Diversity & Allyship Week 2025

February 3-7, 2025

Diversity and Allyship Week at the George Washington University School of Business (GWSB) both celebrates and reflects on the diversity, inclusivity and equity that we are committed to — and that we strive for — as a community. We are proud to host this annual series of events that have been organized with the goal of cultivating dialogue and increasing awareness about the vital importance of ensuring that DEI is foundational to the development of institutions in our society, from academia to the public, private and nonprofit business sectors. Diversity and Allyship Week is hosted by the Dean’s Diversity Council and the F. David Fowler Career Center.

Monday, February 3

Global Culture Day

1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Grand Ballroom, Third Floor, University Student Center

The GW School of Business Dean's Diversity Council, Undergraduate Business Association, Graduate Business Association, and International Student Advisory Board invite all GWSB students, faculty, and staff to the GWSB Global Culture Day!

As part of the 2025 Diversity and Allyship Week, GWSB Global Culture Day will allow GWSB students, staff and faculty to collaborate and showcase regional cultures of their choice. At GWSB Global Culture Day, there will be tabling (where participants will showcase food, clothes, art, etc. from the country or region they are representing), various small bites from around the world, and cultural performances throughout the event.

GW Business students, alumni, faculty and staff, company/employer representatives, prospective students, and members of the GW community are all invited to attend. This event is hosted by the GWSB Dean’s Diversity Council, the Undergraduate Business Association (UBA), the Graduate Business Association (GBA), and the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB).

Tuesday, February 4

Panel on Neurodiversity: Empowering Differences

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Virtual

This panel discussion will explore how recognizing and valuing the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodiverse individuals can lead to greater inclusivity and success. Through a dialogue with experts and advocates, we will examine the role of neurodiversity in education, leadership, and beyond, offering insights into creating environments that empower individuals of all abilities to thrive.

Panelists: Sean Hoffman (Partner, KPMG), Scott Gibson (Chief Operating Officer, Melwood), and Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura (Assoc. Prof., Human and Organizational Learning, GSHED)

Meet Our Panelists

Sean Hoffman

Sean Hoffman is the National and Americas Partner-in-Charge of Risk Management for KPMG’s Advisory Practice. Additionally, he leads the Firm’s Neurodiversity efforts which is focused on expanding employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. Sean serves on the Board of Directors of Melwood, a DC-based nonprofit with a mission to secure employment for people with disabilities, and previously served as the Chairman of the Board of the Directors of Autism Speaks - National Capital Region. He has two children, one of whom is on the Autism Spectrum and completing his freshman year in college. Sean graduated from the University of Notre Dame.

Scott Gibson

Scott Gibson is the Chief Strategy Officer of Melwood. He shapes Melwood’s long-term strategic objectives helping the organization respond to market changes and drive service innovation. By forging partnerships with industry leaders and community stakeholders, he has launched innovative new programs such as abilIT, which prepares people with disabilities to launch careers in IT. He was honored by The Daily Record and named to its VIP List, which recognizes Maryland’s leaders who are 40 years old or younger based on their professional accomplishments, community service, and a commitment to inspiring change. He is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, as well as the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government, where he earned a Master’s in Public Administration. At Fels, he was awarded the top prize for excellence in political leadership. He earned his Bachelors of Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University, where he later served as an adjunct professor of Political Science for 11 years.

Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura

Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura is an Associate Professor in the Human and Organizational Learning Department at the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at the George Washington University. Her research focuses on leadership learning and development, exploring adult learners’ minds, brains, and behaviors, with a particular emphasis on the intra- and interpersonal aspects of leadership. Her current research examines the identity development of neurodiverse leaders. Dr. Nakamura is the recipient of the 2024 Assistant Professor Award from the University Council for Workforce and Human Resource Education. One of her publications received the Elwood F. Holton III Research Excellence Award from Human Resource Development Review. She is actively engaged in scholarly publishing, serving on the Editorial Advisory Boards of Human Resource Development Review and Human Resource Development International. Additionally, she is an associate editor for Human Resource Development Quarterly and a special issue editor for New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. Before joining The George Washington University, Dr. Nakamura served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. She was also Head of Academic Learning and Neuroscience at Columbia Business School’s Executive Education department, where she directed the Neuroscience to Enhance Leadership Development program.

