2020 Braven Summit Overview
Join 300+ professionals from across sectors committed to ensuring that the next generation of leaders emerges from everywhere by championing upward economic mobility, diversity, and inclusion for first-generation college students. Whether you’re a corporate professional or an education practitioner looking to cultivate diverse talent, you don’t want to miss a day of insights, networking, and learning at the 2020 Braven Summit, Chicago’s premier thought-leadership event in the college-to-career space!
Programming will include a morning keynote address and fireside chat, a luncheon, and breakout sessions spanning various topics. This year’s programming will help professionals and practitioners gain clarity on the role they can play in ensuring that the next generation of leaders emerges from everywhere. Attendees will learn more about innovations in higher education and the workforce, explore the work happening around complex topics like manufacturing social capital and the health of the Mighty Middle on Chicago’s South and West sides and be provided with the opportunity to network with individuals directly involved in education, recruiting, and diversity and inclusion.
2019 Braven Summit: Put Education to Work
The 2019 Braven Summit convened 300+ thought leaders from across the corporate, higher education, and philanthropic sectors to discuss how to collectively support first-generation, low-income and underrepresented college students on their path to strong first jobs and upward economic mobility.
Put Education To Work
In America, we’ve promised that hard work and ambition will be met with equality of opportunity. The reality is that we have a quiet crisis on our hands. An African American with a BA is twice as likely to be unemployed as their white counterpart. And a Bachelor’s degree holder from a low-income background will start their career earning only two-thirds as much as those from higher-income backgrounds, and this declines to one-half by mid-career.
Locally, through concerted efforts across education institutions, nonprofits and the philanthropic community, the percentage of Chicago Public Schools 9th graders completing 4-year college degrees has risen from a bleak 8% to 18%. Chicago also has the most diversified economy in the US, with more than four million employees and generating an annual gross regional product (GRP) of over $609 billion. In Chicago, Braven has the opportunity to prove that across sectors, students from vulnerable backgrounds can become our next generation of leaders, if they’re empowered with the skills, networks and experiences necessary to put their education to work.
About Braven
Braven supports Fellows from college to career by partnering with universities and employers to offer a two-part experience that begins with a credit-bearing college course followed by a post-course experience that lasts through graduation. Fellows emerge from Braven with the skills, experiences and networks they need to land a strong first job and get on a path to economic freedom. Braven has worked with more than 1,800 students to date at Rutgers University-Newark, San José State University, National Louis University in Chicago and Lehman College – City University of New York.
2020 Speakers
Stay tuned! More speakers for the 2020 Braven Summit will be announced soon.
ANGIE KAMATH
University Dean for Continuing Education and Workforce Development
City University of New York
NICHOLAS PEARCE
Clinical Associate Professor of Management & Organizations
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Schedule
Opening Keynote: Don Katz
Moderator: Star Jones
Panelists: Jim Reynolds, Sandy Reynolds, Don Thompson, Liz Thompson
Public universities are under increased pressure to meet ambitious demands tied to enhancing student learning and employability. Learn from leaders who who are helping to fuel or capture innovation in higher education to drive positive outcomes for untapped students.
Moderator: George Anders
Panelists: Goldie Blumenstyk, Elaine D. Collins, Angie Kamath
Public universities are under increased pressure to meet ambitious demands tied to enhancing student learning and employability. Learn from leaders who who are helping to fuel or capture innovation in higher education to drive positive outcomes for untapped students.
Moderator: George Anders
Panelists: Goldie Blumenstyk, Elaine D. Collins, Angie Kamath
Society is increasingly demanding that companies, both public and private, serve a social purpose and that to prosper over time and compete for talent, companies must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how they’re making a positive contribution to society. Panelists discuss what this means for business as usual and the opportunity this presents for ensuring historically untapped talent gets a fair shot.
Moderator: Nicholas Pearce
Panelist: Beth Gallagher, Seth Green, Jennifer Stredler
Society is increasingly demanding that companies, both public and private, serve a social purpose and that to prosper over time and compete for talent, companies must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how they’re making a positive contribution to society. Panelists discuss what this means for business as usual and the opportunity this presents for ensuring historically untapped talent gets a fair shot.
Moderator: Nicholas Pearce
Panelist: Beth Gallagher, Seth Green, Jennifer Stredler
Individuals with a referral are 9X more likely to get a job. If you grew up in a high-income community, went to a top university and work for top company you’re 12X more likely to have a strong network that can deliver on that referral. How are leading companies getting practical and tactical when it comes to evolving recruiting, hiring and inclusion practices in order to access and retain too often overlooked talent.
Moderator: Meg Garlinghouse
Panelists: Mahnaz Charania, Jenna Karamanos, Jonathan Simon
Individuals with a referral are 9X more likely to get a job. If you grew up in a high-income community, went to a top university and work for top company you’re 12X more likely to have a strong network that can deliver on that referral. How are leading companies getting practical and tactical when it comes to evolving recruiting, hiring and inclusion practices in order to access and retain too often overlooked talent.
