The Speakers

Nick Alm (they/them)

Nick (BS '18) is unstoppably energized by getting all organizations to embrace everyone LGBTQ, including the intersections of race, gender, orientation, and ability.

In 2017 Nick founded Mossier, a social enterprise with a mission of enabling LGBTQ employment equity. Mossier helps employers not just attract but retain diverse talent while simultaneously helping organizations build strong cultures of LGBTQ inclusion. Mossier's current partners include Land O' Lakes, Turnberry Solutions, Andersen Corporation, Radisson Hotels, Planned Parenthood, Code42, Star Tribune, Lurie, and more.

Shaka Farr (he/him)

Lead Diverse Segments Program Manager Black & African American, LGBTQ Segment Lead Human Resources, Talent Acquisition Strategy Wells Fargo & Company

Shaka Farr is a Lead Diverse Segments Program Manager for Wells Fargo Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. On the National Partnerships & Programs team, he is responsible for co-leading the team’s enhanced DE&I priorities where he and his team cultivates relationships with professional diversity organizations across the country. Leading this work empowers the enterprise talent acquisition team to strategically pipeline diverse talent across all lines of business and internal functions while innovating employer brand channels of engagement. Previously, Shaka served as a Senior Campus Recruiting Consultant on the Global University Recruiting team where he led recruitment strategies for several University Programs, including: Finance, Enterprise Analytics & Data, Corporate Risk, Treasury Management, and Legacy CAO (Community Relations, Human Resources, and Marketing).

Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2011, Shaka led the recruiting and learning & development initiatives at a global retail entity’s flagship store in downtown Minneapolis. A proven leader in both human resources and diversity, equity & inclusion, he has served on several local and international panel discussions centered on DE&I. Possessing over 15 years of diversity talent experience, he is considered a trusted consultant in implementing innovative and strategic recruiting initiatives across various disciplines and is respected as an expert in his field.

Shaka proudly serves as the Enterprise Pride Connection’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advocacy Outcomes Chair where he guides over 50+ leaders across the domestic and international footprint toward Wells Fargo’s DE&I priorities for the LGBTQ segment. Outside of work, he serves on the board for Quorum (Minnesota’s LGBTQ and Allied Chamber of Commerce) where he chairs the Corporate Development and Governance committees. A strong advocate for supporting youth experiencing houselessness, he is often found volunteering his time with YouthLink MN, a local non-profit that services the unhoused communities of Minnesota.

Shaka is a native of Minneapolis, MN where he lives with his Australian Cattle Dog, Bindi. He enjoys traveling, photography, and craft breweries.

Rebecca C. Hershey, JD (she/her)

As Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Rebecca Hershey works on Human Rights Campaign's DEI team to develop and drive implementation of DEI strategies. A licensed attorney with a focus on civil rights, Rebecca has cultivated a career in community-focused nonprofits: she has worked as a juvenile defender, an advocate and attorney combatting racial profiling, and in coalition with community-based organizations to expand access to opportunity for marginalized people. Prior to HRC, Rebecca worked with Goodwill Industries International as Director of Inclusion, Equity & Engagement where she equipped local organizations to advance equity, inclusion, and financial wellness for their participants and employees and was on faculty for executive leadership programs preparing senior leaders to take action around DEI. Rebecca is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Maine School of Law, is originally from Brooklyn, New York but also grew up in rural Maine, and currently lives in Washington DC, where she loves to run, cook, garden, and dance with her three spirited kids.

Patricia Izek

Patricia Izek is presently the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant in the Office of Human Resources at the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about her current role where she works to highlight the areas of opportunity surrounding the issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. She collaborates with the Office for Equity and Diversity at the University and co- presents two of their workshops, Implicit Bias in the Search Process and Selection Processes and Addressing Implicit Bias and Microaggressions. Previously, Patricia was a Talent Acquisition Consultant as well as a Diversity & Inclusion Recruiter for the Office of Human Resources at the University. She also worked as a paralegal in the Office of the General Counsel at the University and was Head of a Spanish Department/Teacher at a private school in the metro area. Throughout her careers, she has maintained a focus on furthering the understanding and importance of the issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Patricia holds a Bachelor in History from Loyola University of Chicago and a Master’s of Education from the University of Minnesota in Human Resource Development.

