Networking w/ HR Execs: What Diverse Candidates Need to Know in the Digital Age

March 23, 2011

Join Us for the Award-Winning OC/PRSA Diversity Committee's First Event of 2011!

• Learn what top companies look for in a PR practitioner.
• Learn how to position yourself as the best candidate for any job.
• Find out how you can use your diversity to an advantage in today's competitive job market.
• Enjoy light refreshments while networking with members of OC’s best diversity public relations resource.

Speaker - Our headliner is James E. Wright, PHR, Manager, Talent Acquisition Pipeline Development, NBCUniversal. James is an accomplished and passionate Diversity & Inclusion Leader with 15 years of experience. He develops, implements, and coordinates Diversity & Inclusion strategies through consistent corporate messages using various aspects of print and electronic media, community events, executive speaker opportunities, and company training videos for NBCUniversal, National Diversity Council, Health Net, Pepco Holdings, AOL, and Verizon.

James has extensive experience in managing successful Human Resources, Diversity, EEO, Training, and Recruiting programs and initiatives. Additionally, he prides himself on his expertise in building solid and productive relationships with business leaders, employees, and community stakeholders through the use of strong facilitation, refined professional presentation skills and consistent branding and messages.

Add to his credit proficiency in giving TV interviews, planning lobbying conventions and organizing successful political site visits for senior government officials (including two U.S. Presidents and one U.S. Senator). Learn more www.visualcv.com/jameswright.

Speaker - Dena Gellmann is the U.S. Recruitment Manager for Burson-Marsteller, where she assists with retention programs and employee relations. Dena is active with diversity and inclusion initiatives as she leads the "Sourcing Talent" subcommittee of Burson-Marsteller’s internal Diversity & Inclusion Council. Dena primarily recruits at the senior level for the Corporate, Brand Marketing, Healthcare and Public Affairs practices as well as for Proof, Burson-Marsteller’s sister digital/social media agency. Prior to joining Burson-Marsteller, Dena was the Director of Recruitment for GolinHarris’ Chicago and Texas markets. There, she was responsible for hiring all levels of employees for the Corporate Communications, Consumer, Healthcare and Technology practices. She has over 10 years of recruitment experience specializing in the public relations, advertising, promotions and marketing industries.


Speaker - Jeff Davis is a graduate of UCLA and has an extensive background in Human Resources and Recruiting. He has worked as a Human Resources Professional for several companies, including Los Angeles based accounting firm Singer Lewak which was named one of The Best Places to Work in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal during his tenure. Jeff has also served as a Corporate Recruiter for Aerotek, Inc., the largest privately held staffing firm in the United States and currently works as a Corporate Recruiter for Forever 21. In addition to his work experience, Jeff has two certifications in Human Resources: the Certification in Human Resources Management from UCLA Extension and the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification from Human Resources Certification Institute. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA), where he served as the Diversity Chairperson for the West Los Angeles District. Mr. Davis is also in the process of writing a book on the entitlement epidemic among younger employees in the workforce, titled The Pinocchio Problem.

Special Guest Moderator - Chris Meyer, Deputy Editor, The Orange County Register
Chris Meyer is a lifelong Orange County resident. He graduated from Mater Dei High School, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Cal State Long Beach and an MBA from UC Irvine. He has been covering the news in the county for 29 years. He manages Local News and Business coverage for Orange County Register Communications. He also teaches journalism at Saddleback College. Chris lives with his wife Susan, a teacher, in Lake Forest. They have two grown daughters: a graphic designer and children’s book author living in Laguna Beach, and a college senior in San Francisco. In his spare time, Chris enjoys almost anything in the outdoors and spending time with his family.

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Santa Ana Unified School District, Board Room
1601 E. Chestnut Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92701

COST WITH RESERVATIONS BY MARCH 18:
$15 member • $20 non-member • $7 student

Attend with a committee member and gain free admission!

RESERVATIONS:
Please register and prepay below using PayPal (credit card processing fee additional), or send an email to info@ocprsa.org and pay at the door (check or exact cash only).