Communicating With Executives, Supervisors, and Managers: Selling Your Ideas up the Chain of Command
1:45-2:45 PM ET/10:45-11:45 AM PT – Breakout Session Round 2
Since none of us are the head honcho in charge of our entire organization, we all must advocate our ideas to someone above us in the org chart. And that can be incredibly difficult and intimidating. In this breakout session, our expert will share how to sell your ideas up the chain of command.
Key Takeaway: From this session, you will know how to better communicate and pitch your ideas to executives and senior staff.
Relevant Competencies: Leading People
Speakers:
Chief DEIA Officer at NASA. Senior executive and change agent offering more than 20 years of seasoned leadership for govt agencies in diverse industries. Selected as a member of the 2018 Top Women in Tech by FedScoop.
Extensive experience overseeing all functional aspects of daily operations for multimillion-dollar organizations, with specialized experience in Change Management and Human Capital Management. Responsibilities include Operations Strategy, Budget Management, HR/Diversity & Inclusion, Communications Management, Facilities Management, Inventory Management, Training and Development, Program Management, Process Improvements, and Compliance.
Budget Management: Proven track record of success overseeing budget planning, formulation, and justification. Manage a $19 Million budget as Chief of Staff / Director of Operations for the United States Digital Service at the White House.
Process Improvements: Demonstrated ability to lead and implement process improvements that improve efficiency and reduce costs. Managed stakeholders who sparked creation of a Digital Sub-Committee that led a digital transformation within the IRS and helped the organization move taxpayer interactions from in-person meetings and phone calls to online transactions.
Employee Management: Extensive experience providing leadership to teams of 200+ staff and implementing new HR strategies that improve overall employee retention, engagement, and performance.
Colonel (Air Force retired) Victoria Bowens is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion Outreach and Strategic Engagement under the Office of Force Resiliency for the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Victoria has over 30 years of experience in the Human Resources domain, spanning a myriad of human resources and manpower management programs in the areas of strategic planning, training and development, and program and project management for joint military and civilian personnel programs. Ms. Bowens is an accomplished diversity and inclusion renowned Thought Leader with over 12 years of advising senior leaders, academia, and industry partners on diversity matters affecting DoD. She published the DoD’s first Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan in 2012 and the Department of Navy’s Diversity Roadmap in 2017.
Previously, Ms. Bowens served as the Associate Director, Diversity and Inclusion Directorate for the Diversity Management Operations Center, Defense Human Resources Center, responsible for providing strategic and operational direction and support to the military services and Department of Defense (DoD) Components on a number of initiatives to attract, develop, and retain a diverse workforce with the unique skills affecting 1.4 million active duty military personnel, 1.3 million Guard and Reserve personnel, and 950,000 DoD civilians. She also served as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Department of Navy, where she was responsible for providing advice and counsel to the Assistant Secretary to the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Civilian Human Resources on strategies to address the Navy and Marine Corps military and civilian diversity and inclusion challenges for a workforce of over 900,000.
Ms. Bowens graduated from the University of Akron, Ohio, and was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps as a distinguished graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management; a Master of Arts Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University; and a Master’s degree in Military Operational Art/Science from the Air Force’s Air University. She is a graduate of several Air Force-level schools and held a variety of positions at the squadron, wing, and staff, in joint level organizations across a spectrum of 16 positions at 10 locations in and outside the continental United States.
Ms. Bowens is a Certified Diversity Professional, a New Inclusion Quotient Certified Game Changer, and a certified Coach from the John Maxwell Program. She is also a recognized Air Force Human Resources expert, having received two Air Force-level honors as the Senior Personnel Manager of the Year in 2002 and Junior Personnel Manager of the Year in 1997.
Ms. Bowens’ awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In 2018, she was recognized by Wonder Woman Tech as a Black Innovator in STEM + Arts; in 2013, she was selected by the National Association of Professional Women as “Professional Woman of the Year;” recognized as “Worldwide Who’s Who” in the Registry of Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs for 2012-2013.
Kevin M. Coleman is the Founder of KMC Empowerment where he provides executive coaching, empowering speeches, and professional development training to make individuals and organizations successful. This is done by inspiring leaders to define a clear vision, mission, and value systems that lead to exponential personal, professional, and business growth. Kevin has been leading training for Executives, Division Chiefs, Branch Chiefs, Mid-Level Managers, Supervisors, Team Leads, and Journeymen for over 35 years. KMC Empowerment has helped individuals, groups, and organizations reach exponential growth through coaching, training, team building, and strategic planning.
Kevin served as the President of the Benjamin Banneker Chapter (BBC) of Blacks In Government (BIG). Kevin is dedicated to demonstrating the BBC Theme in all aspects of his life “Believe, Inspire, and be Goal Driven”. While serving as the BBC President, the Benjamin Banneker Chapter was awarded two Agency Impact Awards for outstanding work for his organization and BIG. In addition, Kevin was awarded the BIG Region XI President Leadership Award. Kevin was also awarded the Virginia Professional Leadership Award for his professional (KMC Empowerment, LLC) work. Kevin has also served as the BBC Treasurer for 5 years. Lastly, Kevin served as the BIG Region XI Council Financial Secretary.
Kevin has vast experience speaking for all levels of audiences from four (4) to four thousand (4,000). Kevin served his country in the military and is a disabled veteran.
Kevin also serves as an officer in many ministries at his local Church. His interests are empowerment coaching, training, speaking, outreach, reading, writing, and spending time with family.
