Keynote Address: "Communicating with Impact: The Use of Storytelling to Demonstrate Empathy and Build Psych Safety": 1:15 - 2:15 PM Eastern (10:15 - 11:15 AM Pacific)

In this keynote session, Dr. John explores the topic of “communicating with impact”.  To understand what this phrase means exactly, we need to deconstruct it into its constitutive parts. Communication often takes on a variety of meanings and is subject to individual personality styles, contexts, cultures, and social norms. However, the mechanics of communication are relatively more common. In general, to communicate with others we send information, receive information, and interpret what we hear. Dr. John explores these three elements of communication to better understand how we can ‘communicate’ effectively with others. Secondly, Dr. John examines our common understanding of ‘impact’ and how our understanding of the term within organizational contexts are often in conflict with how we define the term more generally. Once deconstructed, Dr. John will examine how the terms work in tandem to shape our discussions around prevalent societal topics, namely diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Dennis John, Ph.D.
CEO of Without Exception, Facilitator, DEI Practitioner

Dennis is the chief executive officer of Without Exception, a company he founded to help organizations build, develop, and fine-tune their diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy by leveraging systems thinking to deconstruct these complex topics into concrete actions that facilitate immediate and sustainable change. Without Exception partners with organizations to help them identify starting points that promote greater equity and belonging for all employees.

Dennis has over 20 years of experience in the higher education and nonprofit sectors, holding a variety of
strategic leadership roles in that time. Beginning his professional career as a registrar for a small law
school in Southern California, Dennis went on hold senior leadership positions in accreditation and
licensing, institutional effectiveness, admissions, and institutional research. In his most recent role as
Director of Research for Math for America in New York, Dennis designed and implemented a large-scale
research agenda measuring programmatic impacts on educators across all five New York City boroughs.
Dennis has also developed and taught graduate leadership courses and is an expert in Systems Thinking
and qualitative research methodology.

Dennis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of
California, Irvine, his MBA from Everest University, and his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from The
Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dennis also holds a certification in online teaching pedagogy as
well as certifications in a variety of assessments and experiential learning programs.

Dennis is a member of the Academy of Management, the Association for Institutional Research, and the
American Educational Research Association. He is also an Advisory Council Member for the Conscious
Leadership and Team Management Certificate Program at the University of Chicago Graham School of
Professional Development Programs.