all of our ERG members could work together on the competition and work with other organizations to learn from them too. A priority annual event for our team offered from USC Marshall Center for Effective Organizations.”
2022 ERG Summit Attendee
Become an ERG Leadership Summit Sponsor
When you sponsor the Strategic ERG Leadership Summit, you bring actionable insights and innovative strategies back to your organization, backed by the expertise and partnership of the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, and its Center for Effective Organizations, a top 20 business school and leader in ERG research since 2009.
By supporting ERG development and fostering collaboration, you strengthen your organization’s ability to attract and retain top talent, develop future leaders, enhance organizational agility, and drive business outcomes. Sponsorship demonstrates your commitment to empowering ERGs as strategic resources that contribute to measurable success and long-term growth.
2025 Summit Speakers
Nyah Avan
Opportunity & Inclusion Consultant, EN Operational Excellence & Sustainment
Bank of America
Lynn Casey
Fortune 500 Strategic Insight Specialist and Futurist
Shine Scout, Inc.
CJ Casuto
Senior Project Manager, Public Safety
Mission Critical Partners
Joshua Dantzler
Workplace Culture Strategist & Consultant
DICE Consulting
Dexter Davis
Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)
Ecolab
Janelle Davis
Opportunity & Inclusion Business Support Manager, Centralized Business & Operations
Bank of America
Bob Garcia
DEI Evangelist
Linda Kim
Opportunity & Inclusion Consultant, EN Operational Excellence & Sustainment
Bank of America
Micha Mims
DEIB Specialist
G.E.H.A.
Martin Nance
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer
Minnesota Vikings, NFL
Kat O'Donnell, MSW, LCSW
Director of Inclusion and Belonging
Inova Health
Kevin Ortiz
Opportunity & Inclusion Consultant, Global Markets, Global Research & Institute
Bank of America
Shundra Peek
Business Support Lead, Global Opportunity & Inclusion Organization
Bank of America
Danielle Plantz
ERG Program Manager
nVent
Ruth Rathblott
Bestselling Author, Consultant, and Leadership & Workplace Culture Expert
Joseph Santana
Chairman
The CDO PowerCircle
Jennifer Sparks Taylor
Director of Corporate Relations & Executive Education
Center for Effective Organizations
John Sweeney
Founder & Owner
Brave New Outpost
Yetta Toliver
Global Head of Connection and Belonging
Xerox
Estevan Torres
Opportunity & Inclusion Consultant, EN Operational Excellence & Sustainment
Bank of America
Nat Tos-Brightup
Graduate of the ERG Certificate Program
Melissa Walker
Global ERG Program Manager
Ecolab
Dr. Theresa Welbourne
Affiliated Senior Research Scientist
Center for Effective Organizations
Calandra Walker Jarrell
Head of Global Employee Networks, Women & Underrepresented Talent Strategy
Bank of America
Wanda Wallace
Managing Partner
Leadership Forum, LLC
Imelda Wicks
Assistant Vice President of Talent, Culture, and Engagement
University of Texas at Arlington
Event Info
Event Dates
Virtual: September 25-26, 2025
Individual Pricing
Virtual Price: $695
15% Discount for teams of 5 or more. Contact us for discount. Virtual registration ends September 19, 2025.
Need approval to attend? Click here to download a sample email to ask your manager.
Hosting Sponsors
The Center for Effective Organizations (CEO) is world-renowned for its breakthrough research and insights on organizational performance, effectiveness, and talent management. CEO has been at the forefront of research on ERGs, since 2009, including the business impact they have on complex and newer or smaller organizations.
A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life.
University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination
This program is open to all eligible individuals. The Center for Effective Organizations operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Vivian Jimenez. We request that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least 7 days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.