HACE’S ERG SYMPOSIUM

Gerri Madrid-Davis is the Director of Internal Engagement in the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at AARP and works to advance DEI principles and actions across AARP’s workforce and workplace and fulfill AARP’s vision of a society in which all people live with dignity and purpose and fulfill their goals and dreams. She directs AARP’s award-winning Employee Resource Program and consults with teams across AARP to drive inclusion, belonging and equity. Gerri is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Institute on Retirement Security and has been a member of the Board since 2015.

Gerri has extensive experience in leading nonprofit organizations and collaborative initiatives. She led a state Government Affairs team focused on consumer and financial issues in the states for a decade at AARP, was the first Executive Director of the National Public Pension Coalition and was a Senior Committee Director and lobbyist for Labor and Economic Development and Budgets and Taxation at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Gerri began her career as Senior Program Coordinator at the Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA) in Denver, Colorado.

Ms. Madrid-Davis earned undergraduate degrees in Anthropology/Archeology and Multicultural Women's Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver (formerly Metropolitan State College) and completed her Master of Arts in Public Affairs coursework at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. She recently completed a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program at Cornell University.

Jennifer Murillo is Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and a member of the Management Committee at Discover Financial Services. She is responsible for Brand Strategy and Communications; Consumer Insights; Rewards and Product Strategy; and Enterprise Programs.

Ms. Murillo joined Discover in 1999 and most recently served as Vice President of Global Marketing for Discover Global Network and Diners Club. Prior to that, she led advertising, sponsorships and consumer insights for Discover Card.

Before joining Discover Ms. Murillo developed media and message strategies for a variety of packaged goods, retail and automotive brands in her roles at advertising agencies. She has a Bachelor of Science from the Medill School of Journalism and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management, both at Northwestern University. Ms. Murillo previously served as a board member for the National Council of Better Business Bureaus and as Chairwoman of its Brand Committee. She is a member of Discover’s Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce and of the Women Executive 50.

Working Mother Magazine and Advertising Women of New York named her “Advertising Working Mother of the Year” in 2011, and Brand Innovators named her to its “Women to Watch” list in 2019.

Patricia is an innovative trailblazer, advocate for access & equity, startup entrepreneur, author, connector, public speaker, and compassionate leader with a particular strength that exemplifies the mission of the Hispanic Alliance of Career Enhancement (HACE); to positively impact the workforce by cultivating the pipeline of Latinx/a/os talent and providing insight, access and support to their careers. Patricia serves as the President & CEO for HACE, leading strategy, fundraising & development, leadership programs, and expanding organizational reach on a national and international scale.

Patricia is also a co-founder of SHENIX™, a Fintech tool to close the wealth gap that impact Latinas. Patricia’s story of transition is one that is representative of many of the stories of those positively impacted by programs and opportunities through HACE. Patricia is a proud Mexican-American, Latina, daughter of immigrants, and first-generation college graduate and professional. She is a fitness enthusiast, health, and lifestyle aficionado.

Patricia has a strong history of serving in capacities that garner access to education, meaningful jobs, and advancement, also reflected by her service on various boards and accolades; serving on the Associated Colleges of Illinois, Indiana University’s O’Neil School of Public Affairs Distinguished Alumni Council, Chicago Theological Seminary Board of Trustee, Illinois Treasurer Charitable Trust Board and most recently awarded the SHERO award by the Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW) in 2021, the Nonprofit HR Top Leaders to Watch in 2020, and Crain’s Chicago Business Top 20 Most Powerful Latinos in Chicago in 2019.

Patricia earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University-Bloomington in Spanish and Communication & Culture and a Master’s in Public Affairs (MPA) in Public Management from Indiana University’s School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA)-Indianapolis, along with executive leadership certificates from both Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. Patricia is also a certified coach and Insights Discovery© licensed practitioner, and a proud 2022 World Economic Forum at Davos Delegate, 2019 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and 2019 Aspen Institute Festival of Ideas Scholar.

Joshua Dantzler is a Sr. Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist for Amtrak.

Named a 2022 Rising Star, by Progressive Railroading Magazine, his work includes supporting the development and mobilization of Amtrak’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging programs and initiatives, while also managing the company’s eight Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

Originally from Rock Hill, South Carolina, his upbringing has led him to have a passion for addressing educational and racial inequities, a spirit for community involvement, and an interest in creating inclusive communities wherever he goes.

A graduate of School of Public Affairs at American University, in Washington DC, Joshua holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a minor in communication studies, and a certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies. He also holds a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace from the University of South Florida.

As a DEI practitioner, Joshua credits his undergraduate work as student worker in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at American University as the place where he found his passion for fostering belonging and the importance of practicing Intersectionality and Allyship -always.

Joshua is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is a volunteer leader with the AU Alumni Association.

When not working or volunteering Joshua can be found spending time with his family and friends making memories, seeing shows, and trying new things. His spare time is often found with the people he loves, and on the weekends, it definitely includes brunch.

Group Vice President of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, Ross Stores, Inc.

Susan is currently the Group Vice President for Ross Stores, Inc. In this role she is responsible for the design, development and implementation of the Ross Stores, Inc. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Strategy and Plan. Prior to joining Ross, Susan served at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., as Chief Diversity Officer and Highly Qualified Expert (HQE), United States Army, advising top military and civilian officials throughout the Department of Defense and the White House. In addition, Susan has earned more than 20 years of strategic diversity, inclusion, talent management, and human resources leadership experience at several Fortune 500 companies including Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion for Microsoft, Vice President of the Corporate Law Office, Vice President of Human Resources and Director of Talent Management for Bank of America, and Assistant Vice President of Corporate Diversity Staffing for the TJX Companies. She also served as CEO and Chief Diversity Consultant for Inclusion Excellence, LLC., where she provided DE&I strategic advise to several Fortune 500 companies including, Burlington Stores, AstraZeneca and Sunoco.

Susan holds an undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Northeastern University, completing international studies in London and in Prague. She has held numerous professional certifications including Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Employment Law and Human Resources Negotiation Skills from the Harvard University/MIT/TUFTS Program on Negotiation. In addition, Susan holds U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Susan is widely recognized as one of the top Chief Diversity Officers in the United States and has been formally recognized for excellence in diversity and inclusion with numerous awards including; the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting’s, Diversity Leadership and Service Award, Bank of America/Fleet – Diversity in Action Award, the YMCA Black Achievers Award, the National Association of Professional Women “Professional Woman of the Year” Award, and the U.S. Army “Superior Civilian Service Award” for excellence in diversity and inclusion. She has demonstrated her personal commitment to the diversity and inclusion profession in volunteer roles including Society for Human Resources Diversity and Inclusion Expertise Advisor and State Diversity and Inclusion Director. She also served as Regional Director for the International Society of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals, Diversity and Inclusion Subject Matter Expert for the Institute for Diversity Certification, and as a Georgetown University – Diversity & Inclusion Advisor.