Program Details
Empowering Inclusion Solutions Through Effective Change Management Strategies
Key Objectives
1. Understand the principles and methodologies of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and the ADKAR model within the context of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. Explore how AI fosters positive change by leveraging strengths and opportunities, and how the ADKAR model provides a structured approach to individual change, including awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement. 2. Develop the skills to identify barriers and resistance to implementing DEIB initiatives through the lens of AI and ADKAR, and learn techniques for overcoming resistance and fostering buy-in among stakeholders at all levels by aligning individual change processes with organizational goals and values. 3. Attain proficiency in analyzing organizational culture and structures using AI and ADKAR frameworks to identify opportunities for integrating DEIB efforts effectively. Learn how to develop tailored solutions that leverage the strengths of both methodologies, ensuring alignment with the organization's values, goals, and strategic objectives, thus facilitating sustainable change and promoting a culture of inclusion.
Participants will explore the fusion of DEIB with the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and the ADKAR change management methodologies. They will discover how AI leverages strengths & opportunities, while ADKAR guides individual change. The session will address how to overcome resistance & align change processes with organizational goals. Participants will learn how to gain proficiency in analyzing culture using AI and ADKAR, craft tailored solutions for sustainable DEIB integration, & become equipped to foster inclusive cultures & drive transformative change.
![](https://conference.arshrm.com/images/speakers/Rachel-Jessen-050224190317_.jpg)
Rachel Jessen
Employee Experience Specialist at Walton Arts Center & Walmart AMP
Rachel Jessen is strategic HR leader with over 15 years of diverse experience in Human Resource and Workforce Development. Rachel’s education foundation started out with a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and ESL from John Brown University in Siloam Springs and she spent her early career years teaching in these fields in Rogers, Arkansas. In addition to raising her 4 children, she then spent nearly 5 years living and working in non-profit cross-cultural engagement initiatives in Turkey before moving back to the U.S. This experience allowed her to cultivate a wealth of experience and knowledge in global HRD as she learned more about how other people process and interpret the world and interact with others. She spent 6 years working as a Community Business Development Manager with Barnes & Noble before spending time working in adult education at the Northwest Arkansas Community College. After graduating with her master’s degree in Human Resource and Workforce Development from the University of Arkansas, she gained her SHRM-CP and aPHR certifications. She had the privilege of helping found and launch the University of Arkansas’ HRD program’s now annual HRD Summit, a student-led virtual and in-person conference designed to foster collaborative learning experiences through valuable education from leading HRD professionals. She now specializes in talent development, change management, and organizational growth. Her focus is on designing and implementing effective employee engagement strategies and driving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. She currently serves as an Employee Experience Specialist at the Walton Arts Center & Arkansas Music Pavilion in Northwest Arkansas. In this role and as NOARK’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee Chair, she develops training and professional development programs for diverse and cross-functional workforces and spearheads DEIB initiatives, fostering cultural transformation and a more inclusive workplace. She brings expertise in conducting needs assessments, delivering leadership training, and offering expert HR guidance to support holistic business success. This past year she has enjoyed building NOARK’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee and writing a monthly blog post highlighting a diverse array of DEIB topics and spotlighting Northwest Arkansas HR professionals and organizations working to foster inclusion and belonging. Some of her work has included highlighting Arvest Bank’s Associate Impact Groups, investigating the effects of classism and socioeconomic disparities, spotlighting the nuances of lookism in the workplace, and sharing strategies and resources for how HR professionals can support employees who belong to protected classes. She helps identify unique challenges and the vast array of nuances that exist in today’s complex and diverse workplace. Rachel’s greatest desire is to empower individuals and organizations aiming to develop, whether in training and learning initiatives, organizational effectiveness, change management, or DEIB initiatives.
Please Note: Speakers and topics are subject to change without notice.