Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce Michael D. Thomas will be moderating the panel “Navigating DEI Initiatives in 2024 and Beyond” at the 2024 South By Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference on March 11 at 4 p.m. CT. The session will focus on advancing workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the importance of inclusive leadership among employers.
“I am thrilled to join the conversation this year at SXSW,” said Michael. “Our session will discuss actionable tactics businesses can use to advance their DEI initiatives to elevate both their organizations and their people. SXSW is one of the most influential conferences in the world, and I look forward to engaging with my co-panelists and the talented individuals who will be attending.”
Michael will moderate the panel with Roberto Concepción, Jr. of Heart Communications Inc., Y-Vonne Hutchinson of ReadySet and Aisha Jorge Massengill of Sonos. Together they will discuss ways employers can collaborate on strategies to promote workplace DEI while mitigating risk, leveraging technology, forecasting future diversity, fostering a psychologically safe team, and tackling racial and ethnic disparities among diverse employees.
Michael is a principal in the firm’s Orange County, California, office and a co-leader of the firm's Corporate Diversity Counseling group. Understanding that clients are facing increasing calls from internal and external stakeholders to proactively address DEI and environmental, social and governance across their business. Michael works with clients to balance today’s complex web of decisions, laws and interests with varying legal, reputational and litigation risk with the often-competing demands for greater transparency. He assists clients in developing and implementing goal-driven, legally compliant DEI initiatives using current best practices, neuroscience, adult learning, experiential learning, dialogue, body awareness and mindfulness. Michael provides DEI workplace training on topics including unconscious bias and microaggression, as well as psychological safety and inclusive leadership.
Michael’s training includes a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University and a yoga certification from the Niroga Institute in Berkeley where he studied yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, which he leverages to motivate employers to create workplaces where both employees and businesses thrive in unison. He earned his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley; his J.D. from Boston College Law School; and his B.A. from Bucknell University.
“Michael and his esteemed panelists have prepared a presentation that includes something for every audience member to take back to their workplace and beyond,” said New York City Office Managing Principal Douglas J. Klein, who played a pivotal role in initially championing Jackson Lewis' SXSW participation. “The combination of legal and non-legal business perspectives on what exactly workplace inclusion and psychological safety look like in 2024 make the session culturally and professionally relevant to essentially any member of the workforce.”
“We are excited that the firm is taking part in this unique and impactful event for the first time,” said Austin Office Managing Principal Mitchell F. Boomer and Lauren Hope Whiting in a joint statement. "While our client base spans a wide spectrum, this opportunity allows the firm to discuss valuable DEI insights with businesses both locally and globally. It underscores the paramount importance of DEI initiatives, which are indispensable for the success and resilience of every employer, regardless of their industry or size.”
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