DEI Leadership Exchange

Introducing the DEI Leadership Exchange

Launching in 2023, the virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Exchange program provides an exclusive space for top diversity leaders in the Greater Rochester community to share ideas, skills, and strategies to shape business practices and create meaningful differences in their organizations and community. This unique program creates a meaningful conversation about DEI in today's workforce among top leaders who can implement initiatives.

This program was created based off an impactful framework provided by Buffalo Niagara Partnership which has been successfully running a DEI Leadership Exchange program for the last four years and counting.

What the DEI Leadership Exchange offers:

Confidentiality

This exclusive program is operated with complete confidentiality.

Exceptional Value

This 10-month virtual DEI Leadership Exchange program is offered for only $1,000 is a fraction of the cost of other leadership development programs. This program also allows opportunities to connect in person at social gatherings to foster relationships with other fellow DEI Leadership Exchange program members.

Convenience

This program is designed to fit your busy schedule, meeting once a month, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in a virtual format. No travel needed, except for some quarterly in-person social gatherings to further relationships among your peers within the DEI Leadership Exchange program members.

Personalized Approach

Professional facilitation and industry exclusivity allow for confidential, sensitive discussions around challenges and initiatives in a safe space to openly discuss new ideas.

Meet our exclusive expert facilitator for Greater Rochester Chamber's DEI Leadership Exchange program

This program was created based off the framework provided by Buffalo Niagara Partnership and in collaboration with Sesha Yalamanchili, a proven successful facilitator who has been running a thriving, sold out, DEI Leadership Exchange program for four years in the Buffalo region.

Focused on driving results, Sesha leverages her extensive background in sales, marketing, operations, and innovation to influence organizations of every size and scope. From entrepreneurial startups to large corporations, Sesha’s vast real-world experience spans careers in consumer goods, technology, banking, healthcare, and insurance.

Sesha has an inherent ability to comprehend the many issues and challenges that face organizations in today’s world of constant change, disruption, and uncertainty. Passionate about empowering others with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to make an immediate impact, Sesha works with business professionals to sustain long-term results at their organizations.

A seasoned leadership consultant and trainer with nearly two decades of business experience, Sesha specializes in equipping leaders with the knowledge, tools, and resources to make an immediate impact in their organization. “Understanding real world challenges from the human perspective is key to helping professionals accelerate their growth as leaders,” she says.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DEI Leadership Exchange program?

This is a unique leader-to-leader program for executives responsible for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts in their organization.

The DEI Leadership Exchange brings a thoughtful mix of carefully selected professionals together from across our region to share ideas, challenges and successful approaches for moving DEI efforts ahead.

This program harnesses the collective power of our region’s top leaders from organizations of different sizes and in different sectors by bringing a broad range of perspectives on DEI to the table.

How will it benefit you?

The program offers the following advantages for leaders faced with the never-ending and sometimes overwhelming task of moving DEI efforts forward:

Collective knowledge and support – honest and confidential conversation and feedback with experienced peers from across the region
Sharing of best practices – a skilled facilitator leads each session to guide the group in how to be stronger, more dedicated, and resilient in their efforts
Culture building – tools and innovative ideas on creating and nurturing DEI efforts to be at the heart of an organization’s culture
Big picture thinking – working together with other area leaders helps amplify DEI results within the organization

What makes this program different?

The DEI Leadership Exchange Program is open Greater Rochester Chamber members only, and group sessions are professionally facilitated with complete confidentiality. This is an exclusive group where DEI professionals, from diverse industries and professional backgrounds, meet monthly to discuss ideas, challenges, successes, and opportunities.

Our experienced facilitator customizes the program to give our leaders in diversity and inclusion the tools they need to continue achieving their goals and objectives and overcome the unique challenges that they face.

How is the program structured?

What are the dates/times for the 2023 DEI Leadership Exchange program?

Participants will virtually meet monthly from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the following dates:

The zoom link will be added to each participant's calendar.

Who should join the DEI Leadership Exchange program?

Participants must be DEI decision-makers at an organization in the Greater Rochester nine county region. This program is ideal for leaders whose title specifically reflects diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as those who work in fields such as Human Resources or talent management and who are responsible for DEI initiatives.

The program is closed to DEI consultants and trainers and other observers.

What is the program cost?

What if I am not a Greater Rochester Chamber member?

Meet the 2023 DEI Leadership Exchange Cohort

We are SOLD out for 2023! Reserve your spot for the 2024 DEI Leadership Exchange program!

Contact Director of Events, Training & Affiliates Susan George to learn more or reserve your spot.

Email Susan