Miranda Montenegro (moderator)

Miranda Montenegro is a Global MBA and Master of Business Analytics candidate at the George Washington University, set to graduate in May 2025. She has accepted a post-graduation role as an Investment Banking Associate at Barclays in New York. Currently, she serves also serves as a Graduate Associate for the F. David Fowler Career Center and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for Strategy Concepts graduate course. Prior to starting her degree at GWSB, she worked as a Reinsurance Broker at BMS Group for 6 years, managing a diverse client portfolio across Latin America. Miranda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Purdue University, where she graduated magna cum laude. Originally from El Salvador, she is passionate about finance, strategy, and analytics. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, tennis, and golf.

This event will be held online. GW Business students, alumni, faculty and staff, company/employer representatives, prospective students, and members of the GW community are all invited to attend.

Career Town Hall: The Future of Recruiting

6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Funger Hall, Room 108

Discover what’s next in the world of recruiting while meeting recruiters in person from top companies actively shaping the future of work. This panel and networking event combines valuable insights with the rare opportunity to connect directly with industry professionals.

What’s In It for You?

Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Meet and interact with recruiters from leading companies during the networking reception — your chance to build relationships that could lead to internships, rotational programs, or full-time roles.
Cutting-Edge Recruitment Trends: Learn how advancements like AI and automation are transforming the hiring process and what these changes mean for your career.
Insider Advice on Talent Development: Gain valuable tips on finding and preparing for sought-after internship and rotational opportunities, plus insights into the skills top employers are looking for.
The State of Diversity in Recruiting: Understand how companies are addressing diversity challenges and the rising importance of neurodiversity in creating inclusive workplaces.

Why This Event Matters

You’ll leave with practical strategies to stand out in today’s competitive job market and direct connections with recruiters from big-name companies. Don’t miss this unique chance to combine career education with real-world networking.

GW Business students, alumni, faculty and staff, company/employer representatives, prospective students, and members of the GW community are all invited to attend.

Wednesday, February 5

Shaping the Future: Indigenous Leadership and the Student Experience

4:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Duquès Hall, Room 553

Kick off the year by exploring how Indigenous leadership is shaping the future of tribal sovereignty, economic development, and cultural preservation. Don’t miss Shaping the Future: Indigenous Leadership and the Student Experience, featuring a fireside chat focused on the critical role of Indigenous leadership in advocating for tribal sovereignty, driving economic development, and preserving cultural heritage. A student-led panel diving into the history and evolution of Native education — from the legacy of boarding schools to the challenges and triumphs of modern Native students at institutions like GW.

All GW Business students are invited to attend. Members of the Dean's Diversity Council, as well as GWSB faculty and staff, are also welcome.

Thursday, February 6

George Talks Business with Rayvon Fouché: Transforming Tech Innovation with Inclusive Perspectives

5:30 - 6:00 p.m. (program), 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (reception)
Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21^st St. NW

For a special George Talks Business installment during Diversity and Allyship Week, join GW Business Interim Dean Vanessa Perry on Thursday, February 6 as she sits down with Rayvon Fouché, associate dean for graduate education at Northwestern University's School of Communication, to discuss the intersections of cultural representation, racial identity and technoscientific design. Gain insights into how societal values influence technological innovation and adoption, and delve into how technology can both reflect and challenge cultural and racial biases.

This event will be GW's 2025 Robert P. Maxon Lecture. A reception will follow. GW Business students, alumni, faculty and staff, company/employer representatives, prospective students, and members of the GW community are all invited to attend. Learn more about Rayvon Fouché and the George Talks Business Series.

Friday, February 7

GWSB Book Club - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabelle Wilkerson

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Duquès Hall, Room 150

Please join us for a special Diversity and Allyship Week book club meeting to discuss Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents." The book explores social hierarchy and its impact on society today, helping us understand our world on a deeper level.

GW Business students, alumni, faculty and staff, company/employer representatives, prospective students, and members of the GW community are all invited to attend.

Explore Other DEI Events & Initiatives at GW

Dean's Diversity Council

F. David Fowler Career Center

George Talks Business Series