Change Takes Courage!
12-12:45 p.m.

Alice Shirey is a teaching pastor from Waterloo. She has a passion for people, faith, and justice work. Shirey loves reminding people about the existence of grace and encouraging the spreading of love.

She recently resigned from her church position after more than 20  years over her decision to officiate a same-sex marriage. This experience has created in Shirey a new level of compassion for those who are traumatized or rejected by their church community. She has found a new level of commitment to fight for justice for all people, especially those on the margins and most vulnerable to trauma and rejection.

Shirey blogs at Alice at Dawn, where she ‘ponders life’s thought-provoking questions.’ She lives and works for the good of her community alongside Chuck, her husband of 30-plus years.

Inclusion is Everywhere
1-1:45 p.m.

Jennifer Wolff has been an advocate for disability rights and justice for 14 years, which is where she gained interest in running for office. She is newly elected to the Waverly City Council and works as a crisis advocate at Friends of the Family.

Wolff  is a graduate of both Waverly-Shell Rock High School and Wartburg College. She also earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from St. Catherine University. Wolff is on the Eastern Central Region Mental Health/Disability Services Advisory Board and the Outreach Committee of the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium.

How Far Have We Come Since 2018 and How Do We Amplify?
2-2:45 p.m.

Joy Briscoe is an intelligence U.S. Air Force veteran and consummate diversity, equity, and inclusion professional with more than 15 years of experience in developing culturally inclusive programming. She is a managing partner with Top RANK Talent Solutions, a professional search, development, and consulting firm.

Briscoe also serves as the executive Director for ONE Cedar Valley, a consortium of businesses, educational institutions, philanthropic leaders, and service providers dedicated to removing barriers to meaningful employment and family-sustaining incomes. She is a founder of the 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium and also served as the inaugural executive director. Briscoe is the co-founder and serves on the executive board of the 1619 Freedom School, a literacy center providing culturally affirming curriculum.

Unity in Diversity: A Journey Toward LGBTQ+ Inclusion
3-3:45 p.m.

Gina Weekley is a certified diversity professional with more than 15 years of experience increasing the capacity of organizations and programs to develop and deliver high-quality learning opportunities.

Weekley is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Weekley Connection Consulting and the director of equity, inclusion,  and belonging for Waterloo Community Schools. She has served on several community boards and committees and provided ongoing support for several nonprofits throughout Iowa. She has facilitated professional workshops, coached educators, youth workers, college volunteers/interns, and community members to create and implement researched-based intentional programs for young people and their families.

Weekley earned a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership and development and a bachelor’s in liberal studies from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a doctoral student at Baylor University. Weekley resides in the Cedar Valley with her wife and their family.