PRESENTATIONS

Join us to delve into the rich tapestry of religious diversity in Des Moines, recognizing its significance in shaping individual identities and cultural landscapes. Utilizing the Intercultural Development Continuum, we'll investigate why many individuals tend to minimize religious differences and explore avenues to deepen our understanding of these diversities, valuing them without prejudice. Our exploration will primarily focus on the six largest religions globally—Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism—examining how these traditions manifest within local religious communities, offering vivid examples of lived experiences.

Embark on a journey of understanding and inclusivity as we focus on LGBTQ+ terminology and best practices. In this session, we extend an empathetic hand to those eager to improve but unsure of where to begin. We will foster knowledge, comfort, and literacy in LGBTQ+ terms and best practices. We'll dedicate time to exploring the data that underscores the significance of continuously enhancing our inclusion efforts. Participants will be equipped with practical strategies and tools applicable to individuals of all ages. You will be empowered to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and have ongoing resources for continued learning and support. Let's unite in uplifting and celebrating diversity and creating a more inclusive and affirming environment for everyone.

The skill of effectively coaching employees is essential to a leader’s ability to help people develop to their fullest potential and motivate them to contribute at their highest level. Great coaches cultivate mindfulness and understand the importance of meeting the individual where they are when in a coaching relationship. This means being aware of individual nuances including personality styles, personal perspectives, intentions and career/personal goals and expectations.

This practical, interactive workshop is designed to give leaders hands-on experience using coaching techniques in their work. Leaders will learn and practice how to get into the coaching mindset and will be introduced to a toolkit of techniques for building a strong coaching relationship and engaging in effective dialogue. Leaders will understand the foundation of effective coaching and why they matter, as well as learn to master coaching conversations using a five-step coaching model.

In Building Your Leadership Coaching Skills, leaders will use a Team Coaching Assessment Grid to assess the strengths and opportunities of their team and determine what coaching conversations should be taking place with each team member.

Most of us want to avoid having difficult conversations at all costs and usually it’s based on a misconception that all conflict is bad. In reality, difficult conversations and conflict can push teams to be more innovative and take relationships to a new level of openness, honesty and understanding. Most of us don’t consciously manage difficult situations. Rather, when having to engage in a hard discussion with someone, we are used to it getting emotionally charged and people jumping to defend themselves, resulting in an argument. This is a normal human reaction called “the fight or flight” syndrome. But there is a better way!

The key to handling these difficult conversations is to slow down, assess the situation from a non-judgmental point of view and decide what approach to take given the situation. This type of conscious behavior can be learned and is our focus today. If handled appropriately, working through difficult conversations can create strong bonds between team members and pave the way for improved communication. However, if handled inappropriately, these tough conversations can quickly destroy workplace relationships and cause team members to become disgruntled and dissatisfied with their jobs. In this workshop, participants will explore “elephants” in the room and benefits to addressing these sensitive topics before they grow out of control. They will identify symptoms and sources of the issue, including exploring their natural approach to handling difficult conversations to determine if there is a better way.

Change is inevitable and necessary for growth. Regardless of this, many times change can be very emotional and even painful for teams and individuals. All organizations undergo change. Whether it’s a pandemic, merger, acquisition, downsizing, restructuring, or even simply new leadership, change happens. And yet when change happens, it can throw a team into chaos.

Change can significantly impact people on an emotional level and can wreak havoc on productivity. It’s important that your leaders understand the natural cycle of change and have proven tools to help employees build a resiliency mindset and bounce forward after a transformational change. With this understanding, your teams will be more prepared to handle the constant change they are faced with and choose beliefs, thoughts and emotions that serve them more effectively. In this interactive workshop, leaders will learn about what is required to lead successfully. Leaders will learn how to recognize and navigate the emotional shifts that happen during change and how to focus on well-being.

In Being Resilient in the Midst of Change, Growth and Uncertainty, leaders will walk away feeling more confident and equipped to handle the Senior leaders will learn how to recognize and navigate the emotional shifts that happen during change and how to focus on well-being. In Being Resilient in the Midst of Change, Growth and Uncertainty, senior leaders will walk away feeling more confident and equipped to handle the daily hiccups and challenges that come their way.

This session tackles unconscious bias head-on, not with shame, but with strategy. Jazlin takes participants on a journey from awareness to action, weaving in real-world scenarios, interactive reflection, and vulnerability to unpack how bias shows up in policies, behaviors, and environments. Using her framework of “reduction of harm vs. avoidance of harm,” participants walk away not just with new language, but new practices that make inclusion real. Perfect for teams ready to go deeper than surface-level DEI.

This session guides participants through a highly interactive community conversation that prioritizes vulnerability, storytelling, and cross-generational learning. Rather than a lecture, this experience invites participants to engage in small-group dialogue with intentional prompts rooted in identity, values, and lived experience. Drawing from a Black feminist pedagogy and critical race frameworks, Jazlin facilitates space where attendees build trust, unpack shared challenges, and practice listening with empathy. This session works best for groups looking to build team cohesion, reset organizational culture, or simply reconnect on a human level.