Moderator: Meg Garlinghouse
Panelists: Mahnaz Charania, Jenna Karamanos, Jonathan Simon
From the recent work of Raj Chetty, we have new data that illuminates the punishing reach of racism in this country and its impact on Black Americans ability to reach the American Promise. Dr. David Ansell discusses the root causes, their devastating impact and concrete changes Anchor institutions can and must make to ensure Mighty Middle students from Chicago’s West Side are set up for success.
Panelists: David Ansell
From the recent work of Raj Chetty, we have new data that illuminates the punishing reach of racism in this country and its impact on Black Americans ability to reach the American Promise. Dr. David Ansell discusses the root causes, their devastating impact and concrete changes Anchor institutions can and must make to ensure Mighty Middle students from Chicago’s West Side are set up for success.
Panelists: David Ansell
Hosted by Jonathan Chaparro
Keynote Speakers: Crystal Cardenas, John King
Purpose is a fundamental human motive at the root of major markers of success throughout one’s life. Youth with a strong sense of purpose experience greater life satisfaction and physical, mental, and emotional well-being, perform better in school, and have higher rates of college retention; adults with a strong sense of purpose also experience greater life satisfaction, financial and professional success, resiliency, and longevity. Though more than 75% of young adults report that they are searching for purpose and meaning in their lives, less than 50% of adults have a sense of purpose. In this interactive session, participants will consider ways to foster their own sense of purpose and live and work in greater alignment with their Purpose.
This session will provide you with the tools to make the most out of the networking luncheon at the Braven Summit- happening immediately after this session. All students will participate in this engaging session led by one of Braven's master networkers. You'll sharpen your elevator pitch, practice networking, and have a clear plan for your individual networking goal during the luncheon with professionals.
Securing a strong first job is the first step you’ll need to take right after college to continue on your path to greater opportunity. As you secure your first professional job, you’ll have to think about things like salary, benefits, and savings. In this session, learn basic principles for how you can build a solid financial foundation that will set you on a path to financial well-being as you put your education to work.
Recruiters live on LinkedIn: they use this platform to source appealing candidates and get in touch with them. To set yourself up for success in today’s hiring market, you have to live on LinkedIn too. But in addition to showing off your virtual resume, you can leverage the power of LinkedIn to intentionally grow your network and meet the people you want to meet. Learn pro tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile and expanding and managing your network online. You will workshop your LinkedIn profile so that you leave this session with an improved profile ready to show off to the masses.
Hosted by Jonathan Chaparro
Keynote Speakers: Crystal Cardenas, John King
Venue SIX10
Modern & sophisticated, Venue SIX10 offers panoramic views of downtown Chicago & Lake Michigan
FAQ
General Questions
What types of sessions or workshops are being offered?
The Braven Summit will provide a variety of educational offerings for professionals interested in building their knowledge on the latest trends impacting the intersection of higher education and employment. The Braven Summit is great for corporate executives and professionals thinking about ways to increase employee engagement or to better recruit and retain young diverse talent. The Summit is also directly relevant to education practitioners thinking about ways to support students as they transition from college to career. Afternoon programming will also be available for current college students interested in refining their professional skills and networks.
Could I reserve a seat in a specific workshop?
Yes, once you register for the event you are able to select the breakout session of your choice.
What should I wear to the Braven Summit?
Attire is business casual. Meeting room temperatures can be cool, and the climate may vary, so it is recommended that you wear layered clothing for comfort.
How can my organization become a conference sponsor?
Sponsorship opportunities are limited, so act today. To become a sponsor and for more information, please contact summit@bebraven.org.
Registration Questions
When will registration for the 2020 Summit become available?
Online registration will be available in January.
When will the conference take place? Where is it located?
The 2020 Braven Summit will take place March 18, 2020 at Venue Six10 located on Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago’s loop.
How can I register? What are the registration rates?
Participants are able to register online before the event. Please visit the registration page for deadlines, rates, and other registration information.
What is included in the summit registration?
Summit registrants enjoy access to all keynote speakers, breakout sessions, plus one entry to the official luncheon.
What is Braven’s cancellation & refund policy?
Unfortunately, Braven is unable to provide refunds or credit for registrations.
What services are available for special needs & requests?
Braven is committed to providing a Summit experience and environment that is welcoming, inviting, and user-friendly to all attendees. Braven staff recognizes that some individuals require specific accomodation to ensure their full and equal participation. Please contact summit@bebraven.org no later than February 21, 2020 with any requests to ensure those arrangements can be scheduled and confirmed prior to the Summit. If you have dietary preferences, please be sure to mark those on the space provided on the registration form when you register.