As a first-generation American of Egyptian heritage, Dalia exemplifies innovation, determination, and a passion for community empowerment. Serving as Vice President at Unified Residential, she leads with extensive expertise in multifamily operations, team development, and strategic growth, consistently driving success in the real estate industry.

Dalia is the visionary behind She Suite Society, an inspiring podcast spotlighting leadership, professional growth, and achievements across diverse industries. Her dedication to supporting others extends to her board roles with the Women’s Small Business Accelerator (WSBA), where she empowers emerging entrepreneurs, and the Columbus Apartment Association (CAA), where she helps shape the future of multifamily housing.

As the Conference MC for the HRACO IDEAs conference, Dalia brings a dynamic blend of operational excellence, leadership development, and cultural insight to the stage. Her journey as a trailblazing professional and community advocate bridges cultural divides and inspires the next generation of business leaders, making her a standout voice at this year’s event.

About Dan’s Session:
In an era marked by political and social challenges to DEI, building inclusive organizational cultures, policies, and systems has never been more critical. With five generations in the workforce and significant demographic shifts underway, organizations need leaders who can bridge differences and foster environments that adapt to evolving landscapes. Yet, many current DEI practices are unproven, ineffective, and sometimes counterproductive—exacerbating divisions and resistance instead of fostering unity.

This session will contextualize current DEI efforts within broader movements for justice and equity, critically examine common approaches that fall short, and explore their leadership and organizational implications. Together, we’ll reimagine new strategies to build bridges, engage the entire organization, and create more effective, inclusive, and sustainable DEI initiatives.

About Dan:

Raised in a multicultural home with deep ties to Cuba and Israel, Dan Egol’s passion for social justice, community building, and global affairs was shaped early in life. A transformative experience in 2004, when changes in U.S. policy barred him from visiting family in Cuba for eight years, highlighted how an inability to navigate diversity with nuance and humility can divide communities and erode connections.

This insight drove Dan to study political science and sociology at Middlebury College, where he gained hands-on experience in admissions, disability advocacy, and race and ethnicity research. Internships with the Smithsonian American History Museum, the Washington Office on Latin America, and the ACLU’s Racial Justice Project further deepened his commitment to equity and justice.

Dan’s professional journey began at Cook Ross Inc., a leading DEI consultancy, where he held roles such as Project Manager, Client Success Lead, and Chief of Staff. Building on this foundation, Dan pursued an MBA at the Yale School of Management, earning numerous scholarships and accolades, including two peer-nominated ‘Teddy Awards’ for exemplifying Yale’s mission to educate leaders for business and society. While at Yale, he co-founded &Society, a forum for social justice dialogue, and served as Community & Inclusion Officer in student government.

Now, as the inaugural Executive Director of IDEAS Generation, Dan leads efforts to connect, support, and elevate emerging leaders advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice. His leadership has earned him recognition as a 2023 Roddenberry Foundation Fellow and the youngest member of the 2022 Leadership Greater Washington cohort. Under his guidance, IDEAS Generation’s fellowship program was named ProFellow’s #1 most popular fellowship program of 2023.

For more information about Dan Egol

About Sam and Gina’s Session:
Join Sam and Gina Mitchell at the HRACO IDEAs Conference for an inspiring session on fostering inclusive workplaces that embrace and celebrate neurodiversity. This dynamic presentation will equip HR and DEI professionals with actionable strategies to support employees on the autism spectrum, unlocking their unique talents to drive innovation and success.

Drawing from Sam’s personal journey and Gina’s advocacy experience, this session offers insights into how embracing differences can foster collaboration, enhance workplace culture, and redefine success for everyone. Attendees will leave empowered with tools to champion inclusion and harness the potential of diverse minds in their organizations.

About Sam:
Sam Mitchell is the Executive Director of Autism Rocks and Rolls Corporation, an advocacy organization with a mission to destigmatize autism and redefine how society talks about and perceives individuals on the spectrum. What began as a 16-year-old’s passion project—a podcast called Autism Rocks and Rolls—has grown into a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by Sam, now 22.

Diagnosed with autism at age 4, Sam created the podcast to share the emotional side of autism and demonstrate that those on the spectrum are not just differently-abled but also talented, skillful, and vital contributors to society. Today, the podcast has surpassed 100 episodes, featuring high-profile guests such as WWE wrestlers, Dr. Temple Grandin, NASCAR drivers, and more. Sam’s authentic and raw storytelling has made him an international motivational speaker, TEDx presenter, and guest on over 1,000 podcasts.

