Past Curriculum Series

Spring 2022 Curriculum Series: “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Series”

Have you wondered what exactly it means to manage with diversity, equality and inclusiveness in mind? Trying to figure out how on earth to do it when you have to be both Chief of Staff and HR Director? Join us in hearing from women of color on Capitol Hill who are getting it done and a diverse group of leaders on and off the Hill who will share their hard-earned experiences. Part of the Women's Congressional Staff Foundation's Development series, WCSF will be hosting a three part educational, virtual panels on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for aspiring and current senior Hill staff. Separated into three sessions on February 25, March 11 and March 25, this online panels will delve into multiple subjects evolving around building DEI values within the Congressional Workplace.

DEI Today: Perspectives from Capitol Hill

Discussing the state of DEI efforts currently on the Hill, current and past women of color who have worked on Capitol Hill will discuss their personal experiences of working on Capitol Hill and moving forward, what we need to do to promote DEI values and actions in the Congressional Workplace.


First Panel Speakers

  • Moderator: Erica Miles, Senior Consultant, SVP, Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion, Wells Fargo & company

  • Sonali Desai, Chief Of Staff, representative judy chu

  • rachel dubin, research & data analyst, house office of diversity and inclusion

  • michelle perez exner, communications director, house republican leader kevin mccarthy

Hiring, Firing, and Other HR Challenges

An interactive participant discussion and a panel of four DEI-focused professionals will cover strategies for reducing bias in hiring, compensation and benefits, employee evaluations and decisions about when and how to let an employee go. Special attention will be paid to the challenges of establishing fair processes in these areas despite limited HR support and budgets.


Second Panel Speakers

  • Emily Dickens, Corporate Secretary, chief of staff and head, government affairs, society for human resource management

  • hope goins, staff director, house homeland security committee

  • Neri Martinez, Minority Staff Director, Senate Special Committee on Aging

  • Janet smith, cofounder and president, ivy planning group

Creating an Inclusive Workplace Environment

Made up of break out group discussions and a panel of four DEI-focused professionals, this session will cover how to establish a healthy team rapport by fostering trust and approachability, and create a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive office and frequent pitfalls that get in the way of fostering a fair workplace. Topics will include work from home policies – both how to ensure equity in how work from home flexibility is provided, and how to foster an inclusive environment when the team is working both in person and remotely.

Third Panel Speakers

  • stacy burton, principal, thegroup

  • Katrina Oshima, Professional Staff Member, House Office of Diversity and Inclusion

  • Charla Ouertatani, Staff Director, House Financial Services Committee

  • Alyssa Richardson, Deputy chief of staff, senator tim scott

 

2021 Spring Curriculum Program: “How To Lead”

The three-part series, “How to Lead,” drilled down into the different skills women need to be a successful Capitol Hill chief of staff or staff director.

A special thank you to our panelists:
Jen Daulby (Staff Director, House Administration Committee), Natalie Farr (former CoS Sen. Cory Gardner), Kim Stevens (Financial Administrator), Erin O’Quinn (CoS, Rep. Kim Schrier), Liz Sears Smith (Former CoS, Rahm Emanuel, D-IL), Jen Nawrocki Bradley (current CoS, John Rutherford, R-FL), Amy Roberti (former CoS, John Larson, D-CT), Denise Forte (Former Staff Director, House Ed and Labor), Deena Tauster (CoS, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-NY), Kelsey Moran (former CoS, Lois Frankel, D-FL), Kemba Hendrix (Director, House Diversity & Inclusion)

 

New Women of Congress Reception

A great crowd came out to honor the women in this year's historic freshman class! A special thanks to three of those freshmen, Congresswoman Donna Shalala Congresswoman Susan Wild and Rep. Madeleine Dean, who spoke about the importance of women supporting women.