Continuing the Conversation with GYP: Diverse Experiences in the Workplace

During this Gwinnett Young Professionals (GYP) event, we will be continuing the conversation from the Gwinnett Chamber’s DE&I Summit and diving deeper into the diverse experiences of young professionals in the workplace. The event will begin with a guided exercise that will allow attendees to get to know each other. Following this will be a panel discussion featuring Cole Porter, Janelle King, Kam Phillips, Nury Castro, and moderated by Jasmine Billings and Tommy Easley.

Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served at the event.

MEET THE PANELISTS

Nury Castro

Nury Lizeth Castro (she/ella) is a dynamic and forward thinker, intentional community builder, and healing agent; her practice is guided by scholarship, theory, intersectionality, critical consciousness, and principles that center community and social equity. Her natural talent, unwavering tenacity, and ability to center theory-to-practice have allowed Nury to serve in various roles as a university and college administrator. Nury is currently a doctoral student at the University of Dayton and she received a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University. As a first-generation American and college graduate, Nury’s guiding principle is the humanist African philosophy, “Ubuntu: I am, because you are.” Nury fiercely believes that her duty as an educator is to ensure that education is equitable and accessible for all people of minoritized identities and backgrounds. Her hobbies include reading, frequenting her hometown (Durham, NC), escaping to the mountains, making and drinking cold brew, and exploring local bookstores.

Janelle King | Founder, Excel Leadership

Janelle King is an I/O Consultant and Certified Life & Leadership Coach. It is her mission to help organizations, teams, professionals, and people reimagine and redesign the way they do life and work through the power of purpose and the science and practice of industrial-organizational psychology. She is currently living out this mission as an I-O Consultant to organizations through her company Excel Leadership, where she creates purpose-driven and engaging cultures for organizations, teams, and professionals to excel and thrive in the workplace. She also serves as a Certified Life & Leadership Coach through her personal and professional development company, Life Designer University, where she coaches women to design a life and career they love.

Cole Porter | Vice President, Porter Steel

Cole Porter is the current Vice President of Porter Steel, Inc. and past owner of multiple small business ventures. A graduate of the University of Georgia and a lifelong Atlanta native, Cole focuses most of his energy today on facilitating growth, development, and efficiency in his employees, work processes, and business relationships. Additionally, he places a large emphasis on community involvement and integrity in business. Over the years that he has worked in the family steel business, Cole has performed in multiple departments, holding positions from Shop Helper to Vice President. Cole’s entrepreneurial drive and widely varied business experience are what inspire him to make the most of each opportunity that a business encounters in order to maximize profit and the experience of those involved simultaneously.

Kam Phillips | Founder, The Kam Phillips Group

Kam Phillips is a certified Life & Leadership Coach and Inspirational Speaker who specializes in developing teens, students, and early career professionals into emerging leaders. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Economics from Emory University and excelling in the corporate world with firms such as ETRADE, AllianceBernstein, and JPMorgan Private Bank, Kam decided to walk away from his career in finance. Kam now uses his gifts to help students and young adults navigate through difficult transitions by providing speaking engagements that positively impact their personal development, emotional well-being, and career trajectory.

MEET THE MODERATORS

Jasmine Billings

Jasmine Billings (she/her) is a vibrant, intentional community builder, passionate about growth in the community through building relationships, developing partnerships, supporting youth advocacy, and strategic civic engagement/awareness. Serving as the Community Development Manager for the City of Lawrenceville, Jasmine is experienced in Event Management and Community Outreach, with a passion for Sport Management. Through connectivity and shared experiences, her drive is to educate and engage with youth and create awareness through workforce development. Her positive, initiative-driven attitude highlights her commitment to creating a holistic approach of self-determination and collective action. Jasmine was instrumental in the creation of the Summer of Impact Program in 2018. The strategic internship program for local high schools brought together students, local businesses, non-profits, and community leaders to build young leaders for tomorrow. She currently serves as the Chair Elect for Gwinnett Young Professionals, Mainstreet Manager for the City of Lawrenceville, Board Member of Gwinnett United in Drug Education, Board Member of Hudgens Center for Arts and Learning, and is a recent graduate of the Carl Vincent Institute of Government.

Tommy Easley

Tommy Easley is the Ticket Sales Director with the Atlanta Gladiators Professional Hockey Club. He is entering his 5th season with the club where his focus is on business development through season tickets and premium hospitality. Tommy is a current member of the Gwinnett County Young Professionals Board. Prior to joining the Gladiators, Tommy has worked with the Chicago Bulls and Cincinnati Reds. Tommy is a Cincinnati native where he graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in sports management and was a 4 year varsity athlete.

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