Sam is completing his final year of college, studying Broadcasting, and continues to organize events, advocate for the autism community, and develop resources like training modules for emergency workers to better understand and support individuals on the spectrum. Alongside his mother, Gina Mitchell—President of Autism Rocks and Rolls Corporation—Sam is co-authoring a children’s book and working on resources to support families with autistic members.

Through their collaborative efforts, Sam and Gina are breaking down barriers, fostering understanding, and proving that neurodiversity is a powerful driver of innovation and progress.

For more information, Autism Rocks and Rolls

Keynote Description:
In an increasingly interconnected world, cultural competency has become an essential leadership skill for navigating diverse markets, teams, and partnerships. This keynote explores how cultural curiosity—a key concept in Ukeme Awakessien Jeter’s book, IMMIGRIT—is transforming leadership by fostering innovation, empathy, and adaptability.

Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating cultural awareness into their leadership approach and actionable strategies to develop this critical skill. Key takeaways include:

• Understanding the role of cultural curiosity in enhancing leadership effectiveness and global competitiveness.
• Strategies to cultivate cultural curiosity within themselves and their organizations.
• Harnessing the power of diversity to drive innovation and strengthen team dynamics.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how cultural competency can elevate your leadership and propel your organization to new heights.

Biography:
Ukeme Awakessien Jeter is an author, attorney, engineer, and community advocate dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and driving innovation. Having lived in multiple cities across three countries, Ukeme brings a unique global perspective to leadership and problem-solving.

Ukeme is the author of IMMIGRIT, a book exploring the transformative power of cultural curiosity and its role in leadership. She is passionate about helping leaders navigate cultural diversity to create inclusive and effective teams. As a corporate attorney with an MBA and a background in mechanical engineering, she specializes in solving complex challenges and bringing revolutionary products and services to market.

Since making Upper Arlington, Ohio her home in 2018, Ukeme has been deeply involved in her community. She is a 2019 graduate of Leadership UA, served on the Citizen Financial Review Task Force, and played a pivotal role as a founding member of the city’s Community Relations Committee. In 2021, she spearheaded Upper Arlington’s first citywide Black History Month Celebration, working collaboratively with local schools, city leaders, and community organizations.

Ukeme’s leadership style is rooted in excellence, determination, and a bias toward action. Whether guiding executives in innovation strategy or advocating for community growth, she brings a multidimensional approach that bridges past experiences with future aspirations.

When she’s not advancing community initiatives or advising corporate leaders, Ukeme is a devoted mother of two, a former collegiate athlete, and a dynamic speaker inspiring audiences to embrace cultural competency as a cornerstone of effective leadership.

For more information, visit Ukeme Awakessien Jeter | Author of IMMIGRIT.

About Alex’s Session:
In a world where the value of a promise is often overlooked, the impact on workplaces is profound—broken trust, disengaged employees, and less inclusive environments. Alex Sheen, founder of the international movement because I said I would, believes that every individual has the power to honor their commitments and foster a culture of integrity.

This session is tailored for DEI and HR professionals seeking actionable strategies to:

• Strengthen Workplace Trust and Collaboration: Cultivate a culture of accountability and integrity to build trust, improve teamwork, and enhance collaboration.
• Build a More Equitable and Inclusive Workplace: Discover how the simple act of keeping promises fosters a just and equitable work environment for employees from all backgrounds.
• Improve Employee Engagement and Retention: Learn how a culture of accountability can boost morale, enhance engagement, and reduce turnover.

Through compelling real-life stories and actionable insights, Alex demonstrates how fulfilling commitments can transform workplaces, build stronger relationships, and create more inclusive environments. His thought-provoking session will inspire attendees to embrace integrity as a cornerstone of effective leadership and organizational success.

About Alex Sheen:
Alex Sheen is the founder of because I said I would, a global social movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept. Inspired by the legacy of his late father, Alex started the movement with the simple idea of sending “promise cards” to anyone, anywhere, at no cost. Today, the organization has sent over 9.81 million promise cards to people in 153 countries, sparking life-changing commitments and making headlines worldwide.

Alex’s dedication to keeping promises is exemplified by extraordinary acts, such as walking over 240 miles across Ohio in 10 days to honor a commitment. His impactful initiatives have been featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, CNN, The Today Show, NPR, The Los Angeles Times, and more.

Through because I said I would, Alex demonstrates how the act of keeping promises is deeply interwoven with integrity, accountability, and humanity. His message inspires individuals and organizations alike to hold themselves and each other accountable for building a better, more inclusive world.

For more information, visit because I said I would.