Jael Kerandi

Jael was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and moved to the United States when she was 1 and 1/2 years old. She recently graduated from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management with a Bachelors of Science in Finance and Marketing with minors in Leadership and Business Law; with high distinction.

During her tenure at the University Jael served as the first Black Undergraduate Student Body President and Vice President at the University of Minnesota. She was a two-term Student Representative to the Board of Regents, and served as the Chair of the Student Representatives to the Board of Regents during the 2020-2021 academic year. Throughout her four years, she served as Director of Athletic Relations for the Minnesota Student Association. She also served as the Vice President and Secretary of Programming of the National Association of Black Accountants Student Chapter. She was a member of the Undergraduate Advisory Board and sat on Carlson DEI committee. She is an extremely proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was initiated into the Nu Epsilon Chapter in Spring of 2021.

She worked in the Leadership Minor and in Carlson as a Carlson Ambassador for 3.5 years. She was named a 2x Presidential award winner, Zander award winner, SEED scholar, and Johnson award winner. She was a participant of competitive programs at Harvard, Google, Business Today, and more. Jael was blessed to be featured in the documentary “This Free North” (documenting the history of Black individuals at the University of Minnesota) alongside her family and was the 2021 commencement speaker at each of her graduations.

Jael is passionate about creating a better world for future generations. Racial justice and working towards a more equitable world is important to her. For her efforts during her collegiate tenure, she was honored to be featured on CNN, Teen Vogue, ELLE, CNBC, The Voice, MSNBC, MTV, Cosmopolitan, NowThis, and more. She has had the opportunity to speak across the nation at Notre Dame, Columbia, Princeton, and more.

She has a deep love for football but enjoys watching almost all sports. In her free time, she enjoys babysitting, fitness (specifically weight lifting), and cooking/baking. Fun fact: Jael doesn’t use an alarm clock to wake up! Jael is the youngest of her five siblings. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington and works as a Financial Analyst for Microsoft. She currently serves on the UMN Black Alumni Board. She volunteers with Care for Students tutoring 4th graders in math and with the Girls Are Powerful organization.

Ann Maranzano, (she/her)

Ann Maranzano is a Sr. Merchandising Leader for Entertainment categories at Target. As a DE&I Ally, Ann is a Sponsor of the Pride+ Business Council and actively works to create inclusive assortments and experiences for all. Originally from Michigan where she attended Michigan State University, Ann has lived in Minnesota and worked for Target for 20+ years. She currently resides in Minnetonka with her family.

Kayla McGrady (she/her)

Kayla is a second year MBA student and has just finished her term as the MBAA's first Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and is a student representative on the Dean's Advisory Council for DEI. She also serves as a board member for Mosaic, MBAA's BIPOC advocacy club.

She is an out bisexual woman and an ally to her trans wife. After graduation, she will be joining Boston Consulting Group's Minneapolis office.

Joan Trumpauer Mulholland

Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, a recipient of the 2015 National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award, is a Civil Rights Icon who participated in over 50 sit-ins and demonstrations by the time she was 23 years old. She was a Freedom Rider, participant in the Jackson Woolworth’s Sit-in, the March on Washington, the Meredith March and the Selma to Montgomery March.

For her actions she was disowned by her family, attacked, shot at, cursed at, put on death row and hunted down by the Klan for execution. Her path has crossed with some of the biggest names in the Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, Diane Nash and Julian Bond.

As a white southern woman her courage and fortitude in the Movement is highly regarded and recognized. Joan has appeared in several books including “Coming of Age in Mississippi”, “Breach of Peace”, “We Shall Not Be Moved”, and the new illustrated children’s books about her life, “She Stood For Freedom”. She has appeared on television and news programs like the “CBS Nightly News”. And her story and experiences were highlighted award-winning documentaries including “An Ordinary Hero”, PBS’s “Freedom Riders”, “Standing on My Sister’s Shoulders” and the groundbreaking film “Eyes on the Prize”.

She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the Civil Rights Movement. Most recently she received the 2018 “I Am a Man” Award on the 50th Anniversary of King’s assassination. In 2014 Joan and other female Freedom Riders were recognized by President Barack Obama. Joan has also received the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Annual Award of Honor and the Anti-Defamation League Annual Heroes Against Hate Award.

Joan, a graduate of Tougaloo College and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a sought after speaker having presented at major universities, charitable events, government organizations, and the US Congressional Luncheon.