Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Practical Approaches and Goal Setting

About the Topic

Implementing a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiative in an organization is challenging; where do you begin and how do you sustain efforts that have meaningful impact? Most organizations acknowledge the importance of DEI, but typically find limited success in implementing processes and strategies. In this session, you will learn about developing a direction and setting goals that will help your organization take meaningful steps forward.

About the Speaker

Oather Taylor is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) consultant and advisor based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Oather works with organizations to define goals, build their business case, and develop plans to drive change. Oather facilitates “Business Leader Equity Cohorts” in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. These cohorts are comprised of CEOs & Senior Executives from area businesses and institutions. The mission of the cohorts is to build the DEI acumen of regional leaders to support their work to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented talent. Oather is an instructor with Kirkwood Corporate Training, conducting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion workshops and seminars for their business clients. He is an adjunct instructor with the University of Dubuque and teaches the graduate-level course Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Measurements and Accountability. Oather developed the curriculum for this course.

Oather recently retired from Alliant Energy as their Director of Diversity & Inclusion. He was with Alliant Energy for 17 years, previously holding the roles of Director of Security, Facilities & Continuity of Operations and Director of Gas Engineering and Operations Support. Before joining Alliant Energy, he spent 14 years in the Oil, Petrochemical & Chemical industries in various engineering and management positions, living most of that time in New Orleans while spending significant time leading large projects in Louisiana, Texas, Iowa and in Trinidad & Tobago. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University.

Oather was born and raised in Freeport, IL. He and his wife have a son who recently graduated from the University of Iowa and a daughter attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison.