SPONSORED BY:
Elevating the Conversation
The IPA supports industry initiatives to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the PDI workforce. IPAForum 2021, our flagship DEI event, brought together industry executives from diverse backgrounds,
experiences, and expertise to elevate the conversation on creating a vibrant environment that respects and values our individual differences.
KEYNOTE
Implementing Change in the Workplace
Wesley LePatner is a Senior Managing Director in the Real Estate Group and serves as the Global Chief Operating Officer of the Core+ business and the Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT). Ms. LePatner also serves as the Chair of the Women’s Initiative at Blackstone.
Before joining Blackstone in 2014, Ms. LePatner spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs, most recently as a Managing Director and the Chief Operating Officer of the Real Estate Investment Group within the Asset Management Division. Prior to that, Ms. LePatner worked in Goldman Sachs’ Real Estate Principal Investment Area and the Real Estate Investment Banking Group.
Ms. LePatner received a BA from Yale University, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021
Welcome Remarks
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee co-chairs welcomed attendees, outlined the goals and initiatives of the IPA Committee.
Deborah Froling
Partner,
Kutak Rock LLP
Vere Reynolds-Hale
Head of National Accounts,
Griffin Capital Securities
Sponsored By
KEYNOTE: Implementing Change in the Workplace
Our keynote speaker, Wesley LePatner, Senior Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, discussed DEI best practices, examine the challenges of implementing corporate DEI initiatives across the wide variety of IPA member firms, share recommendations for tackling change, and provide advice on how to build an inclusive work environment.
Wesley LePatner
Senior Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust
Anne-Marie Vandenberg
IPA Chair-Elect, President, CCO & Portfolio Manager, RREEF Property Trust, Inc.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021
The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
All companies fundamentally want to succeed and perform at the highest levels. We heard from McKinsey & Company Associate Partner, David Baboolall, on how diversity drives performance and why it can be an important predictor of a company’s success. David shared data related to fund company performance as it relates to diversity, to give members a framework to which to work from.
David Baboolall
Associate Partner,
McKinsey & Co.
Understanding Evolving ESG Policies & Practices
As Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) policies and practices become more and more prevalent, this panel explored how companies are evaluating factors like environmental sustainability and DEI when determining how to allocate resources and set investment criteria.
Moderator
Angie Fisher, Vice President, Operations, Strategic Planning & Projects, CIM Group
Amy Ridge
Principal, Mercer Private Markets,
Mercer
Nathaalie Carey
Senior Vice President, Industry Affairs & Social Responsibility, NAREIT
Alice Connaughton
Partner,
Morrison & Foerster LLP
How Are We Implementing Change at the Top?
Lasting cultural change comes from the top. It comes from concrete and noticeable changes in leadership behavior– what they do, who they hire, who they ask to move on, who they listen to and emulate, where they spend their time, what they talk about in meetings, what they measure, how they invest the firm’s money — and not from sitting at a desk or hanging corporate posters and banners. Management has to be committed to change and lead by example. Attendees heard from CEOs and industry leaders as they shared ideas on how to discuss and create real and meaningful DEI cultural change.
Moderator
Deborah Froling
Partner, Kutak Rock LLP
Gloria Nelund
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
TriLinc
Nancy Fahmy
Managing Director,
Bank of America
Liz Day
Senior Counsel,
Invesco Ltd.
Sponsored By
Working Lunch: So What Do I Do Now? Practical Steps for Change in Your Life and Organization
Change isn’t only big, structural, and difficult. It’s possible for each of us to make change and be more inclusive and impactful in our own spheres, right now. Once you’ve had the chance to reflect internally as well as examine your own areas of influence, what’s one thing you’ll commit to changing? Focusing on integrating learnings into action and reflect on our individual roles in advancing DEI work.
Sara Blanchard
Facilitator, TEDx Speaker, Writer, and Consultant;
Author of Flex Mom, and Co-Host of Dear White Women
Misasha Suzuki Graham
Facilitator, Writer, Speaker;
Co-Host of Dear White Women
The Pandemic and its Impact on Diversity
The pandemic, which necessitated and created unprecedented flexibility in the workforce, also had a disparate impact on certain demographics. This panel provided suggestions on how companies can enrich their diversity and training programs to help develop new skills and jobs to create a more robust and equitable workforce.
Moderator
Anya Coverman, SVP, Government Affairs and General Counsel, IPA
Chantalle Couba
Inclusion and Diversity Officer and Chief of Staff, Executive Office, Cetera Financial Group
Courtland Warren
CEO, Speaker, Corporate Trainer,
OPTEFFECT, LLC
David Baboolall
Associate Partner,
McKinsey & Co.
Closing Remarks
Nina Anderson
Client & Partner Group,
KKR & Co.
2021 EVENT SPONSORS
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