Meet The Forum Staff
Dr. Artika R. Tyner is a passionate educator, author, sought after speaker, and advocate for justice. At the University of St. Thomas, Dr. Tyner serves as the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. She is committed to training students to serve as social engineers who create new inroads to justice and freedom.
Dr. Tyner teaches leadership coursework on ethics, critical reflection, and organizational development. Her research focuses on diversity/inclusion, community development, and civil rights. She has presented her research and conducted leadership training programs both nationally and internationally.
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Steve Humerickhouse is the Executive Director of The Forum on Workplace Inclusion. Humerickhouse has been with The Forum for more than fourteen years. During that time he has expanded The Forum from a one-day event into the leading international global conference for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity.
“I have come to realize that participants attend for two reasons: learning and community. By working together and getting to know each other, we create a unity of purpose and a community of action.”
Steve is also an active freelance instrumentalist in the Twin Cities.
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Aaron Monson joined The Forum in September 2016 as the Forum’s Business Manager. In his role he oversees The Forum’s finances, legal contracts, conference logistics – all while keeping the office running smoothly.
Aaron brings both conference and education experience to The Forum, and was previously the Program Manager for the International Center of Academic Integrity at Clemson University. He and his wife are enjoying the joys and challenges of being first-time parents.
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Ben Rue is The Forum’s Program Coordinator, which means he’s our right hand, left hand and everything in between! He leads the monthly webinars, and his role includes organization of the annual Call For Proposals, oversight of program logistics, plus support for the executive director, marketing, design/programming and office teams.
In addition to his work for The Forum, Ben is an Event Coordinator at Events by Lady K, creating inclusive and empowering events that bring people together to have fun while doing good.
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Violet Kuteesa Musimami is the Forum’s Registrar and Administrative Assistant. In her role, Violet manages data in our CVENT website, as well as supports attendees over the phone and via email to set up their online registration. She’s a wealth of knowledge about the conference in general – if you have a question – she has an answer!
Violet is an alumna of the University of St Thomas, she graduated with a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Change Leadership. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two sons.
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Consultants to The Forum
Heidi Batz Rogers is The Forum’s Program Design Director, bringing decades of experience in the diversity and inclusion space to create and manage all aspects of the programming each year. In her role she leads the The Forum’s new strategic direction: focusing on engaging people, advancing ideas and igniting change so that The Forum can serve as a catalyst for personal and professional development.
In addition to her work at The Forum, Heidi is Principal at Good Leadership Enterprises, and is a motivational leadership coach, speaker and facilitator.
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Michael Coty serves The Forum in the areas of Strategic Planning, which also includes meeting facilitation, leadership development and executive coaching. Highly respected and admired for his unique perspectives, his creative yet pragmatic approach, and honest observations – Michael has been a key leader in The Forum’s continual development.
Michael is the principal of Michael Coty Consulting, providing services to both for-profit and non-profit sectors specializing in human resources, leadership coaching, management training and organizational development.
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Bringing over 25 years of experience in marketing, advertising and design, Melissa Kalal provides expertise to The Forum in her role as Marketing and Media Director. She authors the strategic direction for The Forum’s external communication plan, while managing the online and print advertising, and leveraging media partnerships that best promote The Forum to local, national and international attendees.
Melissa is the Principal at Modern Culture, a consulting agency that provides customized strategies and solid implementation plans for organizations to achieve healthy growth while creating workplace cultures of excellence.
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Amy Perez Ortiz has been involved with The Forum for more than 17 years in a variety of roles and serving on multiple committees. Her focus as Director of Business Development is on building relationships with sponsors and collaborative business alliances. The Forum has enjoyed responsible fiscal operations, and Amy works to ensure that continues as she leads the efforts to continually expand The Forum’s relationships in ways that engage diverse stakeholders and promotes inclusive collaboration.
Amy is Owner at Perez Ortiz Consulting, specializing in strategic diversity and inclusion business development, sales and marketing, initiatives, and management consulting to result in growing workplace and community engagement. She also works with the non-profit Spokesman-Recorder on African and African American scholarships, and is on the Twin Cities Corporate Advisory Board for the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).
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